Bloomberg - "KB Home Loss Narrows as Cost Cuts Beat Revenue Drop" (6-26-09)

"KB Home, the Los Angeles-based homebuilder that targets first-time buyers, reported a narrower second-quarter loss as the company cut expenses faster than revenue dropped. The net loss was $78.4 million, or $1.03 a share, compared with a loss of $255.9 million, or $3.30, a year earlier, KB Home said today in a statement. The company was expected to lose 63 cents a share, according to the median estimate of 13 analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Revenue fell 40 percent to $384.5 million while the company slashed expenses by half."

Bloomberg - "Bonds Beat Loans for Banks Driving Down Yields" (6-26-09)

"Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Evans knows why Ben S. Bernanke is having so much trouble pulling the economy out of its worst financial calamity since the Great Depression. Deposits at the San Antonio-based bank are growing a record 20 percent this year while loans shrink for the first time since mid-2007. Business owners are 'being extremely cautious,' said Evans, who is pumping depositors’ money into Treasuries and municipal bonds"

Orange County Register - "Lose your job? These folks can pay your mortgage" (6-26-09)

"The program, initiated by Star Real Estate, protects buyers who purchase homes but lose their jobs within two years. The homeowner can get up to $1,800 a month for six months to help pay the mortgage."

Orange County Register - "Is paying off a mortgage the best option?" (6-26-09)

"If you took $100,000 out of an account where it is earning 1% or 2%, it reduces your annual income by $1,000 or $2,000. Using it to pay the loan off would save $5,375 in interest. This is very attractive so I would strongly consider it."