WaMu's Mortgage Unit Takes 1Q Loss

Washington Mutual Inc.'s home loan segment incurred a net loss of $113 million in the first quarter as a result of weakness in the subprime mortgage market, the Seattle-based thrift has reported.The segment recorded net income of $52 million in the first quarter of 2006, WaMu said. The company said its first-quarter gain on sale included net losses of $164 million on sales of subprime mortgage loans and adjustments to reflect declines in market values of loans held for sale. WaMu decreased the value of its subprime mortgage residual portfolio by $88 million, ending the quarter with a balance of $105 million. Overall, WaMu reported net income of $784 million ($0.86 per share) for the first quarter, down from $985 million ($0.98 per share) a year earlier.