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On Wednesday real estate investment company C-III Capital Partners LLC inked its name to an agreement approving acquisition plans for NAI Global, a global network of commercial real estate firms, potentially bringing the firm, with assets valued at nearly $150 billion, up to speed as an increasingly competitive force.

The saga of a nearly $3-billion fraudulent scheme that resulted in two bank failures, billions of dollars in losses, and the loss of over 2,000 jobs came to a close on Wednesday when courts found the culprits guilty on counts of fraud and false statements, among other charges. The sentencing follows several other convictions in a case authorities bill one of the largest instances of bank fraud in U.S. history.

Freddie Mac reported the decline of its overall mortgage portfolio by an annual rate of 3.5 percent over May, signaling losses for the government-sponsored enterprise in a mortgage market the federal officials want to hand back to private investors. Issuing its monthly volume update, the GSE's origination volume for single-family refinance-loan purchases dropped to $13.3 billion over May, reflecting 58 percent of total mortgage purchases and issuances.

On Thursday Consumer Financial Protection Bureau nominee Elizabeth Warren attended a virtual press conference, delineating six groups of nonbank companies that may soon fall under the agency's broad scope of authority. The agency is responsible for ensuring that both banks and nonbanks comply with consumer financial protection and fair lending laws, Warren said, reading from a prepared statement.

Nearing the conclusion of her tumultuous five-year term, outgoing FDIC chairman Sheila Bair made moves to shape the legacy she leaves behind in July, making the case for sounder policies needed to head off the potential for a replay of the 2008 financial crisis as markets and industries move forward. Meanwhile, analysts fault a mixed legacy for Bair, citing the major roles she played in expanding the FDIC's power and passing crucial language in the Dodd-Frank Act. Bair is set to leave her post as FDIC chairman on July 8.

In a statement released Monday, banking giant PNC Financial Services Group revealed that it had acquired troubled Canadian firm RBC Bank for $3.45 billion in cash and stock, absorbing $25 billion in assets and re-branding over 400 branches across the southern United States. According to Bloomberg News, PNC anticipates $322 million in merger-related expenses, coupled with the addition of $19 billion in deposits and $16 in loans. Additionally, PNC expects to whittle down nearly $230 million, or 27 percent, of non-interest expenses for the bank after implementing administrative and operational changes.

Seeking to dispel controversy surrounding recent rule-making efforts, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau nominee and Treasury Department adviser Elizabeth Warren attended a virtual press conference on Thursday to invite public commentary and uphold the agency's claim to sweeping powers under the Dodd-Frank Act. Warren briefly touched on the proposed definition for so-called ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├àÔÇ£larger participants,├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├é┬Ø citing nonbank mortgage companies, payday lenders, and private student lenders as subjects that would fall under the rule.

Members of Congress linked arms with a broad coalition of community and professional associations to call for the reversal of a key provision in the Dodd-Frank Act, which critics charge will upend recovery in the housing markets, close the door on new homebuyers, and force borrowers to shoulder higher costs. The lawmakers and industry groups showed up in force at a press conference organized by the Coalition for Sensible Housing Policy, which plans to submit a white paper to authorities as official commentary.

With total U.S. debt soaring past $14 billion in May and negotiations over a controversial ceiling raise splintering at the highest levels, analysts worry that the Federal Housing Administration may shut down if the federal government defaults on August 2 -- a crisis scenario that would wreak havoc in housing markets, tightening the credit supply and spoiling a recovery. Analysts suggest that a default by the government would unfairly and adversely impact minority homeowners.

The U.S. Census Bureau and HUD released data indicating southerly drifts for sales of new homes, revealing a 2.1 percent drop beneath the April rate of 326,000, 13.5 percent above the 281,000 estimates from May 2010.