U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis says demand for loans is lower than the bank's appetite to lend, which turns the conventional wisdom on its head.

With the global economic downturn intensifying in the past two months, the Government is today announcing a comprehensive package designed to reinforce the stability of the financial system, to increase confidence and capacity to lend, and in turn to support the recovery of the economy.

British prime minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling will hold a press conference in 10 Downing Street at 09:00 GMT on Monday 19 January.

The Senate and House of Representatives have come to agreement on an Economic Stimulus Package. This stimulus package offers a unique opportunity for first-time Latino homebuyers on their quest to purchase a new home.

On April 29, dozens of the most innovative technology startups in finance and banking will gather at the FinovateStartup conference in San Francisco to showcase the future of banking, lending and finance.

Bank of America, N.A., LaSalle Bank N.A. and LaSalle Bank Midwest N.A., announced today that they are lowering their prime-lending rates to 6.50 percent from 7.25 percent, effective January 22, 2008.

Countrywide says "Our fourth quarter ended with a number of positive operational trends," said David Sambol, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Total loan fundings were $24 billion for the month of December, up slightly from November 2007 and ahead of our forecasts. This pushed our fourth quarter fundings to $69 billion, also exceeding our expectations.

Quick SMS loans will now be harder to obtain. After much discussion over the drawbacks of the loans, Swedbank have made an agreement with the loan company that slows down the procedure.

It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and spend more than you should. But with the gift giving season behind us and your credit card bill looming, the reality of overspending has likely started to set in. Don’t panic – here are a few helpful tips from LendingTree.com to help ease your holiday debt hangover:

Bank of America Securities, a unit of the big Charlotte, N.C., bank, estimates that $85 billion in subprime mortgages are resetting during the current quarter.

Another sad story about a mortgage company collapse. Lehman Brothers said today that it will shut down BNC Mortgage LLC due to market conditions.