Bank provides Islamic mortgage - 2004-02-24
A High Street bank in Middlesbrough is to offer mortgages which respects Islamic law. Under Islamic law, the receipt and payment of interest is forbidden.

About 4% of the town's population is Muslim but to own a home many are faced with having to compromise their beliefs.
Read the full story at BBC

Disappointing consumer confidence report push stocks down - 2004-02-24
Stocks were lower in a mixed but high-volume session Tuesday as a sharp drop in consumer confidence prompted some investors to sell and others to seek bargains.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan testified on Capitol Hill on the state of federally funded mortgage companies, saying they could pose a threat to the country's financial system if their debt is not restrained through greater regulation. Fannie Mae fell $2.60 to $76.30 and Freddie Mac shed $1.92 to $62.01.
Read the full story at San Francisco Chronicle