HomeSide Lending was sold in 2001 to Washington Mutual for $1.9 billion. In addition to the purchase Washington Mutual agreed to service HomeSide's $187 billion mortgage servicing portfolio, representing approximately 2 million customers.

With the purchase of HomeSide Lending from its parent company, National Australia Bank Ltd., Washington Mutual becomes one of the largest residential mortgage banks in the United States.

Washington Mutual is a retailer of financial services that provides a diversified line of products and services to consumers and commercial clients. At December 31, 2003, Washington Mutual and its subsidiaries had assets of $275.18 billion. Washington Mutual currently operates more than 2,400 consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking, consumer finance and financial services offices throughout the nation.