Call In the Feds. Uh, Maybe Not. - 2004-02-29
After selling her house five years ago, L. Yerkes, a 70-year-old widow and real estate agent in Washington State, said she did hesitate about where to invest the proceeds.

As she had done for 30 years, she put her money into securities issued by Metropolitan Mortgage and Securities, a financial services firm in Spokane known for its down-home dependability and generous contributions to community organizations.
Read the full story at New York Times

Stiffer mortgage loan rules for homebuyers - 2004-02-29
Mainland banking officials, frustrated in their actions to taper the country's overheating property market, now are aiming to go after potential homebuyers.

The new strategy is to be carried out through the China Banking Regulatory Commission, which is to launch guidelines urging commercial banks to be very selective in granting mortgage loans.
Read the full story at The Standard