Real estate and mortgage blogs are beginning to report that E-Loan of Pleasanton, California will shut it’s doors on Jan. 9, 2009.

San Juan-based Popular, which is also Puerto Rico's largest bank, purchased E-Loan back in August of 2005 for around $300 million – just before the U.S. housing market turned south.

The continued challenges in the real estate, mortgage and financial industries may result in more Internet based service companies failing as worried consumers return to face-to-face relationships for more confidence in these challenging times.