Wells Fargo probably doesn't actually own your current loan, but are being paid by Fannie Mae to service it. I know Bank of America unloaded my loan to Fannie

Wells Fargo probably doesn't actually own your current loan, but are being paid by Fannie Mae to service it. I know Bank of America unloaded my loan to Fannie Mae a week after they gave it to me. If that is true, their negative answer to you is probably not predicated on the interest income stream you are giving them now, since they are receiving only some of that. As for withholding payment, here is what I believe. If we assume that Wells Fargo does actually hold your loan, and you stop making payments, the bank has two choices. Foreclose or negotiate. If the value of your house is less than what is currently owed on it, it makes sense for them to negotiate. This is the situation that has allowed this "stop making payments" meme to spread. However, if the value of your house is more than what you owe, and after 6 years, I suspect it is, than I believe they'll foreclose and flip the house.