Article: NEW INTEREST IN REFINANCING Mortgage activity jumps Fed action has sent interest rates falling to near-record lows

Mortgage lenders saw a spike in refinance applications Thursday as interest rates moved near record lows in response to the Federal Reserve's new plan to boost the sagging housing industry and economy.

Loan applications jumped 75% between Wednesday and Thursday among lenders that use the Web-based mortgage application technology of Mequon's Mortgagebot LLC, said Rick Allen, the company's director of strategy.

"It's cooking. It's got people's attention, and there sure is a lot of activity out there," said Allen, whose firm's technology is used by about 800 banks and credit unions nationwide.

The Wednesday announcement by the Fed that it would buy up to $300 billion of long-term Treasury bonds ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!