//collateral international president nominated to head ginnie mae

January 26, 2006

President George W. Bush has announced his intention to nominate Collateral International's Robert M. Couch, to be President of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae).

Mr. Couch is currently President of Collateral International, a U.S. mortgage company that offers dollar denominated loans to U.S. citizens for the purchase of vacation homes in the major resort areas of Mexico. Mr. Couch served as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) in 2004. Mr. Couch is a certified mortgage banker. Mr. Couch received his bachelor and law degrees from Washington & Lee University.

"Rob's tremendous abilities and high energy level will be a real asset to the federal government and to HUD, in particular, as policies are made to promote home ownership and mortgage lending in the future," said Will Ratliff, Chairman, "Obviously, while we congratulate Rob on this honor and the opportunity it provides him, we will miss him. Rob has made a tremendous contribution on many fronts. In addition to the remarkable growth and progress at Collateral International during his tenure as CEO, Rob has also made significant contributions in strengthening the overall Collateral Family of Companies."

Collateral International (CI) was founded in 1995 to address the needs of U.S. buyers wanting to share in Mexico's cultural wealth and relaxed lifestyle. CI is part of the Collateral family of companies that began in 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama. Our affiliate, New South Federal Savings Bank with over $1.4 billion in assets, is a nationally recognized financial institution that provides loan administration and servicing for CI.