MPs ataack insurance chiefs' bumper pay rises - 2004-01-28
The chief executives of Britain's larggest insurers were yesterday criticized by MPs for accepting bumper pay rises at a time when millions of homeowners are facing shortfalls on their mortgage endowments.

They were told that increases in salary of up to 70% between 1999 and 2002 were "way out of line" when their policyholders were suffering as a result of deep cuts to policy bonuses and final payouts.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited

California Home Prices Increase by 19.4 Percent - 2004-01-28
The median price of an existing home in California in December jumped 19.4 percent as buyers hurried to make the deadline for tax deductions as well as take advantage of continued low interest rates, said real estate experts.

Thirty-year fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 5.88 percent during December 2003, down from 6.05 percent for the same month in 2002, according to Freddie Mac.
Read the full story at Miami Herald