A call center manager in Everett, Washington used many thousands of bogus mail ads to bilk about 1,000 homeowners out of $2.5 million, according to federal charges. So reports the Everett Herald.

Better Mortgage, aka Better.com, has rounded out its C-suite as the company is speculated to be preparing for an initial public offering. So reports TechCrunch.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has announced a lawsuit against Hartford, Conn.-based 1st Alliance Lending and three individuals for allegedly unlawful mortgage-lending practices.