US home sales rise 9.4 percent in September

WASHINGTON -- U.S. home resales rose far more than expected last month to the highest level in more than two years as buyers scrambled to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires.

Source:Associated Press
US home sales rise 9.4 percent in SeptemberBy ALAN ZIBEL , 10.23.09, 10:05 AM EDT

FDIC’s Bair: Bank Failures Will Continue at a ‘Good Clip’ This Year

Banks have stabilized since the collapse of Lehman, but “failures will continue at a good clip” this year and next, FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair told CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo Tuesday.

source; http://wallstreetpit.com/10389-fdics-bair-bank-failures-will-continue-at-a-good-clip-this-year; editor

FHA Announces Several Policy Changes. Adopts HVCC Guidelines

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced several significant policy changes that are intended to improve their exposure to risk. The changes, effective January 1, include.


source; http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09182009_drastic_fha_guideline_changes.asp
Adam Quinones

Treasury says millions more foreclosures coming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Only 12 percent of U.S. homeowners eligible for loan modifications under the Obama administration's housing rescue plan have had their mortgages reworked, and millions more foreclosures are coming, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.

source; By Glenn Somerville http://www.reuters.com/

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5883S620090909

Mortgage Applications, Loan Rates Fall

Mortgage applications fell for the first time since July, according to a report released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Last week's 2.2% seasonally adjusted decline in applications, compared to the week prior, came despite a drop in mortgage rates. Fixed rate 30-year mortgages averaged 5.15% last week, down from 5.24% a week ago, the MBA said. Applications for loans to refinance and purchase also pushed lower, falling 3.1% and 1.0%, respectively, when compared to the week prior.

source; Kathryn Glass
FOXBusiness http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/real-estate/mortgage-applications-loan-rates-fall/s

AG Settles With Defendant In Foreclosure Rescue Scheme

Attorney General Martha Coakley has settled a suit with Marie Bettie Mereus, a straw buyer who participated in a massive foreclosure scheme targeted at troubled homeowners facing foreclosure.

source; Banker and Tradesman

http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news134537.html

Unemployment rate jumps to 9.7 percent

WASHINGTON - The unemployment rate jumped almost half a point to 9.7 percent in August, the highest since 1983, reflecting a poor job market that will make it hard for the economy to begin a sustained recovery.

sources; associated presshttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32689068/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

‘Troubled’ banks jumped to 416 from 305

WASHINGTON - With bank failures rising, the government’s deposit insurance fund fell 20 percent to $10.4 billion in the second quarter as U.S. banks lost $3.7 billion.

Source: Associated Press

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32580851/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/