Some of the world's biggest banks were subpoenaed by New York state prosecutors Wednesday to give information about the packaging and selling of subprime mortgages, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing persons familiar with the matter.

The banks, including Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns and Deutsche Bank, were sent the orders for testimony by New York State's attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, as part of a review of the mortgage industry in the wake of the recent subprime-related crisis, the Journal said.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/22110087