Finance company agrees to pay $484 million in lending case

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - One of the nation&#39;s largest lenders will pay $484 million -- including nine million in Georgia -- to settle allegations it cheated consumers on home loans. <br> <br> Household International Incorporated is accused of overcharging borrowers on home equity and similar loans in what officials called a ``pervasive pattern of abusive lending practices.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> State Attorney General Thurbert Baker says more than 15,000 Georgians have taken out real estate loans from Household since 1999. <br> <br> Household settled a narrower complaint with California in January but subsequent settlements in other states led to the nationwide settlement.