Business Specialties
Economy Watch: COP Says HAMP Remains FUBAR
According to the U.S. Treasury Department and HUD on Wednesday, 2,879 modified loans under the government’s mortgage modification program (HAMP) were “cancelled” in March.
Economy Watch: Bankers Tell Congress They Don’t Like Mortgage Modifications
A variety of bankers–mortgage execs from Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, for instance–put on their best Milton Drysdale faces on Tuesday and told the U.S. House Financial Services Committee that principal reduction for underwater mortgages is a bad idea.
Economy Watch: SF Unveils Green Loans for RE
The city of San Francisco kicked off a program on Monday to offer loans to both residential and commercial property owners to do green retrofits of various kinds.
Economy Watch: Retailers Anticipating Growth?
There’s some indication, including the strong retail numbers in March, that the retail industry is emerging from its coma.
Economy Watch: Retailers See the Green Shoots of Spring
Was it an early Easter — good weather after bad? A comparison to last year’s numbers, which were abysmal all around for retailers? Or were consumers just tired of their belt-tightening, penny-pinching ways, at least for now?
RBC Consumer Outlook: Consumers Down on Economy, More Bullish on Personal Finance
While most Americans believe their local economy isn’t going anywhere in a hurry, there are signs of growing confidence with regard to consumers’ personal financial situations. That’s according to the monthly RBC Consumer Outlook Index.
Economy Watch: Consumers Still Leery of Credit
U.S. consumers continue to pursue an entirely rational approach to the not-quite-over recession, especially that part about continuing high unemployment and underemployment, by cutting back on borrowing.
Kennedy Wilson Hires Verratti, Tightens Focus on Distressed Denver-Area Assets
Real estate services and investment firm Kennedy Wilson is increasing its efforts to acquire distressed assets in the Denver and Western Slope markets through the hiring of Rob Verratti as acquisitions manager.
Economy Watch: Apartments Doing Better, Maybe
Real estate research firm Reis said on Tuesday that the vacancy rate for U.S. apartments was 8 percent in 1Q10.
Ernst & Young: CRE Prices Have Further to Fall
Ernst & Young has a message for the commercial real estate industry: We haven’t hit bottom yet.