IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--To help its associates continue their career growth in the mortgage industry and foster diversity at the company, the Diversity Council of Option One Mortgage Corp., a national residential lender and subsidiary of H&R Block Inc., has awarded scholarships to nine associates. This is the diversity scholarship program's second year.

The recipients will attend a week-long, expenses-paid course of the Mortgage Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking in Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; or Las Vegas. The Diversity Council and senior executives will also honor the awardees at a dinner in Irvine, Calif., in June.

"When we survey our associates, they tell us that they value the opportunities education gives them to advance professionally," said Fabiola Camperi, the senior vice president who leads the Diversity Council. "The scholarship meets that educational need and furthers the goals of the Diversity Council at the same time."

The scholarship program is open to all associates, who were asked to either write an essay or submit a photo essay on diversity.

"It was inspiring to see the commitment to diversity expressed by the associates who entered," said Camperi. "Growing and becoming more self-aware as individuals also helps us grow as an organization and sharpens our ability to provide the best mortgage products and services for diverse customer needs."

The 2006 scholarship recipients are:

-- Luis Benites - underwriter trainee, Loan Production, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

-- Melissa Blank - team leader, Investor Reporting, Irvine, Calif.

-- Suzanne DeBorja - loan consultant, Borrower Assistance Team, Jacksonville, Fla.

-- Charles Campbell - coordinator, Government, Housing and Industry Relations, Irvine, Calif.

-- Cory Clayton - manager, Borrower Assistance Team, Jacksonville, Fla.

-- Melanie Kitchens - underwriter, Loan Production, Phoenix

-- Rebecca Lalande - account manager, Loan Production, Charlotte, N.C.

-- Michael Moradshahi - business relationship specialist, Real Estate, Irvine, Calif.

-- Nan Stothad - learning partner, Human Resources, Irvine, Calif.

The company's Diversity Council was formed to guide associates throughout the organization in living the company's core values. The council examines what diversity means within the organization, seeks ways to ensure inclusion for everyone and determines how to carry that out in its business practices. The council established the scholarship to provide recognition and educational opportunities to associates who demonstrate a commitment to fostering diversity at Option One and/or within their communities.

About Option One

Founded in 1992, Irvine, Calif.-based Option One Mortgage Corp. originates and acquires nonprime residential mortgage products through a national network of brokers and lenders. Option One also services and sub-services nonprime mortgage loans, with more than $70 billion under management at April 30, 2006. Additionally, the company markets a variety of direct-to-consumer mortgage products nationwide through its wholly owned subsidiary, H&R Block Mortgage Corp. Option One employs more than 4,500 associates. It is a subsidiary of H&R Block Inc. (www.hrblock.com), a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax services and financial advice, investment and mortgage products and services, and business accounting and consulting services. For more information about Option One, visit the company's Web site at www.optiononemortgage.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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