Optimal Blue: Boston-Area Mortgage Demand Started Year Strong
New mortgage application data is signaling homebuyers are reentering the market amid gradual decline in interest rates, setting the stage for another year that drives home prices up.
HBI Sells Mattapan Property to Urban Farm Institute
After restoring an 18th-century Mattapan farm, Historic Boston Inc. completed its sale to an urban farming organization.
UMass Boston, Three Others Join Mass Fintech Hub
UMass Boston, the University of Rhode Island, nonprofit engineering consultancy MITRE and fintech LoanSpark have joined Mass Fintech Hub to be a part of the financial technology community in the state.
Union Square Developer Pauses 1.6M SF Green R&D Project
At neighborhood meetings last fall, residents objected to Rafi Properties’ proposed building heights of up to 245 feet, plans for 1,252 parking spaces and loss of arts and cultural space.
Milton Zoning Vote Postponed Despite Snow Storm Fizzle
Milton residents were originally scheduled to hit the polls today to vote on overturning or keeping a transit-oriented zoning package approved by Town Meeting late last year.
Treasury Proposes New Anti-Money Laundering Rules for Investment Advisers
The Biden administration is rolling out new recordkeeping rules for U.S. investment advisers in its continued effort to clamp down on money laundering, illicit finance and fraud in the American financial system.
Healey Aims to Tackle Transpo Financing ‘Head On’
While a new panel of government officials, business leaders transportation activists and commuters prepare for another round of investigation into how the state should fund roads and transit, Gov. Maura Healey will keep an open mind – including around the possibility of new or increased taxes.
Berkshire Bank Hires Former SVB Private Banker
Amid regional banks’ race to capture business among Boston’s affluent, Berkshire Bank has hired a former Silicon Valley Bank executive to boost its private banking business in the region.
Inflation Is Nearly Back to 2 Percent. So Why Isn’t the Fed Ready to Cut Rates?
From Wall Street traders to car dealers to home buyers, Americans are eager for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates and lightening the heavy burden on borrowers.
Cochran Retires as Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union President and CEO
Under his 17 years at the helm, Mark S. Cochran doubled the credit union’s membership to 100,000, increased staffing by 48 percent and grew assets from $600 million to $2.1 billion.
Community Good Works
Hanover-based Rockland Trust, through its charitable foundation, gave $20,000 grant to Root NS for its youth culinary job training program. See who else gave back.
MountainOne Insurance Acquires G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency
MountainOne Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of MountainOneBank based in North Adams, has expanded its customer base in Western Massachusetts by acquiring G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency, Inc..
Charlestown Neighbors Challenge Hotel Conversion
Charlestown neighborhood residents are heading to court in an attempt to block conversion of a former Navy Yard hotel into supportive housing.
Citizens Bank Hires Two Private Banking Execs, Opens Boston Office
After launching its private bank and hiring around 200 bankers last year, Citizens Bank is hiring two key executives to further grow its wealth management business.
Potential Cambridge Development Site Sold for $12.5M
A Chestnut Hill real estate investor acquired an office and retail property near Cambridge’s Porter Square for $12.5 million.
Fort Point Offices Eyed as Shelter Space
Fort Point neighborhood residents and a Boston city councilor are seeking details from Healey administration officials on the state’s consideration of a Fort Point office building to serve as a temporary migrant shelter.
Feds Roll Out Money Laundering Rules for All-Cash Home Sales
All-cash purchases of residential real estate are considered at high risk for money laundering. The rule would not require the reporting of sales to individuals.
Needham Bank, Parent Firm Appoint New CFO
Needham Bank and its holding firm NB Bancorp Inc. appointed a new chief financial officer, Jean-Pierre Lapointe, effective Feb. 1.
NAR Prez in Boston: Agents Must ‘Adapt’ on Commissions
Speaking at a Lamacchia Realty conference in Boston Feb. 1, the new president of the National Association of Realtors declared that the traditional rules of agent commissions are “going to change” in the wake of a $1.78 billion lawsuit.
Developer Proposes Lab Project Near Wellington Circle
A contaminated industrial site near Wellington Circle would be redeveloped as a lab complex under a proposal by an Acton developer.
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