Shares of Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC) jumped nearly 10% following speculation in The Wall Street Journal that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-A) (NYSE:BRK-B) might be interested in buying parts of the ailing home mortgage lender. His longtime ownership of Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) stock and his recent purchase of shares of Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) only fueled rumors that the Oracle of Omaha might be adding to that cadre. Our online managing editor LouAnn DiCosmo asks senior analyst Bill Mann for the lowdown on the hype.

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Mac Greer does not own shares of any of the stocks discussed. LouAnn DiCosmo and Bill Mann both own shares of Berkshire Hathaway, but none of the other companies mentioned. Bank of America is an Income Investor pick. The Fool has a disclosure policy.