COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES EXHIBIT 12.1 - COMPUTATION OF THE RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2003, 2002, ten-month period ended December 31, 2001, and the previous two fiscal years ended February 28 (29) computed by dividing net fixed charges (interest expense on all debt plus the interest element (one-third) of operating leases) into earnings (earnings before income taxes and fixed charges). TEN MONTHS FISCAL YEARS ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED FEBRUARY 28(29), (Dollars are in -------------------------- DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- thousands) 2003 2002 2001 2001 2000 - ------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net earnings $2,372,950 $ 841,779 $ 486,006 $ 374,153 $ 410,243 Income tax expense 1,472,822 501,244 302,613 211,882 220,955 Interest expense 1,940,207 1,461,066 1,474,719 1,330,724 904,713 Interest portion of rental expense 36,565 26,671 16,201 17,745 19,080 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Earnings available to cover fixed charges $5,822,544 $2,830,760 $2,279,539 $1,934,504 $1,554,991 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Fixed charges Interest expense $1,940,207 $1,461,066 $1,474,719 $1,330,724 $ 904,713 Interest portion of rental expense 36,565 26,671 16,201 17,745 19,080 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total fixed charges $1,976,772 $1,487,737 $1,490,920 $1,348,469 $ 923,793 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.95 1.90 1.53 1.43 1.68 ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========