** Relief over Financial Bailout Plan

After a challenging two-week period marked by financial instability, the U. S. government has taken decisive action to stabilize the economy by absorbing toxic mortgage assets and establishing a substantial safety net for money-market funds. This intervention led to a surge in the Dow Jones industrials, which rose by approximately 370 points on Friday, contributing to a two-day gain of around 780 points. Local banks in Snohomish County, such as Cascade Financial Corp.

and Lynnwood’s City Bank, saw their shares jump by over 30 percent following the SEC's ban on short-selling. While mortgage planners believe these actions are necessary for the struggling mortgage industry, concerns persist about the long-term implications. Amid rising unemployment and stagnant retail sales, the sentiment in local communities remains one of uncertainty, with consumers questioning how these financial developments will impact their lives and casting a subdued outlook for the upcoming shopping season.