LV new-home sales break record in '03 - 2004-01-17
Las Vegas continues to be the hottest housing market in the nation, breaking records in almost every category last year, a local researcher revealed.

Smith said 2003 was "a year that took our market to a new level of demand" and could be the benchmark for a number of years to come if mortgage rates rise later this year, resulting in softening consumer demand.
Read the full story at Las Vegas Review Journal

Nashville attracts new bank as BB&T plans local branch - 2004-01-17
A North Carolina banking company with insurance and other offices in the Midstate intends to establish its first bank branch here.

BB&T also has a Nashville capital markets presence. Laureate Capital, its commercial mortgage unit, has a Brentwood office.

The bank has roughly 50 branches in East Tennessee, where it acquired the former Knoxville-based BankFirst Corp. in 2000.
Read the full story at Tennessean