Florida banks join foreclosure halt

Coral Gables BankUnited and Fort Lauderdale-based BankAtlantic added themselves to the list of banks foregoing foreclosures. They join JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup, which has suspended foreclosures indefinitely while the government develops a plan to deal with the housing crisis. Both Florida banks have only agreed to temporary halts. BankUnited’s cessation will affect 1,400 homes statewide, CEO and President Ramiro Ortiz said.