Turmoil in the bond market was a factor in the formation of the Regional Bond Dealers Association, based in Alexandria, Va.
The RBC CASH Index fell to a reading of 33.1 in March, marking the index's worst reading since January 2002.
The rate of home loans entering the foreclosure process was 0.83%, up from 0.54% a year ago.
Ambac will seek to raise capital through a $1 billion common stock offering, plus a $500 million public offering of equity units.
Modifications to SEC's privacy regulations would allow departing brokers to take customer contact information with them.
Republicans plan to introduce a bill that would make compliance with some provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley voluntary for banks.
Pay tax on such financial products, even though no payoff from such investments is assured, would unfairly limit trade of the financial products, according to the group.
The most significant increases in filings for the first two months of 2008 occurred in California, Maryland and Florida.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairperson Sheila Bair said most financial institutions remain well capitalized.
Manufacturing reports were down across the board with only St. Louis reporting a pickup in activity.
