Government

A private-sector initiative launched by JPMorgan Chase in early 2011, the 100,000 Jobs Mission, is less than 8,000 positions from its goal. Member companies have collectively hired 92,869 U.S. military veterans through the third quarter of 2013, the organization recently reported.

Joseph Cuomo, SVP and director of business development for online real estate marketplace Auction.com, has been recognized by Real Estate Forum magazine as one of the commercial real estate industry's Top 45 Under 40.

Rob Katz has joined ReverseVision's team as EVP of sales, the company announced.

Sabal Financial Group, L.P., a privately held diversified financial services firm that specializes in real estate, lending, and banking, appointed Marguerite Brogan as managing director.

Senate Republicans blocked on Thursday a vote on the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-North Carolina) to head up the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Watt's nomination was stopped in a 56-42 vote to end the debate over his confirmation. Sixty votes were needed to invoke cloture and move forward. The agency has been led since 2009 by acting director Edward DeMarco, who has attracted criticism from Democrats and consumer advocates who say he hasn't gone far enough to help distressed homeowners.

A Florida bank became the 23rd FDIC-insured institution to fall this year, the agency announced Wednesday.

Analysts holding out for a sign that the Federal Reserve may soon taper its asset purchasing program will have to continue waiting. The Fed released on Wednesday the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement, revealing a generally cautious attitude as the economy struggles against headwinds. On the subject of housing, the FOMC noted growth has slowed in recent months; however, unlike the September statement, October's release does not cite rising mortgage rates as a concern.

MBA Education, an educational initiative launched by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), presented E. Michael Rosser, CMB, with its inaugural MBA Education Lifetime Achievement Award.

Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, a diversified mortgage services company operating in Dallas, was named for the second straight year in Inc. Magazine's Hire Power Awards, a list of the top 100 businesses in America for job creation.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) started off its 100th Annual Convention Sunday with the election and swearing-in of its board of directors for the 2014 membership year.