SEATTLE — Gov. Chris Gregoire has accused the Countrywide Financial company of discriminatory and predatory lending practices that targeted minority borrowers.
She told a Wednesday news conference at the Urban League office in Seattle that the Washington state Department of Financial Institutions is seeking to revoke Countrywide’s license and impose a $1 million penalty.
There was no response right away to a call to the company’s headquarters in Calabasas, Calif., for comment on the governor’s action.
In addition, lawsuits were filed Wednesday by the attorneys general in California and Illinois accusing Countrywide of using unfair practices to get homeowners to apply for risky mortgages.
And the same day Countrywide shareholders have approved a takeover by Bank of America.
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