Real Estate

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Community bank failures are accelerating and some experts believe as many as 100 may go under this year, the most in 16 years. Many of the banks were caught up in lending money to developers to build neighborhood strip malls and other commercial or industrial buildings that in this recession have attracted too few tenants or sit empty.   Full Story

WASHINGTON (AP) - Six Illinois banks and one bank in Texas were shuttered Thursday as government regulators proposed new rules for private equity firms seeking to take over failed banks.   Full Story

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New U.S. home sales dipped slightly last month, in another sign that the housing market recovery is likely to be gradual and   Full Story

NEW YORK (AP) - Regulators on Friday shut down five small banks, boosting to 45 the number of failures this year of federally insured banks. More are expected to succumb in the prolonged recession.   Full Story