Mortgage Lending Climbs Steadily

Among the first three months in 2004, February saw the most volume for financial institutions that did at least $2 million in mortgage lending. Benton and Washington counties combined totaled more than $825 million in February.

Regions Bank topped the list with $76.4 million in Benton County lending and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc. topped Washington County’s list with $254 million in February.

Washington County led its northern neighbor in the first quarter with more than $977.8 million in lending versus Benton County’s $820.74 million. That lead was largely due to Morgan Stanley Capital Corp. General Electric First Capital Corp. topped Benton County’s March list with $200 million in lending.

Regions Bank won Washington County with $65.7 million in March.