In Brief: Aames Chairman Resigns to Write Music

Aames Financial Corp. founder Gary Judis officially left the company, and the subprime mortgage industry, when he resigned as chairman this week.

"I'm closing that chapter of my life," said the 59-year-old Mr. Judis, speaking Monday from his vacation home in Aspen, Colo. "I've had a wonderful business career," the 33-year industry veteran said, "but it's time to get back to my creative roots."

Mr. Judis, who has played piano since he was 6, said he will return to writing classical and jazz music.

Mr. Judis declined to comment on the possibility that Los Angeles-based Aames would be acquired soon. He also said he would no longer participate in Hello, a lobbying trade group for the subprime industry that he helped found. "It's better to leave that to the people who are involved day to day," he said.

For the hundreds of new participants in the booming subprime industry, Mr. Judis had this advice: "Discretion is the better part of valor."

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER