Merrill launches mortgage joint venture - 2007-01-31
Merrill Lynch has become the latest bulge bracket bank to growing its mortgage business by creating a joint venture with Irish Life & Permanent, the financial services firm. The US bank has reached an agreement with Irish Life to jointly focus on the origination of residential mortgage loans through a company named Springboard Mortgages. Merrill has expanded its UK mortgage and real estate business actively during the last two years.
Read the full story at Financial News Online US

Economist paints rosy mortgage rate picture - 2007-01-31
Mortgage rates have been gradually going up for weeks, but consumers should not worry about rates surging this year, a well-known Utah economist declared Tuesday. In fact, rates for 30-year mortgages could come down a bit going into the prime home-buying season of spring and summer - perhaps even dropping below 6 percent, said Jeff Thredgold, a Zions Bank consultant.
Read the full story at Salt Lake Tribune