11.   As interest rates declined late last year, Freddie Mac benefited because more banks wanted to sell their mortgage loans to the company.

12.   At issue are the fees commonly paid by banks when a broker sends them a mortgage loan for a higher-than-normal interest rate.

13.   Because of that risk, lenders and investors in mortgage securities require higher interest rates than if the mortgage loans were not prepayable.

14.   Banks report some softening in demand for consumer and non-residential mortgage loans.

15.   Both banks are mainly traditional savings institutions, using money from savings accounts to finance home mortgage loans.

16.   Both Great Western and Ahmanson are making far fewer new mortgage loans than they did a few years ago.

17.   Aames makes mortgage loans to people with bad credit through its branches, a network of brokers and by buying in bulk from other mortgage lenders.

18.   Aames is a consumer finance business that offers mortgage loans to homeowners.

19.   Aames makes mortgage loans to people with bad credit through its branch network, a network of brokers and by buying in bulk from other mortgage lenders.

20.   Additionally, the costs of gaining control of the property tied to a faltering mortgage loan are much higher in Europe.