AFP - British lender HBOS failed on Monday to raise almost eight billion dollars from shareholders to boost finances hit by the global credit crisis, forcing the underwriting banks to step in.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp on Monday reported quarterly profit that fell less than expected, causing shares of the largest U.S. retail bank and mortgage lender to soar despite a surge in bad loans.

Reuters - Demand for debt sold by mortgage finance company Freddie Mac weakened on Monday while a prominent analyst estimated Freddie and Fannie Mae, the largest U.S. home funding sources, each need to raise up to $15 billion in fresh capital.

AFP - The nation's biggest mortgage lender HBOS said on Monday that shareholders had agreed to buy just eight percent of its 4.0-billion-pound rights issue.

Reuters - The U.S. economy will need months to recover from a growth slowdown caused by a home mortgage crisis, turmoil in financial markets and high energy prices, Treasure Secretary Henry Paulson said on Sunday.

Reuters - Freddie Mac won approval from regulators on Friday to sell the stock needed to overcome mounting losses, and the Wall Street Journal said the mortgage finance company may seek $10 billion.

AP - Mortgage financier Freddie Mac took a step toward issuing common and preferred stock to help bolster its balance sheet Friday when the Securities and Exchange Commission accepted its registration statement filed earlier in the day.

AFP - US mortgage giant Freddie Mac may attempt to raise capital by selling up to 10 billion dollars in new shares after its stock rebounded this week, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Reuters - Investors snapped up shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae for a second day on Thursday after Freddie pulled off its second successful debt sale following Sunday's announcement of a U.S. rescue plan for the two housing finance companies.