Golden West Financial Corporation, the parent company of World Savings Bank, was a highly regarded residential mortgage portfolio lender that operated from 1963 to 2006. With a reputation for quality lending, ethics, and integrity, Golden West stood out from other mortgage lenders by holding its loans on its own books, employing a risk-averse business model, and using conservative underwriting practices. The company boasted the lowest loan losses in the industry and offered a safer adjustable rate mortgage option for consumers. Notably, Golden West advocated for sound regulation and greater transparency in the banking system, making early warnings to regulators about potential risks.
Golden West Financial Corporation, through its subsidiary World Savings Bank, achieved remarkable compound annual earnings-per-share growth of 20% over 35 years, a record that rivaled Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Recognized as the nation's most admired mortgage services company or savings institution on multiple occasions, Golden West prioritized making high-quality loans over generating high loan volumes. By focusing on low-yield, low loan-to-value loans for a diverse range of borrowers, Golden West avoided subprime lending practices. This website provides original documents and reliable data to illustrate Golden West's successful operating history and its commitment to responsible lending and corporate governance.
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