were made at subprime rates in the Southwest and Great Plains states versus more than 18 percent in the Pacific and Northwest states. The group studied mortgages reported by 30 lenders, including market leaders Countrywide Financial Corp., National City Corp. and New Century Financial Corp.

But banking industry representatives warn that comparing mortgage rates from different regions of the country can overstate differences. It is not surprising to find higher rates of subprime loans in remote areas since there tend to be less competing lenders in such areas to help drive rates lower, said James Ballentine, director of housing and community development for the American Bankers Association.

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