The U.S. Senate approved a bill this week that will give federal investigators new resources and additional funding to combat mortgage crimes and housing scams. According to officials, an estimated 5,000 new mortgage fraud cases are reported every month.

The single-family median home price in Rhode Island fell 25.9 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2008, according to a report released Thursday by The Warren Group, which provides real estate data for the New England area.

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) on Thursday, which showed that rates for fixed-rate mortgages this week lingered at their record lows and those for adjustable-rate mortgages also eased.

At an annual investors meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday evening, Bank of America’s shareholders voted to strip Kenneth D. Lewis of his chairman title. According to a New York Times:http://www.

Waltham, Massachusetts-based Pro-Teck Services announced on Wednesday that the company has hired Andrew Merz for the newly created position of director of training and professional development. The company explained that Merz, who received his masters degree from Arizona State University, will be responsible for creating and conducting programs aimed at enhancing quality and productivity through improved employee and vendor skills.

Green Tree Servicing LLC, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has joined the growing list of mortgage companies officially under contract to provide federal loan modifications through the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program.

No Paws Left Behind, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to and finding solutions for the growing phenomena of foreclosure pets, announced on Tuesday that it has accepted a $16,000 contribution from Blommer Peterman, S.

The Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it has received more than 100 applications from companies interested in serving as fund managers for the legacy securities portion of its Public Private Investment Program (PPIP).

The May 1 deadline for the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) is rapidly approaching. Beginning Friday, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will refuse to purchase mortgages that do not comply with the HVCC regulations for property appraisals.

Potestivo & Associates, P.C., a provider of legal services to the default industry, announced on Monday that Keith H. Werwas has joined the firm as a new associate attorney. Werwas will be working out of the firm’s Chicago office, practicing in the areas of foreclosure, bankruptcy, landlord and tenant matters, title resolution, loss mitigation, and REO disposition.