Regulators file charges against failed bank's ex-president, associate - 2004-02-20
The ex-president of a failed bank will be dealt civil and administrative charges filed by federal regulators, who also froze more than $4 million he took out from the bank after investigators showed up there earlier this month.

The Office of Trust Supervision, a Treasury Department agency which closed the single-branch Dollar Savings Bank last Saturday, said Robert DeMane and an associate, Larry Marro, set up unauthorized mortgage operations outside the bank's lending area.
Read the full story at AP via New Jersey Online

Mortgage lending up, strong retail sales add to pressure - 2004-02-20
The news coincided with better than expected retail sales which will support the call to raise rates in an attempt to keep a lid on consumer spending.

Yesterday, the British Bankers' Association said that mortgage lending in January had risen at its fastest pace since November 2001 as people take advantage of interest rates which are still at historically low levels despite two recent rate hikes.
Read the full story at Yorkshire Post