In an interview with National Mortgage News, former Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago executive Steve Thomas complained about the current lack of product development in the mortgage business.

That is likely because of a reluctance among lenders to create those unique programs outside of the agency and government spectrums especially since Monday morning quarterbacks on the financial crisis blame private offerings for causing the problem.

Thomas is not seeing any innovation even as non-agency mortgages are a growing segment of the marketplace.

But some industry players have made new product announcements or otherwise have programs which are outside of the box when it comes to home lending.

The following is a roundup of some recent news from those looking to help lenders and consumers in different ways.