Fieldstone Reports 3Q Loss

Fieldstone Investment Corp., Columbia, Md., has reported a loss of $45.0 million ($0.97 per share) for the third quarter, compared with net income of $23.0 million ($0.47 per share) a year earlier.The company, structured as a real estate investment trust, is the parent of nonconforming lender Fieldstone Mortgage Co. Michael J. Sonnenfeld, president and chief executive, said the loss resulted from increased reserves needed to cover delinquencies of the newer loans in its portfolio and continued market pressures on sale margins. Servicing initiatives include accelerated intervention on delinquent loans, engagement of a delinquency- and loss-mitigation monitor for 2006 production, and elimination of high-delinquency products. It is reducing yield-spread premiums and consolidating operations centers. "Our origination initiatives include introduction of new [alternative-A] products, a simplified rate sheet that reflects the actual rates at which we lend, and a new commission plan based on a loan's net value to the company," Mr. Sonnenfeld said. "We have not reduced our credit quality nor changed our pricing discipline to increase originations, and we have eliminated the lowest-credit, highest-risk loans from our guidelines."