First Security Lending in Burbank announced that its loan volume in 2004 increased 19 percent versus 2003 to more than $430 million, thanks in part to continued increases in its subprime lending business. The mortgage company’s banking business also exceeded its brokerage business in units for the first time in the company’s nine-year history. First Security’s subprime lending rose to 71 percent of the company’s total loan volume in 2004 compared to 64 percent for 2003. “Even with the fluctuations in the economy over the last decade, the subprime business has remained relatively stable,” said Justin Aldi, First Security’s CEO. The subprime lending market refers to a segment of borrowers whose credit histories or debt ratios generally do not meet the criteria for traditional loans.
