GMAC Financial Services posted a $767 million loss for the third quarter of the year, compared to a net loss of $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

“Results in the quarter were adversely affected by losses related to legacy assets in the mortgage operations,” the company said.

Earlier in the financial crisis, GMAC’s capital troubles stemmed primarily from the sinking auto industry, but it appears now that the mortgage business is weighing heaviest on the lender’s numbers.

The company’s auto finance unit posted a profit in the third quarter, while its mortgage operations recorded a deficit.

GMAC is the parent of “Residential Capital LLC”: https://www.rescapholdings.com/ (ResCap), which alone lost $649 million last quarter, and GMAC Mortgage.

The company originated $15.9 billion in new mortgage loans during the third quarter.

As DSNews.com reported last week, GMAC is in talks with government officials. The beleaguered Detroit-based lender is hoping to get a third round of bailout funding to shore up its balance sheet. GMAC has already received $12.5 billion in taxpayer dollars, making the U.S. government its largest shareholder.

The company said in its earnings announcement that its “focus remains on strengthening strategic operations and exiting non-strategic assets.”