Big Brokerage Houses Expected to Post Bad Results
Contrary to some optimistic analysis, the credit crisis has enveloped even more sectors of the financial services industry since the start of the new year. Investors now are second-guessing the value of debt backed by student loans, municipal bonds, commercial real estate and even mortgages issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

 Foreclosures Go Down in November
Foreclosure filings (default notices, auction notices and bank repossessions) showed a a 10% drop in November when compared with the previous month. However, this trend is not expected to last (according to RealtyTrac). This is still 68% higher than November 2006.

 How to Avoid Foreclosure
A homeowner's worst nightmare: foreclosure. Most people who sign up for a mortgage do not intend to abandon it. But unforeseen circumstances or financial hardships can overwhelm even the best-intentioned borrower.

 U.S. Foreclosures Continue to Surge
According to data provider RealtyTrac, new foreclosure activity continued to surge in August, rising 36% from July and more than doubling from a year earlier.

 Steps being taken to avert foreclosures draw controversy
As foreclosures and defaults on home loans rise, mortgage lenders and companies are working out ways to help mortgagers stay in their houses.

 Home foreclosures rise and may continue to increase
A record number of homeowners entered the foreclosure process during the first quarter. The previous high was set in the final quarter of 2006. This stems from the stress on the housing market, according to a report by the MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association).