Bank of America (BAC) completed nearly 187,000 mortgage modifications through its own programs in 2010, nearly double the 98,000 completed through the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program. Many critics such as the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program have suggested the program’s guidelines are too tight, pushing many homeowners out and into either the bank’s own programs, some other alternative or foreclosure. Republicans even introduced a bill to repeal HAMP, while overseers have called for a “revamp,” instead. BofA’s private to public modification numbers reflect the industry’s. The Hope Now alliance of servicers, investors and nonprofit counselors said this  week a total of 1.24 million modifications were done in 2010, more than doubling the 512,000 through HAMP. Still, BofA said it boosted default servicing staff to about 30,000 in order to meet the record levels of troubled loans. It is increasing face-to-face contact with homeowners, and has established a case management process for some. Roughly 350,000 homeowners now have a single point of contact at BofA, the bank said. “These results represent hope for these homeowners and recognize the tireless and meaningful efforts of our default servicing teams,” said Rebecca Mairone, default executive of Bank of America Home Loans. But there is still work to be done at least with HAMP. BofA holds a large percentage of the amount of trial modifications that have been stuck in that stage for six months or larger, about 12,000. BofA started 102,000 trials through HAMP in 2010. Through November 2010, BofA has canceled nearly 200,000 trials either because of insufficient documentation, redefaults or ineligibility, according to Treasury Department statistics. Of those canceled trials, 45% received a modification through BofA’s own program and 14% entered the foreclosure process. Still, about 53,000 canceled trials still await pending action. This backlog is nearly three times the size of the next closest servicer, CitiMortgage, which has 19,000 canceled trials that are still awaiting a destination, according to the Treasury. Mairone said because of the high amount of delinquent loans and the lingering problems in the economy, not everyone will make it through modification. “Loan modifications will continue to be an important solution, and foreclosure remains an option of last resort,” Mairone said. “But given the realities of the recession and high unemployment, the bank has also dedicated resources to other foreclosure alternatives, including short sales and deeds-in-lieu.” Write to Jon Prior. Follow him on Twitter: @JonAPrior