Ameriquest Mortgage Company and Argent Mortgage Company Celebrate Grand Opening of New Schaumburg Facility; New Loan Servicing Center Now Operational

Business Wire, Feb 1, 2005

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Ameriquest Mortgage Company and Argent Mortgage Company commemorated today the expansion of their affiliated servicing operation in Illinois with the grand opening of a new loan servicing center in Schaumburg. Located in the 11-story office tower at Windy Point, 1600 McConnor Parkway in Schaumburg, company executives and newly hired associates were joined by a host of local officials welcoming them to the community.

Argent already employs more than one thousand associates in Schaumburg. The companies' additional expansion, which will ultimately create 2,100 new jobs over the next three years, was announced at a joint press conference with Gov. Blagojevich in November 2004. The new servicing facility is now operational, with 90 associates hired to date.

Al Larson, Village President of Schaumburg, speaking at the event welcomed the new loan servicing associates to the community, stating, "Ameriquest's and Argent's decision to locate in the Village further underscores our commitment to maintain Schaumburg's reputation as a great place to do business. On behalf of the entire Village Board, I am happy to welcome Ameriquest and Argent to Schaumburg."

Adam Bass, senior executive vice president of Ameriquest, said, "Today we celebrate the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership in Schaumburg. We are pleased 90 people have already joined our company and look forward to welcoming many more professionals from the area to fill planned management and mortgage servicing operations positions."

Ameriquest and Argent are part of Ameriquest Capital Corporation, a national financial services company based in Orange, Calif. Ameriquest is a national retail mortgage company and works directly with consumers. Argent is a national wholesale mortgage lender that provides consumer loans through independent mortgage brokers.

About Ameriquest Mortgage Company

Ameriquest Mortgage Company, headquartered in Orange, Calif., is a national mortgage lender committed to helping people achieve their homeownership dreams and financial freedom. To fulfill that mission, Ameriquest originates and services home mortgage loans through more than 280 branch offices across the United States. Ameriquest and its affiliates employ more than 14,000 associates nationwide. For more information about Ameriquest Mortgage Company or to find out about career opportunities, visit the company's Web site at www.ameriquest.com.

About Argent Mortgage Company

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Argent Mortgage Company is a leading national mortgage lender. The company works exclusively with independent mortgage brokers and bankers across the country through loan processing centers in California, Illinois and New York. For more information about Argent or to find out about career opportunities, visit the company's Web site at www.argentmortgage.com.