Construction Spending Falls in February - 2004-04-03
U.S. spending on new construction tapered off in February as residential building slowed, the government said on Thursday.

Spending on private residential construction, which has boomed on low mortgage interest rates, fell 0.3 percent to a $499.17 billion pace from a near record $500.51 billion in the previous month. It was the second straight monthly drop after revisions.
Read the full story at Reuters.com

S'pore banks bet big on mortgages - 2004-04-03
Flush with cash due ti weak corporate demand for loans, Singapore's banks are chasing consumers with low mortgage rates as the prospect of higher prices tempts buyers back into the property market.

Growth area: home loans are the fastest-growing segment of bank lending and account for a third of all credit extended.
Read the full story at Shipping Times