The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Wednesday launchedan online tool to provide consumers with easy access to publicmortgage information collected under the Home Mortgage DisclosureAct.

Related: FFIEC Posts HMDA Data

The information provided by the CFPB allows consumers to view2012, 2011 and 2010 metropolitan statistical area and county datathat includes mortgage applications and originations, purchase andrefinance loans, and loans insured or guaranteed by governmentprograms offered by the Federal Housing Administration, theDepartment of Veterans Affairs and others.

“Just as the real estate motto 'location, location, location'was true before the recent financial crisis, it was true for thecrisis. Every community was affected differently,” said CFPBDirector Richard Cordray in a release.

“Our tool puts valuable information into the hands of the publicin an accessible way, so they can understand what is happening intheir local mortgage markets,” Cordray said.

“A more transparent mortgage market will lead to a bettermarketplace and better outcomes for consumers,” he said.

The CFPB does not include information on individual lenders onits site, instead referring consumers to the Federal FinancialInstitutions Examination Council's website foradditional statistics.