The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 1245.7, essentially unchanged, on a seasonally adjusted basis from 1245.4 one week earlier, according to the latest Mortgage Bankers Association weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Dec. 26.

The Connecticut Food Bank in New Haven, and Foodshare Inc. and Operation Fuel both in Bloomfield, were part of 13 food banks and fuel assistance programs across New England and Upstate New York to receive donations from TD Banknorth and TD Insurance this holiday season.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits slumped 94,000 last week, government data Wednesday showed, but seasonal factors were likely behind this unexpectedly large decline with the labor market remaining very soft.

Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier has called for federal legislation to address high interest rates charged by credit card companies on consumer cards, especially when compared with the Federal Reserve’s recent cut of the federal funds rate to near zero percent.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in Connecticut rose last week, ending the week at 5.02 percent, compared to 4.98 percent the week prior, according to online mortgage tracker Zillow.