Bank of America Corp. confirmed Friday that it has agreed to buy Countrywide Financial Corp. for $4 billion in stock, a deal that rescues the ailing Countrywide and makes BoA the largest residential lender in the United States, with a market share of almost 24%. Once their mortgage operations are combined, BoA/Countrywide will service $1.9 trillion worth of home loans, giving it a 21% share in that business. The boards of both companies have approved the sale, which is expected to close in the third quarter. Countrywide is a thrift, BoA a commercial bank. In a statement, BoA said the new company will not originate subprime loans. Back in August BoA bought a small stake in Countrywide, paying $2 billion for it. Now it is buying the entire company for $4 billion. The sale comes after a tumultuous week for Countrywide, a company that is almost 40 years old. Early in the week, bankruptcy rumors sent Countrywide's stock reeling to just $4.43, compared with a 52-week high of $45. The statement issued by BoA does not address the fate of Countrywide's founder, chairman, and chief executive, Angelo Mozilo. Mr. Mozilo, 70, was expected to retire at year's end.
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The 250 top mortgage originators in 2025 brought in high volumes despite less than ideal conditions. Check back in the following days for 150-51, the top 50 and the final full list, with further cuts of the data to be published thereafter.
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A National Mortgage News/Snapdocs survey of 100 lenders found 90% use some form of what could be considered a digital closing, up from 74% two-years ago.
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In its latest financial stability report, the Federal Reserve found that asset prices continue to exceed underlying fundamentals and leverage levels remain high, especially by hedge funds.
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The Long Island-based regional bank, which reported another quarterly loss Friday, continues to hire in the commercial-and-industrial lending sphere as it seeks to diversify its commercial real estate-heavy business.
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The lender's parent also said it is actively in preparation to move forward on plans to unlock equity value in 2025, with a Newrez spinoff among its options.
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