In my last several columns, I have discussed a proposal for a new type of mortgage insurance that I think would help solve many of the problems with the current mortgage system.

Last week, I described a proposal for a new type of mortgage insurance called mortgage payment insurance, or MPI.

Last week, I described a proposal for a new type of mortgage insurance called mortgage payment insurance, or MPI.

A key federal regulator released a proposal to address the mortgage crisis Wednesday, calling on the Treasury Department to help troubled borrowers by lending them 20% of their mortgage principal to spur refinancing into more affordable loans.

Several major business organizations are banding together to fight the Treasury Department's plan to overhaul the nation's patchwork of financial regulation, less than two weeks after the proposal was unveiled.

WASHINGTON -- Democratic and Republican senators have crafted a package of tax breaks to help businesses and homeowners weather the housing crisis and head off deeper economic distress. Finding support for the proposal beyond the Senate may be a problem.

-- The main elements of the Bush administration's plan to overhaul financial regulation, as outlined in a 22-page executive summary obtained by The Associated Press. The proposal is set to be released Monday:

WASHINGTON - Prospective home buyers would get easier-to-understand information on mortgage terms and save an estimated average of $700 in closing costs under a proposal unveiled Friday by President Bush.

WASHINGTON -- Prospective home buyers would get easier-to-understand information on mortgage terms and save an average $700 in closing costs under a proposal to be unveiled Friday by President Bush.

WASHINGTON -- Prospective home buyers would get easier-to-understand information on mortgage terms and save an average $700 in closing costs under a proposal to be unveiled Friday by President Bush.