Deposit Guaranty In Deal to Buy First Mortgage

JACKSON, Miss. - Deposit Guaranty Mortgage Co. has signed a definitive agreement to buy First Mortgage Corp., Omaha.

First Mortgage Corp., with six offices in Nebraska and Oklahoma, services a mortgage portfolio of more than $1 billion. Deposit Guaranty would buy 100% of the Omaha company's outstanding stock.

First Mortgage will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Deposit Guaranty Mortgage but will retain its name and management after the acquisition, with the loan servicing and corporate offices remaining in Omaha.

Alan H. Walters, president, said Deposit Guaranty Mortgage, a unit of Deposit Guaranty National Bank, operates primarily in Mississippi and Louisiana. It services a $2 billion portfolio and is eager to broaden its mortgage banking base, he said.

"First Mortgage is an efficient, well-run company that serves markets that are attractive to us," Mr. Walters said. "This should be a good fit as we are very similar in our management and lending philosophies and operation."

Larry Richling, First Mortgage's executive vice president, said the partnership would be a positive move for its customers, as well.

"Deposit Guaranty is a larger organization with a strong capital base, which will help us as we work to stay abreast of the latest technological trends," Mr. Richling said. "Our company and our customers will benefit from their regional strength, while we retain our local autonomy and control."

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