Countrywide Financial Corp. was bought by Bank of America in 2008.

On March 8, 2008, government officials revealed the company was undergoing criminal investigation for securities fraud. In October 2008, it was revealed that the company is also under investigation for offering preferential treatment to selected customers, known as Friends of Angelo after former CEO Angelo Mozilo.KOAA.com: Feds probe Countrywide's 'V.I.P.' program (October 30, 2008)

1. March, 1969: Countrywide Credit Industries is founded
2. September, 1969: Countrywide goes public
3. 1974: First retail Countrywide office opens in California
4. 1980: Countrywide has branches in 40 locations
5. 1985: Stock ticker CCR listed on New York Stock Exchange, Forbes calls it one of the 200 Best Small Companies
6. 1991: Countrywide becomes number one mortgage lender
7. 2002: Renamed Countrywide Financial Corporation (CFC)
8. 2008: Bank of America purchases Countrywide
9. 2008: Undergoes criminal fraud investigation

In March 2008, media revealed that federal authorities had started an investigation of securities fraud at Countrywide. In October 2008, it was revealed that the investigation had expanded to the preferential treatment selected customers allegedly received at Countrywide. The "VIP" customers, nicknamed "Friends of Angelo'" after former CEO Angelo Mozilo, allegedly received discounts on interest rates and other benefits. Friends of Angelo included former Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines and senators Christopher Dodd and Kent Conrad.MSNBC: Feds Probe Countrywide's 'VIP' program (October 30, 2008)