LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal grand jury is investigating mortgage lenders Countrywide Financial Corp., New Century Financial Corp. and IndyMac Bancorp Inc., a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press yesterday.

Subpoenas seeking documents have been issued to all three companies, according to the person, who was not authorised to speak publicly about the case and requested anonymity.

The subpoenas are seeking e-mails, phone bills, financial records and other information, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited unnamed people with direct knowledge of the subpoenas in first reporting the investigation was under way.

The grand jury investigation is the clearest sign yet that prosecutors are investigating whether fraud and other crimes might have contributed to the mortgage crisis that led to the demise of all three California-based lenders.

The Times also said investigators also have begun looking at whether Countrywide and its former chairman, Angelo Mozilo, gave mortgage breaks to influential friends, including members of Congress.

Countrywide had been the nation's largest originator and servicer of home loans. Its business included sub-prime loans, many of which went to people with poor credit histories.