SEEKONK, MA-Ann & Hope leases 42,000 sf of space here in the Towne Center shopping plaza where it plans to open three outlet stores. The discount department store chain is attempting to reposition itself in an increasingly tight discount retail market.

SAN ANTONIO-The Dublin, Ohio-based owner of the Pipers Creek Apartments in San Antonio's northwest submarket secures an $8-million refinancing. The 10-year loan comes with a 6.99% interest rate and 30-year amortization.

MIAMI SHORES, FL-America's Senior Financial Services expects the merger to increase its total annual loan production to almost $500 million.

ATLANTA-The locally based apartment developer reported net earnings of $24.4 million, up from $24.1 million. Funds from operations, however, totaled $37.5 million, down 12.6% from $43 million in the comparable 2000 period.