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BofA Chief: Countrywide Deal 'A Go'

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[January 30, 2008]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Bank of America Corp. is moving forward with its purchase of beleaguered mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp., Chief Executive Ken Lewis said Tuesday.

"At this point, everything is a go to complete this transaction," Lewis said at an investor conference in New York.

Lewis' comments came the same day that Calabasas, Calif.-based Countrywide reported a larger-than-expected $422 million loss for the fourth quarter.

"The items driving the loss were consistent with our due diligence and transaction price," Lewis said, adding they reflect a "dramatic" improvement in the fundamentals of the mortgage business.

"Both Bank of America and Countrywide have experienced a significant increase in volume driven by lower interest rates," Lewis said. "The loans both companies are originating are high quality and attractive spreads."

Earlier this month, Bank of America agreed to pay $4.1 billion in stock for Countrywide. But the company's shares are trading around 20 percent below what each would be worth at the current price of Bank of America stock. The spread has led some investors to worry that Lewis could back away from the deal or seek a lower price.

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The deal is expected to be completed in the third quarter.

Countrywide shares were at $6.19 on Tuesday, up 24 cents, while shares in Bank of America were at $42.07, up 88 cents.

Lewis also said Tuesday that Bank of America will not need to raise more capital after completing a $12 billion offering of preferred shares. The bank is rebuilding capital after agreeing to buy Countrywide and spending $24.3 billion to acquire U.S. Trust, Charles Schwab Corp.'s wealth-management specialist, and LaSalle Bank Corp. last year.

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On the Net:

Bank of America Corp.: http://www.bankofamerica.com/

[Associated Press; By IEVA M. AUGSTUMS]

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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