To save cash, close on home near month's end - 2004-03-19
QUESTION: We are purchasing our first home. The closing date is only a few weeks away.

My Realtor, who is an inexperienced agent, wants to close the first week of the month. But my mortgage loan officer says we should close at the end of this month because it won't cost us so much interest money upfront.

I realize the loan officer's paycheck probably depends on how many loans he closes this month. Who is right? - Pete P.
Read the full story at The Tucson Citizen

Insurance firm fined over mortgage endowments - 2004-03-19
Life insurer Allied Dunbar has been levied £725,000 following "serious flaws" in its procedures for managing complaints over mortgage endowments.

The Financial Services Authority, which imposed the penalty, said failings in Allied's procedures exposed a large number of customers to potential losses.
Read the full story at Ananova