A year that saw businesses express growing interest in the segment ended with a more subdued outlook due to interest rate trends, according to a new report.

BRIDGE Housing Corp. is the first to publicly offer tax-exempt bonds to finance construction of a new development, a 224-unit project in Portland, Oregon.

The Stamford, Connecticut-based bank hired Steven Sugarman to be its president. The former bank CEO, who now heads one of the country's largest mission-based lenders, will help drive an effort to close a capital gap.

Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, predicts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be removed from conservatorship within the next two years.

Although a new administration means policy uncertainty, most analysts see the economy growing above trend next year, although inflation will remain a concern.