Chase Home Finance Adds Two Enhancements to Home Equity Products

Chase Home Finance has rolled out two significant enhancements to its home equity loan products, solidifying its position as an innovator in home equity.

The home finance division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) has added the following enhancements:

* The new Chase EquilineSM Platinum Visa Card. This card allows homeowners in most states to access their home equity line-of credit everywhere Visa is accepted, eliminating frustrating delays or extra paperwork. This time-saving convenience greatly enhances the borrower experience and helps build a competitive advantage for brokers and correspondents.

* A Fixed Rate Lock Option. Borrowers can "lock in" a portion of their line of credit with a fixed rate while keeping their remaining equity balance readily available for other needs. Borrowers may have up to five "locks" outstanding at any given time, customizing their equity into fixed- and variable-rate segments, based on their individual needs and repayment preferences.

The enhancements are especially beneficial for correspondents who want to grow market share by offering a comprehensive range of product choices.

"We work hard to help Chase-approved correspondents become some of the most successful in the nation," said Kimberly Salvo, national sales manager of B2B Home Equity. "The best way to accomplish that is to stay acutely focused on the evolving needs of their customers and deliver market-leading home equity products that exceed their expectations."

Chase Home Finance originates more than $150 billion in mortgages and home equity annually and services a portfolio of more than $500 billion in residential mortgage and home equity outstanding balances. Its parent company, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) was created by the 2004 merger of JPMorgan Chase and Bank One Corp. and is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $1.2 trillion and operations in more than 50 countries.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.