United Community declares 9.5-cent dividend

REGION

United Community
declares 9.5-cent dividend

YOUNGSTOWN — United Community Financial Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of 9.5 cents a share, payable on March 14 to shareholders of record on Feb. 29.

It is the parent company of Home Savings and Loan Co. and Butler Wick Corp.

NATION

Mortgage rates dip
for 5th time in 6 weeks

WASHINGTON — Rates on 30-year mortgages dipped slightly this week, the fifth decline in the past six weeks.

Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.67 percent this week, down from 5.68 percent last week.

The 30-year mortgage, which ended last year at 6.17 percent, has been below 6 percent for five weeks, a stretch that has not been seen since 2005.

Rates on 15-year mortgages, a popular choice for refinancing, dipped to 5.15 percent, compared with 5.17 percent last week.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports