Meanwhile in New York, hundreds of protesters marched on the offices of the banking giant JPMorgan Chase to demand better treatment of customers facing foreclosure. Darren Duarte of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, NACA, said Chase’s policies are throwing homeowners out onto the streets.

Darren Duarte: “It’s Christmastime, people are being thrown out on the streets, and I think bankers could do more. The President is talking a lot about it, but he’s not requiring them or taking action. We want him to take action today.”

The protest was held as part of NACA’s “Save the Dream Tour” to pressure banks to restructure mortgages. The group says over 350,000 people have taken part in eleven cities nationwide.