Court nixes NYC predatory mortgage lending law - 2004-01-27
The New York State Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a New York City ordinance devised for curbing abusive mortgage lending practices was invalid because it overlaps with state and federal law.

The ruling illustrates the contentious politics surrounding who oversees mortgage lenders.
The law, which was one of the harshest in the country, would have prevented the city from doing business with lenders deemed predatory, or firms that help fund predatory lenders.
Read the full story at Reuters

IT'S TIME AGAIN TO APPROACH YOUR BANK FOR A MORTGAGE RATE CUT - 2004-01-27
Last summer, I suggested that readers contact the bank that is holding their mortgage and, nicely at first, ask for a mortgage renegotiation.

Readers had surprisingly good luck. The idea behind this is that banks, with rates falling, would probably like to keep you as a borrower - especially if you are what they refer to as a "preferred customer."
Read the full story at New York Post