Official highlights Bush's role in recovery - 2004-01-17
The U.S. Commerce Department's top economist told a San Francisco business group Friday that the Bush administration merits credit for fast economic growth, previewing what is certain to be a central White House theme in the presidential campaign.

Tax cuts helped. But they were probably less important than a surge in mortgage refinancing, a falling dollar, the end of large-scale fighting in Iraq and the natural swing in the business cycle.
Read the full story at San Francisco Chronicle

Bank Merger: Credit Card and Mortgages at one place - 2004-01-17
Another bank merger, another change of plastic in your wallet. For many consumers who have experienced one bank after the other merge, this era of merging and purging is familiar.

In particular, J. P. Morgan Chase's customers in the Northeast will finally be able to find an A.T.M. in the Midwest, and Bank One's customers will have access to a leading mortgage lender.
Read the full story at New York Times