FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, please contact:

Karmela Lejarde

703-761-1274

With concern about their mortgages on the minds of many American homeowners, MERS today launched MERS FOR HOMEOWNERS, an online resource designed to help homeowners identify the mortgage company handling their mortgage loan.

"For most people, their home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Yet many homeowners do not realize that the mortgage company responsible for servicing their mortgage loan is likely to change over the life of the loan," said R.K. Arnold, President & CEO of MERS. "It is important for homeowners to know which mortgage company has the authority to accept their mortgage payments, and where to remit their hazard insurance premiums and real estate taxes. Because more than 60 percent of mortgages in the United States are registered on the MERS® System, we are in a unique position to assist homeowners in this area."

This section of the MERS website is specifically designed to help consumers identify the mortgage company that handles their mortgage loan through two vehicles: the web-based MERS® Servicer ID and the phone-based MERS Servicer Identification System (888-679-6377). In addition, the site provides information about the responsibilities of the mortgage company that services mortgage loans and what homeowners should know about the servicing process.

"Since its inception, MERS has provided toll-free telephone access to the loans registered on the MERS® System," added Arnold. "Recently we made this information available online through MERS® Servicer ID. But 'MERS FOR HOMEOWNERS' has taken it one step further by explaining how the information is helpful."

Before calling the Servicer Identification System or accessing MERS® Servicer ID online, homeowners must have the following information ready: the mortgage loan's Mortgage Identification Number (MIN); or the borrower's name and social security number; or the property address.

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