LONDON-New research from the College of Estate Management at Reading University says new technology is loosening the ties that once bound financial services companies to the City of London. Many businesses plan to relocate to cheaper locations, while those that plan to stay will require less office space.

SAN DIEGO-The county's unemployment rate is on the wane, according to recently released government statistics. The October report, published by the State of California Employment Development Department, says that September's unemployment rate was 4.1%, down slightly from 4.2% in August.

CHICAGO-A slide in consumer confidence bears watching, RBC Financial Group managing director William Jandristis tells an audience at the Network of Commercial Real Estate Women convention, especially if consumers are tapped out of refinancing and home equity loan options.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ-The gaming giant's proposed $1.5-billion Marina District casino-hotel, in the works for almost seven years, has been put back on the shelf as the company looks for other ways to spend its money.