E-loan posts poor results, mortgage refinancing down - 2004-01-30
E-loan Inc. declared dramatically lower revenue and profits for the fourth quarter after its mortgage refinance business slowed down. The company reacted by tapping an accountant to replace a marketer as its number two executive.

The Pleasanton-based maker of consumer loans weathered "a challenging transition period" during the three months that ended Dec. 31, Chief Executive Chris Larsen said in a release.
Read the full story at Contra Costa Times

Economy Grows at 4% Rate in Last Quarter of 2003 - 2004-01-30
The U.S. economy grew at a healthy 4 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year as higher consumer spending, exports and business purchases helped fuel the continuing recovery.

The fourth quarter growth rate was encouraging, economists said, even though it marked a significant slowdown from the torrid 8.2 percent annual rate clocked in the prior three-month period, when tax cuts and a wave of mortgage refinancing sent consumer spending soaring.
Read the full story at Washington Post