The U.S. Supreme Court dealt state powers a heavy blow earlier this month when it declined to hear Virginia’s petition for review of a court ruling that could make it harder for states to regulate prepayment penalties. The court’s refusal to review Face v. National Home Equity Mortgage Association gave a victory to state-licensed mortgage lenders that elect to make certain loans under the preemptive mantle of the Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act, or AMTPA.