Freddie Mac, one of the nation’s largest government-sponsored enterprises, reported on Thursday that its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows long-term mortgage rates holding somewhat steady for the period ending May 10.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has launched an updated version of its Home Loan Learning Center (www.homeloanlearningcenter.com) to help consumers more effectively identify mortgage loans in the marketplace that fit their needs.

Richmond, Virginia-based LandAmerica Financial Group Inc., a provider of real estate transaction services, has appointed Michael D. Beverly to the position of senior vice president-associate general counsel and corporate secretary.

Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania-based Default Research Inc., a real estate research company, says investors stand to benefit from new foreclosures in the Seattle, Washington area. In fact, Default Research’s latest report went as far as calling King County, Washington (Seattle area) the crown jewel for real estate investors.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Street Resource Group Inc., a provider of technology solutions and consulting services, launched the Warehouse Information Network (WIN) this week. The addition of WIN brings the promise of a membership-based collaborative effort that offers automated risk mitigation services, shared industry information databases and forums for the exchange of ideas on issues related to mortgage warehouse lending.

NeighborWorks® America, along with a variety of other lending institutions and mortgage banking representatives, introduced the first set of National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling on Wednesday.

Calabasas, California-based Countrywide Financial Corp. reported on Wednesday that mortgage loan funding for the month of April increased 11 percent when compared to the same period a year earlier. Despite the increase, the company did report a 4 percent decline in monthly nonprime mortgage originations when compared to 9 percent last year.

Bellevue, Washington-based DepotPoint, a technology company that is introducing new foreclosure solutions in the marketplace, says it has secured $4 million in Series B investment from Trident Capital to invest in its existing TrackPoint Application Suite and ForeclosurePoint.

Troy, Michigan-based Fabrizio & Brook P.C., a default servicing law firm, says attorney Paul J.Raine was appointed to the Standing Committee on Professional and Judicial Ethics of the State Bar of Michigan.

San Francisco, California-based Capital Alliance Income Trust Ltd. (CAIT), a lender that operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT), says its first quarter earnings were significantly softened by a sudden increase in delinquencies and foreclosures.