Banks Work to Narrow Cultural Divide with Hispanic Customers - 2004-01-06
When Evelyn Xiomara Moretta wanted to acquire her first home last year, the native of Puerto Rico sought a mortgage from the First Union bank branch in St. Petersburg where she held a checking account.

Once there, she struggled to understand a loan officer's English and puzzled over the paperwork. She paid a $375 fee upfront with no guarantee of approval for the house she coveted: a $68,000 two-bedroom in Kenneth City.
Read the full story at Miami Herald

House prices increased 15.4% on year - 2004-01-06
Housing prices increased by 15.4% in the past year, with a 1.8% rise last month, Britain's biggest mortgage lender, the Halifax, indicated today.

Although this was well down on 2002's 26.4%, Halifax says the average price of a home is now £142,000.

The figures were in line with those reported by Nationwide Building Society last week, which put growth at 1.6% in December and 15.6% for the year.
Read the full story at This Is Money