China’s Role as Lender Alters Obama’s Visit – By HELENE COOPER, MICHAEL WINES and DAVID E. SANGER – When President Obama visits China for the first time on Sunday, he will, in many ways, be assuming the role of profligate spender coming to pay his respects to his banker.  [...]

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Many observers believe that enacting specific federal legislation governing covered bonds will be essential to foster the development of covered bonds as a funding source in the U.S. The following story — hot off the presses — documents a potentially momentous step in that direction:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney [...]

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The Federal National Mortgage Association, more commonly known as Fannie Mae, recently announced a new program designed to keep mortgage-challenged borrowers in their homes. The Deed for Lease (D4L) program allows qualified borrowers to relinquish the deed to their property and rent their home at the market rate for 12 months.

Our team at [...]

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  HOUSING: Wachovia offers cash to spur homeowners into ’short sales’ – LENDER QUIETLY GIVING $2,500 OR MORE IN INCENTIVES TO AVOID FORECLOSURE – By ERIC WOLFF – Wachovia Corp. is offering its borrowers money for selling their houses short, rather than going into foreclosure.  Homeowners with Wachovia mortgages who [...]

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