REO

First-time claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending September 7 plunged 31,000 to 292,000, the lowest level since March 2006, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected the number of claims to edge up to 330,000 from the 323,000 originally reported for the week ending August 31. The number of filings for that week was unchanged.

Equator, a Los Angeles-based provider of default servicing technologies, announced the launch of Loan Management, a comprehensive new compliance and decision tool for delinquent loans.

Moody's Analytics customers will now be able to access the full suite of Zillow real estate aggregate data and related indices, the companies announced.

Title365 Agency, a nationwide provider of title insurance and escrow services, is moving forward with its Arizona expansion with the opening of two new branch offices in Glendale and Scottsdale.

Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, a Dallas-based diversified mortgage services provider, will sponsor in October a two-day charity golf tournament, exclusive VIP movie screening, and private concert event featuring five-time Grammy Award winner Wynonna Judd.

JPMorgan Chase's board has announced its intention to elect Linda B. Bammann and Michael A. Neal to join as directors.

In California, NextAce Corporation is marking its 10th year of providing automate real property intelligence by making its patented Title EDGE automated title search platform available directly from its website.

As mortgage rates climb, refinances are on the decline. However, refinances through the government's Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) remain elevated compared to last year's volumes, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) Refinance Report for the second quarter of 2013. HARP refinances totaled about 280,000 for the quarter, down slightly from about 290,000 in the first quarter of this year, FHFA reported.

The nation's economy added 169,000 jobs in August as the unemployment rate fell to 7.3 percent, the lowest level since December 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Economists had forecast payrolls would grow by 180,000 and the unemployment rate would remain at July's 7.4 percent. Payroll growth for July, originally reported at 162,000 was revised down 58,000 to 104,000. June payroll growth was also revised downward from 188,000 to 172,000.

Home prices have rebounded so rapidly that industry data show 8.3 million borrowers who've been underwater are on track to have enough equity to sell their home within the next 15 months--without resorting to a short sale. Metro markets that boast the highest percentage of homes with resurfacing equity include Omaha; Colorado Springs; Tulsa; Little Rock; and Raleigh, North Carolina.