At a time when financial institutions are struggling to stay afloat, one Ann Arbor-based mortgage company is growing.

Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group announced it is doubling it's number of offices by expanding service in 11 states including Massachusetts within the next six to eight months.

The company's chief executive officer, Dan Milstein, said his high volume discount mortgage company is growing to meet the mortgage needs of customers at a time when many companies involved in the subprime market shut down. He said even though fewer people are seeking mortgages, there's still a need for quality service. His company, he said, never worked in the subprime market.

"Companies are folding one after another. We were able to take over quite a few companies and hire a lot of individuals with lots of experience,'' Milstein said. "This is the best time to expand."

Gold Star, which opened in 2000, offers services in retail and commercial mortgage loans, insurance, debt consolidation and financial planning. The company has hired 100 employees to its now 280-member staff over the last year, Milstein said.