Countrywide Unveils 'Optimum Loan'

Countrywide Home Loans Inc., Calabasas, Calif., has announced the introduction of the Optimum Loan Program, which the company says can "help overcome common obstacles to qualifying for a mortgage loan."The special features of the program address obstacles such as nontraditional credit histories, minimal funds for a downpayment, commission-based salaries that vary from month to month, and high debt-to-income ratios. "Many individuals and families have personal finances and situations that do not easily fit within traditional financing guidelines," said Joe Anderson, senior managing director of Countrywide's Consumer Markets Division. ".... We want the Optimum Loan Program to prompt people to rethink their ability to buy a home." The program is available now via Countrywide's retail division and will be available soon through its wholesale channel. The company can be found online at http://www.countrywide.com.