Countrywide Ranked One of the Top 10 Fastest Growing Companies by FORTUNE Magazine

CALABASAS, CA – Countrywide Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services provider and a member of the S&P 500, today announced that FORTUNE Magazine, in its issue dated September 6, 2004, has ranked Countrywide No. 7 in the magazine’s 16th annual list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies.

“Achievement of this prestigious ranking underscores Countrywide’s strength and our vision of dominating the financial services industry while keeping mortgage banking at our core,” said Angelo R. Mozilo, chairman and CEO of Countrywide Financial Corporation.

As of July 31, 2004, Countrywide Home Loans, the corporation’s principal subsidiary, had achieved year-to-date mortgage funding levels in excess of $200 billion. The servicing portfolio hit a record $747 billion, advancing 30 percent from July 2003. In addition, diversified businesses grew at a record pace. For example, the company’s banking unit, Countrywide Bank grew its assets by 103 percent over July 2003 to reach $28.6 billion.

“Overall, we are honored to be recognized by FORTUNE and are eager to continue to put our expertise to work helping Americans achieve their dreams and rewarding the generations that made those dreams possible,” said Mozilo.

About Countrywide Financial Corporation
Founded in 1969, Countrywide Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 and Fortune 500. Through its family of companies, Countrywide provides mortgage banking and diversified financial services in domestic and international markets. Mortgage banking businesses include loan production and servicing principally through Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., which originates, purchases, securitizes, sells, and services primarily prime- quality loans. Also included in Countrywide’s mortgage banking segment is the LandSafe group of companies that provide loan closing services. Diversified financial services encompass capital markets, banking, insurance, and global, largely through the activities of Countrywide Capital Markets, a mortgage- related investment banker; Countrywide Bank, a division of Treasury Bank, N.A., a banking entity offering customers CDs, money market accounts, and home loan products; Balboa Life & Casualty Group, whose companies are national providers of property, liability, and life insurance; Balboa Reinsurance, a captive mortgage reinsurance company; and Global Home Loans, a European mortgage banking joint venture in which Countrywide holds a majority interest. For more information about the Company, visit Countrywide’s Web site at www.Countrywide.com.