JACKSONVILLE, FL- Southern-based Bank of America has been named top Florida lender by the federal Small Business Administration. The bank's practice of handing out smaller loans to more businesses helped it to win the top honor.

NEW YORK CITY-International financial and corporate ratings agency Fitch invests $1.75 million in commercial real estate technology solutions provider MortgageRamp. The deal marks the first investment in one company by all three major ratings services.

BOSTON-Franciscan Friars get into the real estate business with their release of a request for proposal to redevelop St. Anthony's Shrine here on 100 Arch St. in Downtown Crossing. The Order is looking to take advantage of the 11-story building's prime location by adding a mixed-use development.

SEATTLE, WA-The real estate investment firm says the economic slowdown is exacerbating an already tough job situation here, making it more and more likely the local commercial real estate industry will lag behind the nation as a whole in its recovery.