The credit crunch has driven dozens of lenders out of the student loan market. But a number of new Web sites are trying to sidestep the traditional players, facilitating loans between students and anonymous investors or even friends and family members. ...more

June 4, 2008

Existing home sales fell for the eighth time in the past nine months, a string of weakness expected to continue as the housing industry, mired in its worst slump in decades, battles falling home prices, tight lending conditions and a weak economy. ...more

May 23, 2008

Student loan companies, squeezed by the credit crisis, are getting some help from the federal government. ...more

May 22, 2008

The New York Times once epitomized all that was great about American newspapers; now it symbolizes its industry's deep malaise. ...more

May 10, 2008

When Tiffany Duffie makes out her $995 rent check each month, she tucks a little money away in the family's house fund. ...more

May 3, 2008

TAMPA -- When Tiffany Duffie makes out her $995 rent check each month, she tucks a little money away in the family's house fund. For the past year and a half, the family of four has rented a two-bedroom unit at The Pavillions at Ballast Point in south Tampa. They love the location, near MacDill Air Force Base, where her husband is stationed. They look out on mature trees from a small patio where they keep the children's bicycles and outside toys. Money is tight, and Duffie said she fears that if her rent goes up, they won't be able to save for a down payment on a home. And because of the credit crunch, she worries the family might not qualify for a mortgage. "I really want a house," she said. "I want a yard for my kids. It would be so nice to have something to call your own." As the economy weakens, more people who would have qualified for home loans a few years ago no longer do. And scores of homeowners losing their homes in foreclosure are turning to apartments. Others who could qualify for a mortgage are opting for luxury apartments instead, seeking to wait out the housing bust. The mixture is starting to heat up Tampa Bay's apartment market, which has struggled to fill thousands of units the past couple of years as renters rushed to buy homes. Anticipating increased demand, developers are shifting focus, too, from home building to apartment construction. There are 3,646 units either under construction or recently completed in Hillsborough and Polk counties, according to Triad Research & Consulting. Another 12,300 units are proposed for construction this year or next in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, the firm said. ...more

May 2, 2008

TAMPA -- January was a tough month for home sales in the Tampa Bay area. ...more

February 25, 2008

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its projection for economic growth this year, citing damage from the double blows of a housing slump and credit crunch. It said it also expects higher unemployment and inflation. ...more

February 21, 2008

Improved efficiency has helped airlines better prepare for a possible global economic slowdown compared with the last major recession, but expensive fuel continues to hurt bottom lines, an airline industry group said Monday. ...more

February 19, 2008

If you plan to rent an apartment in Tampa Bay area, you soon may have more options, but you'll have to fork over more money in rent, two area apartment builders said Wednesday at the International Builders' Show in Orlando. ...more

February 14, 2008