How Bank Of America's Countrywide Deal Affects You?

CHICAGO -- If you're among the millions of homeowners who are customers of Countrywide Financial Corp., you're probably wondering how the sale of the troubled lender to financial-services giant Bank of America Corp. affects you.

The answer is, not much. Borrowers shouldn't lose sleep over Bank of America's $4 billion deal to acquire Countrywide, both the companies and outside experts say.

"Loans are closing just as usual," said Cari Kerns, spokeswoman for Calabasas, Calif.-based Countrywide, which originated $408 billion worth of mortgages in 2007 and is currently servicing about 9 million loans worth about $1.5 trillion.

Borrowers with a loan in process or a good faith estimate shouldn't be affected by the deal, Kerns said. "Things won't change for the time being and we are committed to communicating relevant changes to our customers as we move forward."

Bank of America said it plans to operate Countrywide separately under the Countrywide brand. Integration of the company likely won't occur until 2009.

Customers likely won't see sweeping changes, said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, a publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information.

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