Lending Industry Modified 134,000 Mortgages in February

Modifications Represented 55 Percent of All Workout Solutions, the Highest Percentage Since HOPE NOW Began Collecting Data


WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - March 30, 2009) - HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, non-profit counselors, and investors that has been working aggressively to prevent foreclosures and keep homeowners in their homes, today announced that its members and the larger mortgage lending industry modified 134,000 mortgages in February, a 9 percent increase over the number of mortgages that were modified in January.

The combination of 134,000 mortgage modifications and 110,000 repayment plans means that, in February 2009, HOPE NOW members and the larger mortgage lending industry helped 244,000 at-risk homeowners (homeowners in danger of losing their homes) avoid foreclosure through one of these two mortgage solutions. This is the first time since HOPE NOW began to compile data in July 2007 that the number of foreclosure preventions has exceeded 200,000 for 6 consecutive months. This is a more than 30 percent increase over the last six months.

According to Faith Schwartz, HOPE NOW's executive director, the mortgage lending industry is working hard to provide multiple options for borrowers to avoid foreclosure. "We expect the trend to continue as many companies expand their offerings to include the administration's Making Home Affordable refinance and modification programs," she said. "The mortgage lending industry is responding to the needs of its customers and offering solutions that are appropriate to the current market and economic conditions," she added.

The HOPE NOW February data does not yet reflect the impact of the Obama administration's recently announced Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan which has not yet been implemented.

The HOPE NOW February data shows:

--  Modifications were more than half of all solutions provided to
    homeowners
    
--  The number of foreclosures started in February increased from 217,000
    in January to 243,000
    
--  Completed foreclosure sales increased from 68,000 in January to 87,000
    in February
    

"Currently 5.5 percent of the total mortgage market is 60 days or more delinquent," Schwartz said. "Because of this, HOPE NOW members are working hard to help the administration implement its recently-announced foreclosure prevention initiative as well as working on additional ways we can be more efficient in helping at-risk homeowners." HOPE NOW continues to reach borrowers through millions of letters, a new, enhanced website at www.hopenow.com, and through homeowner outreach events across the country. For more information, please go to www.hopenow.com.

HOPE NOW collects data each month from 26 institutions. That means that the information is comprehensive and provides an excellent picture of what is happening in the mortgage lending industry as a whole.

A summary table of the results is attached and can be found at http://hopenow.com/press_releases.html

ABOUT HOPE NOW

HOPE NOW is the alliance of mortgage market participants, mortgage servicers, and counselors that is working to help as many homeowners as possible avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. For more information, including a full list of members, go to www.hopenow.com

HOPE NOW coordinates a nationwide campaign to reach homeowners who may be at risk of losing their homes. HOPE NOW members have agreed to make substantial additional efforts to contact homeowners whose mortgages will reset in the coming months and to further expedite the process used to determine how best to keep them in their homes.

The Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a HOPE NOW member, created and operates the Homeowner's HOPE™ Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. The Homeowner's HOPE™ Hotline received 1.1 million calls in 2008. There is no cost to homeowners for contacting a nonprofit counselor by calling 1-888-995-HOPE.

            WORKOUT PLANS (Repayment Plans + Modifications) and
                            FORECLOSURE SALES

                        July 2007 - February 2009


                        BORROWER LOAN WORKOUT PLANS

                               2007 Q3  2007 Q4  2008 Q1  2008 Q2  2008 Q3
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Repayment Plans                 357,900  348,531  314,453  302,565  335,152
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
        Prime                   154,383  160,127  148,814  141,840  179,864
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
     Subprime                   203,517  188,404  165,639  160,725  155,288
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Modifications                    72,773  133,467  170,216  220,349  256,188
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
        Prime                    29,714   36,634   48,148   56,202   70,503
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
     Subprime                    43,058   96,833  122,068  164,147  185,685
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Workout Plans                   430,673  481,998  484,669  522,914  591,340
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
        Prime                   184,097  196,761  196,961  198,042  250,367
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
     Subprime                   246,575  285,237  287,708  324,872  340,973
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

                                                             July
                                                           2007-Feb
                                                          2009 ("Life
                                                          to Date")
                               2008 Q4  Jan-09   Feb-09     Totals
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
Repayment Plans                 349,622  124,766  110,638   2,243,627
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
        Prime                   203,171   77,399   64,605   1,130,203
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
     Subprime                   146,451   47,367   46,033   1,113,424
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
Modifications                   322,105  123,409  133,836   1,432,344
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
        Prime                    91,880   34,669   42,503     410,253
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
     Subprime                   230,225   88,740   91,333   1,022,091
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
Workout Plans                   671,728  248,175  244,474   3,675,971
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
        Prime                   295,051  112,069  107,108   1,540,456
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
     Subprime                   376,677  136,106  137,366   2,135,515
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------



                                            FORECLOSURE SALES
                                2007 Q3  2007 Q4  2008 Q1  2008 Q2  2008 Q3
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Foreclosure Sales               153,408  168,213  203,503  246,192  263,326
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
        Prime                    60,699   64,958   83,352  108,202  130,700
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
     Subprime                    92,709  103,255  120,151  137,990  132,626
                               -------- -------- -------- -------- --------


                                                             July
                                                            2007-Feb
                                                          2009 ("Life
                                                           to Date")
                                2008 Q4   Jan-09   Feb-09    Totals
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
Foreclosure Sales               204,943   68,114   87,346   1,395,044
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
        Prime                   101,230   30,413   55,530     635,085
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------
     Subprime                   103,713   37,700   31,816     759,959
                               -------- -------- -------- -----------


(Workout Plans = Repayment Plans + Modifications)

Repayment Plans: A plan that allows the borrower to become current and
                 catch up on missed payments that are appropriate to the
                 borrower’s circumstances, which involves deferring or
                 rescheduling payments but the full amount of the loan
                 is expected ultimately to be paid and within the
                 original contractual maturity of the loan.

Modifications: A modification occurs any time any term of the original
               loan contract is permanently altered. This can involve a
               reduction in the interest rate, forgiveness of a portion
               of principal or extension of the maturity date of the loan.

Contact Information: MEDIA: Kara Ross 202-683-3117 Kate McGann 202-683-3143 Homeowner Questions: 1-888-995-HOPE