Home Capital Group maintains ratings by Standard & Poor's

    TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), a leading credit
rating agency, has affirmed its BBB/A-2 long-term and short-term counterparty
ratings to Home Trust Company and BBB-/A-3 to Home Capital Group Inc.
(TSX:HCG). The outlook on both entities remains stable. The ratings and
outlook have remained the same since S&P's initial rating assignments in
November 2005.
    The ratings reflect Home's continued positive operating earnings and
strong capital and liquidity positions while maintaining no direct exposure to
U.S. subprime or Canadian non-bank asset backed commercial paper. The Company
has continued to realize favourable efficiency ratios through prudent
management of expenditures while maintaining asset quality with a focus on
low-risk residential first mortgages, strong mortgage originations and
effective use of deposit and mortgage insurance programs.
    "These investment grade rating affirmations from Standard & Poor's in
this challenging economic climate acknowledge our track record of success as
one of Canada's leading trust companies, delivering outstanding financial
returns and superior business growth while maintaining a tradition of prudent
risk management," said Gerald M. Soloway, CEO of Home Capital Group Inc. and
Home Trust Company.
    Home Trust Company is the only trust company in Canada, which is not a
subsidiary of a major bank, which has maintained an investment grade rating
from S&P.

    Home Capital Group Inc. is a public company, traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (HCG), operating through its principal subsidiary, Home Trust
Company. Home Trust is a federally regulated trust company offering deposit,
mortgage lending, retail credit and payment card services. Licensed to conduct
business across Canada, Home Trust has offices in Ontario, Alberta, British
Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

For further information: Gerald M. Soloway, CEO, or Nick Kyprianou,
President, [phone], www.homecapital.com