JPM chief says NY job losses insignificant - 2004-01-16
Job losses in New York linked to the J.P. Morgan Chase-Bank One merger "will not be significant," according to William Harrison, CEO of the merged company.

Jamie Dimon, who will be president of the new company, said at an investors conference Thursday that the reduction will be made "hopefully using attrition as our friend." Mr. Harrison conceded at the conference that there will be job losses as the company moves its retail operations to Chicago.
Read the full story at Crains NY Business

Housing market still sizzling - 2004-01-16
The Twin Cities housing market saw a strong 2003, with the median home sale price reaching 8 percent to $199,900 and permits for new homes also rising 8 percent over 2002.

Despite a lukewarm job market, the housing business nationally and locally continued to blossom last year as mortgage rates hit 40-year lows. Many real estate agents and housing experts foresee a robust 2004, though it isn't necessarily expected to be as strong as 2003.
Read the full story at Pioneer Planet