Leading Site Maintains No. 1 Position in 'On-Site Resources' And 'Novice Home Buyer' Categories

CALABASAS, Calif., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., a national leader in residential finance and the number one online mortgage originator, has received top scores for both the "On-Site Resources" and "Novice Home Buyer" categories in the Fall 2001 Gomez Proprietary Internet Scorecard. Gomez, a leading provider of e-commerce customer experience measurement, benchmarking and customer acquisition services, releases the scorecards quarterly.

"This is our sixth consecutive quarter in the number one position for on-site resources and novice home buyers," said Andy Bielanski, Managing Director of Countrywide's Marketing Department. "We were also awarded the number two ranking in the 'One-Stop Home Buyer' category, confirming the effectiveness of strategies employed during the recent redesign of our home page. These scores demonstrate that Countrywide's Internet presence is strong and lasting. In fact, Countrywide e-commerce fundings accounted for nearly 50% of total business in July alone."

Gomez' mortgage industry scorecard also ranked Countrywide.com number two overall, moving the lender up the ladder from its number four position during the prior quarter. The Fall 2001 quarterly scorecard rankings add to the list of honors bestowed for Countrywide's industry-leading use of technology. In June 2001, the firm was listed among the top Web innovators in the InternetWeek 100 E-Business Leaders annual selection. Countrywide was also included in the InformationWeek 500, a ranking of the nation's leading information technology innovators.

Countrywide.com offers consumers access to the company's full menu of loan products. In addition, existing customers can track their account and make monthly payments online. Links to the Web sites of the company's affiliates such as Countrywide Insurance Services and Countrywide Investment Services are also provided.

Founded in 1969, Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc. (NYSE: CCR), is a member of the S&P 500, providing consumer and business-to-business financial services in domestic and international markets. Consumer businesses include mortgages, insurance and other financial products. Business-to-business activities encompass capital markets, transaction processing and insurance. The company is headquartered in Calabasas, California, and, in conjunction with its affiliates and subsidiaries, has more than 14,000 employees with over 500 offices.

Other principal subsidiaries include Full Spectrum Lending, Inc., a sub-prime residential lender; LandSafe, Inc., a loan closing services provider; Countrywide Insurance Services, Inc., a full service insurance agency; Countrywide Capital Markets, Inc., a mortgage-related investment banker; and Balboa Life & Casualty, a national provider of property, liability and life insurance. In addition, Countrywide holds a majority interest in Global Home Loans, a European mortgage banking joint venture.

For more information about the company, visit Countrywide's Web site at http://www.countrywide.com

SOURCE:
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.