WaMu, 'Magic' Tout Loan Centers

Washington Mutual, Seattle, has announced the grand opening of three home loan centers and a loan processing center in Houston, the latest phase in its joint commitment with former basketball great Earvin "Magic" Johnson to boost homeownership in underserved communities.The openings also mark the beginning in Houston of Solid Start, a free, four-part financial education and credit building program available in English and Spanish. WaMu said it has now opened 21 home loan centers in seven cities across the country in conjunction with Johnson Development Corp., of which Mr. Johnson is chairman and chief executive officer. Six more are scheduled to be opened this year in Miami, Chicago, Newark, N.J., and Rialto, Calif.