Countrywide's Mozilo honored as 2004 Housing Person of the Year

Mortgage Banking, July, 2004

ANGELO MOZILO, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF executive officer of Countrywide Financial Corporation, Calabasas, California, was honored with the National Housing Conference (NHC) 2004 Housing Person of the Year Award in recognition of his long-standing commitment to reducing the barriers to homeownership for lower income and minority individuals and families.

Countrywide's House America affordable lending program, initiated in 1992, has been responsible for more than $245 billion in residential financing to minorities, low-income borrowers and individuals who live in underserved communities, according to the company. In 2003, Countrywide expanded its commitment to fund a total of $600 billion in home loans through 2010.

"In particular, we commend his leadership in Countrywide's House America program, which has led to the company becoming one of the top lenders to African Americans and Hispanics, a direct result of his clear understanding that we must do more to ensure affordable homeownership opportunities throughout the nation," said NHC Chairman G. Allan Kingston.

Mozilo is a former president of MBA and serves on its Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders, and is on the Board of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.