Originators of prime home-equity loans have quite a bit to smile about: volume is on a record pace and, for the most part, analysts like what they see in terms of performance. Inside Mortgage Finance estimates that $204 billion in new HELs – including prime second mortgages and open-end lines of credit – were originated during the first half of the year. That marked a 46.8 percent rise from last year’s midway mark. Overall, the… [One data table included]