Press Release: Cendant Corporation
October 12, 2000
PARSIPPANY, NJ -- The Real Estate Division of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) yesterday announced the launch of
ERA® Mortgage, a private-label mortgage brand that aligns one of the nation's largest mortgage loan originators
with one of the industry's leading real estate franchise systems.
The launch completes the alignment between Cendant Mortgage and Cendant's real estate franchise systems (Century
21®, Coldwell Banker® and ERA®). In doing so, this private labeling initiative leverages the strengths
of Cendant's Real Estate division and enhances the consumers' home-buying experience.
``The unique position that Cendant has in the real estate industry enables us to create opportunities such as ERA
Mortgage to deliver value to our franchise affiliates,'' said Richard A. Smith, chairman and CEO of the Cendant
Real Estate Division. ``With our market presence through ERA, Coldwell Banker and Century 21 -- as well as Cendant
Mortgage and Cendant Mobility -- no other company can bring this kind of added value to brokers, sales associates
and consumers.''
For prospective homebuyers, ERA Mortgage combines the value of expert guidance of an ERA Real Estate professional
with the guaranteed services of one of the industry's premier home financing leaders.
``ERA Mortgage gives consumers a new level of convenience during the sometimes stressful home-buying process,''
said Peter Burgdorff, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate. ``Working closely with our brokerages, we have successfully
created another advantage for real estate professionals affiliated with ERA.''
``Combining our customer service guarantees -- which are unsurpassed by the industry -- with the power of association
with ERA and its sister companies, we can now make a compelling presentation to those considering their next home
purchase,'' said Terry Edwards, president of Cendant Mortgage. ``We are confident that our guarantees to beat any
competing lender's price*, deliver a same-day loan decision and meet the customer's closing date** will make choosing
ERA Mortgage an easy decision for consumers.''
About Cendant Corporation
Cendant Corporation is a global provider of consumer and business services. Cendant's core competencies include
building franchise systems, providing outsourcing solutions and direct marketing. As a franchiser, Cendant is the
world's leading franchiser of hotels, rental car agencies, tax preparation services and real estate brokerage offices.
Cendant's Real Estate Division includes: nearly 12,000 residential real estate offices and more than 200,000 sales
associates operating under the CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, and ERA® brand names; Cendant Mobility,
a global leader in corporate and government employee relocation with over 2,000 corporate clients; Cendant Mortgage,
the 6th largest retail mortgage originator in the United States, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, with $25
billion in loans closed in 1999; move.com, Cendant's relocation, real estate and home-related services portal on
the Internet; and Welcome Wagon, the nation's most extensive neighborhood greeting service. In addition, Cendant
Internet Group is aggressively pursuing a convergence strategy for the Company's off-line and online businesses.
Headquartered in New York, NY, the company has nearly 28,000 employees and operates in over 100 countries. More
information about Cendant, its companies and brands may be obtained by visiting Cendant's Web site at http://www.cendant.com
or by calling 877-4INFO-CD (877-446-3623).
* A customer must provide a complete, system generated Good Faith
Estimate, listing a specific lender's name, that is dated the same day
as the rate quoted by Cendant. If such Good Faith Estimate indicates an
equivalent or lower interest rate and closing costs package, for the
same loan program that is offered by Cendant and Cendant has verified
the accuracy of the rate and fees listed then Cendant will have the
option of beating that lender's total loan costs by $100 or paying the
customer $250 ($500 for properties located in California) when they
close with that lender and provide Cendant with a copy of the signed
Note and Final HUD1 Settlement Statement.
** Approved, conventional, purchase loans only.
SOURCE: Cendant Corporation