Top banking executives said this week that it may take years for the country to see a full-fledged housing recovery -- and that a government rescue program may actually be hindering progress.

The housing market recently began another leg down, despite hopeful signs last year after the Obama administration rolled out its "Making Home Affordable" program. Home sales have dropped dramatically since some incentives expired in April. Despite homes being more affordable than ever, demand has been feeble, prices remain soft and there's more than a year of supply on the market.