A check-up on the housing bubble and Wall Street. "Bank of America Corp. told employees last week that it will close the mortgage centers of the former MBNA Corp., shifting their work to its own centers, a spokeswoman said Thursday. Bank of America plans to cut 6,000 jobs in total as it swallows MBNA."

"Bank of America also will shutter Nexstar Financial, a company MBNA acquired last summer that provides mortgage services for other companies, Davis said. Nexstar employs more than 300 in the St. Louis area, and more in Colorado. It will continue to service its existing customers, but will stop accepting new customers, and eventually cease operations."

What's the bubble blow-up of the day? "NovaStar Financial Inc., a large U.S. subprime mortgage lender, on Friday said it is postponing its release of fourth-quarter financial results as it seeks legal advice concerning taxes. Shares of the company, which is also a mortgage real estate investment trust, fell as much as 14.6 percent in early trading."

"In the statement, NovaStar said that in reviewing its year-end financial results and talking with its independent auditors, it decided 'to obtain legal opinions to further support certain tax positions of the Company.' Jeffrey Gentle, a NovaStar spokesman, declined to elaborate on that issue. Asked about the timing of the company's announcement, he said the matters under review involve 'a recent question that came up.'"

And a homebuilder had disappointing news for shareholders. "WCI Communities Inc. shares were down nearly 5% in early dealings Friday after the company before the opening bell said its fourth-quarter profit fell on a charge for early repayment of debt and delays caused by Hurricane Wilma."

"The Bonita Springs, Fla., builder of luxury homes and towers said fourth-quarter net income fell 7.3%. The company said net new orders in the fourth quarter plunged to 334 units from 1,081 last year, due primarily to the effects of Hurricane Wilma and fewer properties available for sale."

"The company is the second builder that caters to the high-end market to report disappointing results. Earlier this week, Toll Brothers Inc., which is considered a bellwether for the U.S. housing market, led the sector lower after it reduced its forecast for 2006 for the second time in three months."

"But WCI Chief Executive Jerry Starkey said Friday the company is optimistic. 'While there is a general sentiment that pricing power has begun to soften in many markets, we believe this is temporary,' Starkey said."