Given the rationale, provide a reasonable question and answer. Step-by-step reasoning process: The relevant sentence in the passage is: In 2008, Bank of America purchased the failing Countrywide Financial for $4.1 billion.
The question and answer:
Bank of America Home Loans is the mortgage unit of Bank of America. In 2008, Bank of America purchased the failing Countrywide Financial for $4.1 billion. In 2006, Countrywide financed 20 % of all mortgages in the United States, at a value of about 3.5 % of United States GDP, a proportion greater than any other single mortgage lender.

When did countrywide merge with bank of america?
The answer is 2008