Mortgage Player Countrywide becomes primary dealer with Fed - 2004-01-15
Countrywide Securities Corp., a division of Countrywide Financial Corp. and one of the biggest U.S. mortgage lenders, officially joined the ranks of 22 other big broker-dealers that transact with the New York Federal Reserve in its day-to-day monetary policy implementation.

The move by Countrywide Financial is part of its attempt to broaden its business away from mortgage lending.
Read the full story at Reuters

Former Owner of Norfolk, Va., Hotel Recieves Jail Sentence for Mortgage Scam - 2004-01-15
The ex-owner of the defunct Town Point Motel was sentenced Wednesday to six months in prison following his conviction in a $1.9 million mortgage fraud scheme.

Gunvantray Z. "Gary" Patel, 60, previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. He could have faced up to 30 months in prison but was granted leniency because of his cooperation with authorities. That cooperation, officials said, likely will lead to additional charges against other individuals.
Read the full story at Miami Herald