AP - THE TREND: Auto loan approval rates have improved over the last year for customers regardless of their credit rating. Those with subprime credit faced the biggest challenge as the economy slid into recession with approval rates falling from the 60 percent to about 5 percent in 2009. They’ve rebounded to about 9 percent, now.

AP - A burrito company known for super-sized stuffed tortillas goes small. A chocolatier turns to cheaper pick-me-ups rather than expensive indulgences. A furniture retailer expands in the midst of the housing market bust.

Reuters - Goldman Sachs Group Inc agreed to pay $550 million to settle civil fraud charges over how it marketed a subprime mortgage product, ending months of negotiations that rattled the bank’s clients and investors.

AP - California homes sales rose more than 7 percent last month compared with May, but the median price paid for a home in the state was down about 3 percent, according to a real estate tracking firm.

AP - Here is a list of foreclosure rates, by state, from January through June.

AP - Mortgage rates were unchanged this week at the lowest point in decades, but it hasn’t been enough to jump-start the housing market.

AP - More than 1 million American households are likely to lose their homes to foreclosure this year, as lenders work their way through a huge backlog of borrowers who have fallen behind on their loans.

AP - MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS FALL: Applications for home loans dipped nearly 3 percent last week even though consumers were able to refinance at the lowest rates in decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Reuters - Three straight weeks of record low mortgage interest rates has spurred another refi boom. That’s understandable: The idea of locking in 4.5 percent for 30 years is really tempting.

AP - Applications for home loans dipped last week even though consumers were able to refinance at the lowest rates in decades.