State to help troubled homeowners; Program would provide $250M for refinancing.
Byline: John J. Monahan BOSTON - Hoping to fend off what he called a nightmare facing many homeowners caught up in the subprime mortgage crisis, the governor yesterday announced a new state-backed program aimed at saving up to 1,000 homeowners from foreclosure and helping them to refinance...

Prevent problem loans.
Byline: The Register-Guard As the subprime mortgage calamity has unfolded, most Oregonians have watched from the sidelines. The state ranks an enviable 48th in the nation in the overall percentage of foreclosures. That's mainly because housing prices have not declined in Oregon, allowing even people with unfavorable...

Public Not That Worried About Mortgage Crisis Affecting Own Finances; But Americans are concerned about impact on economy.
Byline: Magali Rheault Synopsis: In a new Gallup Panel survey, 71% of Americans say they are following the news about the subprime mortgage crisis either very or somewhat closely. Americans also appear to be far more worried about the impact of the crisis on the national economy...

Opportunity seen in stock downturn.
Byline: Lisa Eckelbecker Area investment experts said yesterday their clients are generally handling the tumult in the stock market with calmness. "Once the confidence comes back and things come back, I do think long term we are going to look back and see that as...

MARKET TRACK; Index soars on positive economic outlook.
Byline: Dr. ANNEGIRL G. BERIN Like an answered prayer, the index soared to almost 5 percent during the latter part of the trading week, closing at 3,365.29 Friday, giving the last day of the month a positive exodus. This was anchored on the government's declaration of the...

Catch-up for N.E. economy; Growth said to trail nation's through 2011.
Byline: Martin Luttrell BOSTON - New England's economic growth will be steady through 2011, but will trail the national average, as the housing slump - forecast to extend into next year - keeps Massachusetts and the region from reaching its economic potential, a forecasting organization said yesterday....

MARKET TRACK; PSE index declines sharply on Dow plunge.
Byline: Dr. ANNEGIRL G. BERIN The local bourse plummeted yesterday by as much as 103.24 index points, based on its previous day's performance, closing at 3,281.96, as United States' (US) credit woes still languished in the local stock market arena. Dampened by a 387-point overnight...

Bill targets bad loans; State Senate eyes protection for homeowners.
Byline: Ken Maguire BOSTON - Massachusetts would offer extra protection for homeowners close to losing their houses under legislation endorsed yesterday by Senate leaders, in the latest move to help people after a sharp rise in foreclosures in the state. Mortgage brokers would have to...

Fraud buster; House should follow suit on bill to monitor lenders.
COLUMN: IN OUR OPINION The Massachusetts Senate last week passed legislation that should go a long way toward preventing foreclosures and fraud on the part of lenders. The bill, which still needs House approval, would make willful mortgage fraud a felony. The move is warranted:...

Bruised Asian stocks tumble some more.
TOKYO, Aug. 17 (AFP) -- Bruised Asian stock markets suffered another drubbing on Friday, spiralling ever lower as panicky investors continued to dump shares with no end in sight to the recent turmoil on global markets. An early rally on some markets quickly fizzled out as Tokyo...