Mortgage Lion, Inc. - Wholesale - Agency, Jumbo, Constr-to-Perm

Brokers have forwarded the following announcement from Mortgage Lion, Inc. (view cached) regarding the cessation of their wholesale business:

In light of current economic conditions and in accordance with the goals of our parent company, Mortgage Lion is exiting the wholesale lending business, effective immediately.

Important guidelines regarding your pipeline:

• New file submissions will only be accepted for loans with a current rate lock.
• Rate locks for all loans currently approved by underwriting will be accepted through Friday, November 7th at 5pm EST.
• The last day to fund all transactions will be 12/1/08.

Based in Fitzgerald, GA and a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitalSouth Bank, Mortgage Lion is self-described as "THE niche lender" for Florida "specializing in Jumbos, ARMS, Construction-Perms and true common sense underwriting." CapitalSouth was issued a Cease & Desist Order on 2008-10-29 to "strengthen oversight of the operations of the bank and its subsidiary, Mortgage Lion" according to The Huntsville Times.

"In August, CapitalSouth Chairman and CEO Dan Puckett said the bank expected to face enforcement action after bad loans had more than doubled since December to $35 million. That was more than the bank's $29.8 million in stockholders' equity, retained earnings and the amount shareholders contributed as paid-in capital."

CapitalSouth reported a loss of nearly $5.3 million for the third quarter, and is in the process of raising additional capital to shore up its balance sheet according to MarketWatch. Nonperforming assets were reported at over $47.8 million.

Average origination volume for 2007 is listed at just over $15 million per month. Previous monthly volume had peaked around $22.5 million in 2005. Employment numbers were not available at the time of this listing.

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