Revenue More Than Doubles to $531.2 Million
$500 Million Share Repurchase Program Announced

ATLANTA, Oct. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation, (NYSE:OCN), a leading financial services holding company, today reported Net income of $67.0 million, or $0.44 per share, for the third quarter of 2013 compared to Net income of $51.4 million, or $0.37 per share, for the third quarter of 2012. Ocwen generated revenue of $531.2 million, up 128% from the third quarter of 2012. Income from operations grew by 32% to $185.0 million for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to $140.0 million for the third quarter of 2012.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is $188.9 million, or $1.27 per share, as compared to $115.6 million, or $0.84 per share, for the same period in 2012. Revenue in the first nine months of 2013 increased 144% from the first nine months of 2012 to a total of $1.48 billion.

Pre-tax earnings on a GAAP basis for the third quarter of 2013 were $76.3 million, a 6% decline as compared to the third quarter of 2012. Ocwen's normalized pre-tax earnings for the third quarter of 2013 were $147.0 million, an 82% increase from the third quarter of 2012. Ocwen incurred a total of $70.7 million in normalized expenses in the third quarter of 2013. There were no normalizing items in the third quarter of 2012.  

"Ocwen's revenue growth and cash-flow remain very strong with revenue from our existing portfolio trending ahead of projections," commented Bill Erbey, Ocwen's Chairman. "Notwithstanding our record revenues, revenues were suppressed due to delays, that have now been resolved, in boarding the OneWest transaction. As expected, margins were below historical levels due to the timing involved in transitioning ResCap and OneWest. We have been quite cautious in our servicing transfers making certain that we have sufficient resources to support the transition of these portfolios. In the case of OneWest, we were fully-staffed well in advance of boarding the loans. We feel very comfortable that once we have completed the ResCap transition to the Ocwen technology platform, we will return to our historical margins. Prepayment rates fell substantially in the quarter, which bodes well for future revenues. The Company's current pipeline of potential new business opportunities remains at about $400 billion in unpaid principal balance (UPB). We anticipate that at least $100 billion in UPB will be awarded by sellers before the end of the year."

Share Repurchase Program

Ocwen's Board of Directors has authorized a $500 million common stock share repurchase program. Ocwen's priorities for deployment of excess cash are: (1) supporting the growth of the Company's core servicing and lending businesses, (2) expanding into similar or complimentary businesses that meet the Company's return on capital requirements and (3) repurchasing shares. The purpose of this plan is to provide a tax efficient way to return cash to shareholders when it is deemed the shares are attractively priced.

Mr. Erbey commented, "Ocwen is substantially under-levered compared to our peers. The Company's additional debt capacity combined with the ability to raise new capital from sales to Home Loan Servicing Solutions ("HLSS") or sales of prime mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), as demonstrated by recently completed sales, provide ample resources to fund growth and share repurchases. Our new share repurchase program is another step towards increasing overall returns on equity."

Unless Ocwen amends the share repurchase program or repurchases the full $500 million amount by an earlier date, the share repurchase program will continue through July 2016. Purchases may be made on market or in privately negotiated transactions. Ocwen may use SEC Rule 10b5-1 plans in connection with its share repurchase program. No assurances can be given as to the amount of share repurchases, if any, Ocwen may make in any given period. Any repurchase of shares of common stock that have been issued as a result of the conversion of our Series A perpetual convertible preferred stock from the holders of such preferred stock will not count towards the $500 million threshold.    

Third Quarter 2013 Business Highlights

• In August and September, OneWest transferred to Ocwen MSRs for approximately $30 billion of UPB related to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans. Most of the non-agency portfolio of approximately $42 billion of UPB is scheduled for transfer and close on November 1^st.
• On July 1 and September 1, Ocwen completed the boarding of $3.0 billion and $2.0 billion of UPB, respectively, for a total of approximately 32,800 loans, of non-prime subservicing from a large financial institution.
• On July 1, 2013 in preparation for the acquisition of OneWest and other transactions, Ocwen sold $2.4 billion of servicing advances and the rights to receive the servicing fees on loans with a UPB of approximately $83.3 billion to HLSS. After repaying match-funded advance facilities, Ocwen netted cash proceeds of $662 million.
• On September 30 and October 15, Ocwen sold MSRs for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans with a UPB of approximately $2.5 billion while retaining a subservicing contract, with final cash proceeds to Ocwen of approximately $34.8 million. The sale had a negligible impact on third quarter earnings, and the gain, which amounted to $5.2 million, will be amortized over the estimated life of the subservicing agreement.
• On September 23, holders converted 100,000 shares of the Series A Perpetual Convertible Preferred stock into 3,145,640 shares of common stock. On the same date, Ocwen repurchased all 3,145,640 shares of the newly issued common stock for $157.9 million or $50.19 per share of common stock. This conversion will save approximately $0.9 million in future quarterly preferred dividend charges.
• Completed 32,051 loan modifications, a 14% increase over the second quarter 2013. HAMP modifications accounted for 48% of completed modifications.
• Deferred servicing fees ("DSF") related to delinquent borrower payments amounted to $500.5 million at the end of the period. Ocwen does not recognize DSF as revenue until collected, and it does not accrue DSF on its balance sheet.
• The lending segment overall generated $5.7 million of pre-tax income on $33.5 million of revenue. Ocwen's Homeward lending operation originated approximately $1.4 billion of fundings with another $142 million originated via partnerships. Liberty Reverse Mortgage had a negative contribution to pre-tax income of $3.2 million. 
• Generated Cash flow from operations of $143 million.  
• Total effective tax rate of 12.2%.

Subsequent Events and Updates

• On October 25, 2013, Ocwen sold servicing advances and the rights to receive the servicing fees on loans with a UPB of approximately $10 billion to HLSS. Ocwen received net cash proceeds of $309.4 million. Proceeds are anticipated to be used for the remaining OneWest MSR and the Greenpoint MSR acquisitions. The Greenpoint MSR is approximately $8.3 billion of UPB and is expected to close in December 2013.

"Ocwen completed 32,051 modifications, which is a record high for the Company, and over 6,000 short sales and deeds-in-lieu during the third quarter," said Ron Faris, President and CEO. "Ocwen continues to seek sensible modifications and other loan resolutions that help struggling families while providing more cash-flow to mortgage investors. We are proud to have one of the best pre-foreclosure resolution rates of any servicer. The superiority of Ocwen's servicing was once again confirmed in a recently published report by Moody's that tracked over 1 million loans in default at the end of 2008 through mid-2013. Ocwen's overall performance ranked number one. These results are possible because of the unique capabilities embedded in our industry leading servicing platform." 

Mr. Faris continued, "The integration of legacy ResCap loans onto the Ocwen platform began in the third quarter with the movement of over 340,000 non-agency loans. While this represents only 22% of the legacy ResCap platform loans, these loans represent approximately 33% of legacy ResCap delinquent loans accelerating our ability to apply our programs to those loans that most need attention. Our plans call for further monthly transfers from the legacy ResCap platform through May 2014. As per our original plan, this will result in an extended period of transition-related costs."

"While boarding of the OneWest portfolio has been slower than usual, it is otherwise proceeding according to plan. The addition of the OneWest portfolio should also be beneficial to our lending segment as it will provide additional HARP opportunities. The Company projects that lending will generate approximately $18 to 22 million in pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $5.7 million in the third quarter, assuming interest rates and other factors remain at current levels."

About Ocwen Financial Corporation

Ocwen Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the servicing and origination of mortgage loans. Ocwen is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has additional offices and operations in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, the United States Virgin Islands, India, the Philippines and Uruguay. Utilizing proprietary technology, global infrastructure and world-class training and processes, we provide solutions that help homeowners and make our clients' loans worth more. Additional information is available at www.Ocwen.com.

Webcast and Conference call

The Company will host a webcast and conference call on Thursday, October 31, 2013, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the third quarter of 2013.

The conference call will be webcast live over the internet from the Company's website at www.Ocwen.com, click on the "Shareholder" section.  A replay of the conference call can also be accessed by dialing 1-203-369-1218 after 12:01 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 31, 2013, until 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2013. 

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the characteristics of our servicing portfolio, including prepayment speeds along with delinquency and advance rates; our ability to grow and adapt our business, including the availability of new loan servicing and other accretive business opportunities; our ability to successfully modify delinquent loans, manage foreclosures and sell foreclosed properties; our ability to effectively manage our exposure to interest rate changes; uncertainty related to general economic and market conditions, delinquency rates, home prices and disposition timelines on foreclosed properties; uncertainly related to acquisitions, including our ability to integrate the systems, procedures and personnel of acquired companies; as well as other risks detailed in Ocwen's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon. Ocwen undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Performance Measures

This news release contains references to "normalized" results and "adjusted cash flow from operations," which are non-GAAP performance measures. We believe these non-GAAP performance measures may provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. Non-GAAP performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Further information regarding these measures and reconciliation to GAAP may be found on Ocwen's website.

CONTACT: Stephen Swett or Brad Cohen

         T: (203) 682-8200

         E: shareholderrelations@ocwen.com

         or

         John V. Britti

         Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

         T: (561) 682-7535

         E: John.Britti@Ocwen.com