Employment in the real estate finance sector showed a monthly improvement.
During November, 255,700 people were employed in mortgage lending, according to data released today from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Headcount edged up from 255,500 the prior month.
Still, mortgage employment was down from a revised 284,800 during November 2008.
“Mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers” accounted for the latest increase — climbing to 65,400 from 65,200 in October.
“Real estate credit” positions were unchanged at 190,300.
Overall U.S. employment was down just 85,000 jobs during December, according to the bureau — a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. Unemployment was unchanged last month at 10.0 percent.