NovaStar CEO and co-founder, CFO to retire

NEW YORK, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Novastar Financial Inc NFI.N on Wednesday said Scott Hartman, its chief executive and co-founder, was leaving the company and retiring from its board of directors and that Gregory Metz, its chief financial officer, will also leave.

The troubled subprime mortgage lender named Lance Anderson, the company's other co-founder and its current chief operating officer, to succeed Hartman effective January 3. Rodney Schwatken, now vice president -- strategic initiatives, will take over as CFO.

(Reporting by Christian Plumb)