Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC), the nation's #1 home loan lender*, today announced the signing of three-time tennis Grand Slam champs and #1 ATP ranked doubles players Bob and Mike Bryan to a multi-year endorsement deal.

The agreement calls for the Bryans to wear the Countrywide logo during all of their matches and make several appearances annually on behalf of the company, including attending events for Countrywide's principal charity, Rebuilding Together, whose national mission is to preserve and revitalize houses and communities. Countrywide will have a presence on the Bryan's Web site, http://www.bobandmike.com. The company's headquarters in Calabasas, CA is just 25 miles from the twins' hometown of Camarillo.

"We are proud of our partnership with the Bryan brothers. When it comes to tennis, the Bryans are a class act and the very best tennis has to offer. In the same way, Countrywide represents the best in class in mortgage lending," said Countrywide's Andy Bielanski, senior managing director of Marketing. "We love the enthusiasm and energy they bring to tennis and this sponsorship. It is a winning combination for both sides."

This year, Countrywide becomes the title sponsor of the "Countrywide Classic," the 80th annual Southern California event that is part of the ATP Circuit and the US Open Series. The historic tournament is held each summer at the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA and benefits the Southern California Tennis Association. The Bryans have twice captured the title in 2001 and 2004 and have committed to play in the 2006 tournament to be held July 24-30.

"We're thrilled with our relationship with Countrywide," said Bob Bryan, "and winning the Australian Open was an ideal way to begin our association!" His brother Mike added, "The fact that Countrywide is a Southern California neighbor, and the new title sponsor of our 'hometown tournament' in Los Angeles -- for which we're the two-time defending champions -- is particularly nice."

The Bryans, the world's # 1 doubles team two of the last three years and #1 going into 2006, carved their name in the tennis history books last year, becoming only the second team in 50 years to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in one season. They captured the 2006 Australian Open for their third career Grand Slam title. Their first Grand Slam crown came at Roland Garros in 2003. They won at least five titles for a fourth consecutive year, in an ATP-best 11 finals. They won seven titles in 2004, and helped the U.S. to their first Davis Cup final since 1997 by going 4-0. They own 27 career doubles titles as a team.

*About Countrywide Financial Corporation

Founded in 1969, Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC) -- America's #1 home loan lender as ranked for 2004 by Inside Mortgage Finance (Jan. 28, 2005), Copyright 2005 -- is a member of the S&P 500 and Fortune 500. Countrywide, through its subsidiaries, 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 residential loans. The company is headquartered in Calabasas, California and has a workforce of more than 54,000 individuals and over 800 offices worldwide. For more information about the company, visit Countrywide's Web site at http://www.countrywide.com.

Source: prnewswire