"Avoid Foreclosures Before the Mortgage Is Made," Edmunds Says

WASHINGTON, June 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunTrust Mortgage President & CEO Sterling Edmunds, Jr. issued the following statement in conjunction with the launch of the National Foreclosure Prevention Awareness Campaign announced today by NeighborWorks(R) America and The Ad Council.

"Foreclosures are a problem facing homeowners and lenders alike.  Because we want every homeowner to stay in their home regardless of whom their lender is, SunTrust Mortgage is very proud to partner with NeighborWorks(R) and its efforts to help Americans do just that."

"At SunTrust Mortgage we know the best time to avoid most foreclosures is the moment we first sit down with potential customers to discuss their home purchase.  Training our loan officers to counsel homebuyers to find a mortgage product that best meets their needs, with a payment schedule they can manage is our priority. This is just one reason our foreclosure rate in 2007 has been around half the industry rate."

"That said, our commitment to responsible lending means we have a social responsibility to address the growing foreclosure problem and the pain it causes to everyone involved.  We are  proud to partner with a national campaign that reaches into the homes of families all over America."

SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunTrust Bank, one of the nation's largest commercial banking organizations. As of March 31, 2007, SunTrust Banks, Inc.  had total assets of $186.4 billion and total deposits of $123.4 billion. Headquartered in Richmond, VA, SunTrust Mortgage originates loans through 182 locations in SunTrust markets and adjacent states, maintains correspondent and broker relationships in 49 states, and services mortgage loans in 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.


CONTACT:  Jim Hines of SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., +1-202-661-0747



Web site:  http://www.suntrust.com/