Mortgage companies lost $560 per loan in 2007 - MBA

NEW YORK Oct 7 (Reuters) - U.S. mortgage companies lost an average $560 on every loan originated in 2007 as operating expenses rose, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Tuesday.

The loss per loan is up from $50 on 2006, and extends a downward trend that began in 2004, the MBA said in its annual cost study.

The net cost to originate a home mortgage last year increased to $2,655 from $2,476 in 2006, it said. (Reporting by Al Yoon; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)