Total first-lien mortgage holdings among banks and thrifts increased by 0.7% from the end of March to the end of June. During the first quarter, the depositories slightly reduced their mortgage holdings. (Includes data table.)

Carrington Mortgage Services said one of the changes included lowering the eligibility threshold for an alternative-documentation borrower to a FICO score of 550.

Industry experts suggest that mortgage lenders educate themselves on fraud red flags and ensure proper safety procedures are in place.