NEW YORK (AP) - Two New York mortgage-brokerage firms have agreed to pay $665,000 in restitution after it was found that they charged higher fees to black and Hispanic borrowers.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office says HCI Mortgage and Consumer One Mortgage charged 455 black or Hispanic borrowers higher fees than white customers in similar situations. The firms collectively operate more than 20 branches throughout the state.

"The blatant discrimination in this case is as illegal as it is inexcusable," Cuomo said in a prepared statement. "These customers were charged significantly higher fees for no reason other than being a minority - something that is explicitly against the law in New York state. Today's agreements will put in place the necessary controls to ensure mortgage brokers comply with the law and offer fair and legitimate rates to all New Yorkers."

Fees charged by mortgage brokers are discretionary and subject to negotiation. However, state and federal laws prohibit brokers from charging more based on a customer's race or ethnicity.

The companies did not immediately comment on Cuomo's announcement. The attorney general also announced a federal lawsuit against a third company, U.S. Capital Funding LLC, accused of the same thing.