Countrywide Bank Expands Florida Presence With the Opening of a New Financial Center in Tampa

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Countrywide Bank, N.A., today announced its continued national expansion with the opening of a new financial center in Tampa, Florida. Further solidifying the company's presence in the region, this opening complements the seven existing centers, located throughout the state. The Tampa financial center is located at 15004 North Dale Mabry Highway.

"We have created a cost-effective delivery channel to offer consumers what they value most -- consistently high rates on deposit products and personalized customer service," said Tim Wennes, chief operating officer for Countrywide Bank. "Florida residents have been very responsive to this unique offering, warranting this additional expansion in Tampa."

Since its launch in 2001, Countrywide Bank has grown from $75 million in assets to nearly $80 billion, and now ranks among the top banks in the nation*. The company's distinctive business model leverages parent company Countrywide Financial Corporation's existing infrastructure. The unique low-overhead strategy of providing small, expertly staffed financial centers instead of large, costly, traditional bank branches helps pass the savings on to consumers in the form of higher-rate CDs and other savings products.

Countrywide, through its family of companies, offers consumers diverse products, including high-rate CDs, money market and retirement accounts, as well as home loans and quality investment and insurance products.**

Countrywide Bank's innovative financial centers offer access to free professional counseling from banking experts. In addition, customers can check today's rates, access account information and open new accounts via telephone at 1-877-CWBANK-5 or by visiting the Countrywide Bank Web site, http://www.countrywidebank.com/.

About Countrywide Bank

Countrywide Bank, N.A., is a member of the Countrywide Financial Corporation family of companies. Countrywide Bank offers consumers highly competitive rates on certificates of deposit and money market accounts and, through its family of companies, also offers quality investment products.** Customers can review banking products and services, check rates on deposits, and apply for new accounts by phone, online, or at one of the financial centers located throughout the country. In addition, the company offers the same superior rates and unsurpassed personalized service to its business customers through its Premier Business Banking and Commercial Banking Divisions. For more information about Countrywide Bank, visit http://www.countrywidebank.com/. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

*Based on current assets and other banking data reported to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) quarterly.

** Investment and insurance products are not deposits, not FDIC insured, not guaranteed by any bank, not insured by any Federal Government agency and may lose value.