UPDATE 3-U.S. foreclosures jump, trending higher-RealtyTrac

(Reuters) - Foreclosure filings in the first half spiked from the same
period last year to 925,986 as many overstretched borrowers
have been caught between rising interest rates and falling home
prices. The Federal Reserve has cited the faltering housing
market as the biggest risk to economic growth.




The foreclosure filings were also up more than 30 percent
from the previous six-month period, at a rate of one filing for
every 134 U.S. households, said RealtyTrac, an online
marketplace for foreclosure properties.


Read more at Reuters.com Economic News

U.S. regulators stymie mortgage lenders again

(Reuters) - Rising foreclosures following five heady years of mortgage
lending prompted regulators to write guidelines they say will
curb risky lending practices and protect consumers. The move
followed last year's clampdown on issuance of "exotic"
mortgages, including interest-only loans.




The Federal Reserve and four other regulators on Friday did
not bend to industry concerns that the guidance on subprime
loans would stifle an industry already in the throes of
crisis.


Read more at Reuters.com Government Filings News