Greenspan suggests household balance sheets in 'good shape' - 2004-02-23
American households' finances are generally in decent shape even though consumers have accumulated mountains of debt and bankruptcy filings have jumped, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Monday.

Consumer debt hit a record $2 trillion in December, according to the most recent figures of the Federal Reserve. That debt includes credit cards and car loans, but not mortgages.
Read the full story at Modesto Bee

UK could get hit with 'housing bubble' - 2004-02-23
UK house prices could be vulnerable to a 30% fall, City firm Durlacher has predicted. The firm warned the growth of buy-to-let investment meant the UK housing market was looking like a bubble.

"Buy-to let is more dangerous than its small share of the overall market would indicate," the report said.

"40% of buy-to-let deposits are from remortgages of existing properties and this has helped crowd out first time buyers."
Read the full story at BBC