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Bank of America Neuters Countrywide?

by Morgan on April 22, 2008

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CNN reports that Bank of America will eliminate all but the most sound mortgage products as it attempts to complete its takeover of Countrywide. Countrywide was made famous by its option ARM and other non-traditional products which have clearly back-fired. Which begs the question – why Countrywide mortgage at all?

Bank of America announced that the main asset that they wanted from Countrywide was the midwestern retail bank operations where BofA is currently lacking (and the massive servicing customer base), so it makes sense that with their booming retail business they aren’t working hard to make sure that Countrywide’s mortgage-units have a product worth selling.

From the CNN report on Bank of America exiting the risky-mortgage biz:

Bank of America says it will alter its mortgage product menu once it completes its acquisition of mortgage lender Countrywide Financial.

Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) says it will offer traditional mortgages that fit government-sponsored enterprise guidelines. It will also offer interest-only fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages that have long reset periods to lessen the likelihood of short-term payment spikes.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank will not originate subprime mortgages or loans that allow customers to make payments for less than the monthly interest due.

Last 3 posts by Morgan

Related posts:

  1. Bank of America to buy Countrywide for $4 billion in stock
  2. Bank of America says “No more garbage loans!”
  3. Bank of America Bets on Countrywide
  4. Bank of America completes Countrywide purchase
  5. Bank of America Exits Wholesale Lending…For Now??

  • ann
    Imagine all those borrowers who are sitting with MTA loans that they are going to need to refi...!!!(will need proof of income, jumbo rates and who knows what products will be available?)

    I expect to see alot of luxury McMansions going up for sale and into foreclosure...most of those homes were purchased using this product...
  • ann - so true. these people that financed with loose guidelines are going
    to lose their homes - i don't care what their FICO score is.
  • dad394
    6 months from now, the option ARM (if it still exists) may look like an attractive loan. The 12 Month Treasury Average index is heading down, and will continue to go down. The one year Treasury is currently at around 1.7%, and as long as that rate stays low, the option ARM based on that index will look pretty good!
  • i think "if it still exists" is the operative phrase!
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