BOSTON – August 7, 2007 – MassHousing announced today that Leader Bank is now an approved lender of MassHousing's MassAdvantage™ family of affordable home loan products to low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Arlington, Cambridge and surrounding communities served by Leader Bank.

"Leader Bank has steadily grown and prospered since opening in Arlington in 2002 and we are happy to welcome Leader Bank as a MassHousing-approved lender,'' said MassHousing Executive Director Thomas R. Gleason. "With branches in Arlington and Cambridge, Leader Bank will be a great partner in MassHousing's mission of providing affordable mortgage loans to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.''

MassHousing, a quasi-public authority charged with increasing affordable home ownership opportunities in Massachusetts, does not originate its own loans. As a MassHousing-approved lender, Leader Bank will be able to originate MassHousing's MassAdvantageâ„¢ home mortgage loans for income-eligible homebuyers. These loans have low- and no-down payment options and below-market interest rates that can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year and thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Borrowers who put less than 20 percent down on a home receive MassHousing's MI Plusâ„¢, an enhanced mortgage insurance policy that helps pay the borrower's mortgage for up to six months in the event they lose their job. Leader Bank will also offer MassHousing's MyCommunityâ„¢ loans for borrowers with more moderate incomes that make too much to qualify for MassAdvanageâ„¢ loans.

"Leader Bank welcomes the opportunity to partner with MassHousing to deliver affordable home mortgage programs to first-time homebuyers in our community,'' said Sushil K. Tuli, President of Leader Bank. "We are proud to be approved by MassHousing and excited to have new financing solutions available for our customers. We are looking forward to helping more families realize their dream of home ownership with affordable financing options available through MassHousing."

To qualify for a low-cost MassHousing MassAdvantageâ„¢ loan, a one- to two-person household in Arlington can earn up to $84,100 and a buy a single-family home or condominium for up to $428,000. Arlington households with three or more people can earn up to $96,700 and potentially qualify for a MassHousing loan.

A one- to two-person household in Cambridge can earn up to $92,500 and buy a single-family home or condominium for up to $428,000. Cambridge households with three or more people can earn up to $105,000 and potentially qualify for a MassHousing loan. Income limits and home purchase price limits vary from region to region. For a complete listing of eligibility criteria, visit www.masshousing.com/homebuyer.

About MassHousing
The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, now doing business as MassHousing, is the leading provider of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Since 1970, MassHousing has provided more than $10.6 billion in financing for more than 97,000 units of mixed-income rental housing and more than 54,000 mortgage loans for homeowners. For more information, visit the MassHousing website at www.masshousing.com.

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