Banks

Bank Doesn't Need Proof it Owns Your Mortgage to Foreclose in Colorado

Starting in 2002, the Colorado legislature began to make it easier to foreclose on properties in Colorado. Original loan documents are no longer required to prove the bank actually owns the property.
1 October 2011 - 1:00pm
The Denver Post

Bank-Owned Foreclosures Cause Problems for Cities

As bank-owned homes become a source of blight and crime, cities struggle to effectively hold banks accountable for their maintenance. Large banks tend to be the worst offenders, often failing to remove trash and weeds or paying fines.
10 September 2011 - 1:00pm
Contra Costa Times

Cleveland's Land Bank Fights Blight of Foreclosures

With a high rate of foreclosure, Cleveland instituted a land bank to rein in rampant vacancies. After two years, the program has made some headway.
30 August 2011 - 8:00am
NPR

Property Loans Dry Up in Chinese Cities

Banks in China have stopped accepting loan applications for property in the country's second- and third-tier cities in an effort to curb inflation.
26 July 2011 - 1:00pm
China Daily

L.A. tries to Sue Superbank 'Slumlord'

The city of Los Angeles is attempting to sue Deutsche Bank, the owner of thousands of foreclosed and blighted homes in the city. If it works, other cities could follow.
7 May 2011 - 9:00am
Marketplace

Mortgage Headache Spawns Legislation in California

Mortgage debt is crippling the housing market all over the country, and the homeowners who've taken on more debt than they can afford. Now, real estate interests and banking interests are battling over legislation intended to ease the pain.
23 June 2010 - 6:00am
The New York Times

Bank Rule Change Could Help Struggling Neighborhoods

A new rule proposed by federal regulators would allow bank investments made for neighborhood stabilization efforts and donations of foreclosed properties to be count towards compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.
20 June 2010 - 7:00am
Reuters

How Portland Sold Its Banks on Walkable Development

Finding financing is one of the biggest challenges for transit-oriented development. How did Portland convince its lenders to get on board?
25 May 2010 - 2:00pm
Streetsblog

A Bust to Follow China's Building Boom?

The economic stimulus of China has focused billions of dollars on building skyscrapers. Some wonder whether a building bust may soon follow.
9 March 2010 - 6:00am
Business Week

Bank Lending Habits Hurting TOD

Transit oriented development is having a hard time taking hold in Salt Lake City. Some say the parking preferences of lenders are to blame.
12 October 2009 - 1:00pm
The Salt Lake Tribune

The Planetizen News Brief - 4/9/09


5:25 minutes (5.01 MB)

Foreclosed homes and abandoned propoerties are becoming a big problem for homeowners, banks and cities. Hear why on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing every week on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, listen or download.

9 April 2009 - 5:00am

Banks Abandoning Foreclosed Homes

In cities across the country, banks are ditching out on foreclosed homes, giving more worries -- and bills -- to homeowners.
6 April 2009 - 8:00am
The New York Times

Banks Exacerbating Foreclosure Crisis

Banks and financial institutions are making the foreclosure crisis worse, as lobbying efforts seek to block bankruptcy courts from gaining more power to reduce debt, according to this article from Der Spiegel.
17 February 2009 - 11:00am
Der Spiegel
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