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Last Updated: Apr 15, 2008 - 8:14:17 AM |
Credit and Money Management
Money Smart for Young Adults
The FDIC’s Money Smart for Young Adults curriculum helps youth ages 12-20 learn the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions. Equipping young people in their formative years with the basics of financial education can give them the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to manage their finances once they enter the real world.
Apr 15, 2008 - 8:11:51 AM
Announcements
Standard & Poor’s Boycott: Chiang Calls for State and Local Governments to Consider Standard & Poor's Boycott
As an option, we ought to consider boycotting Standard & Poor's until they constructively engage California and national municipal issuers on credit rating reform. The costs passed on from the current rating system to states, local governments and, ultimately, taxpayers across thecountry, are serious enough to consider not paying for the ratings unless municipal bonds are judged on an even playing field
Apr 8, 2008 - 6:54:11 AM
Announcements
Federal Government Announces Stimulus Tax Payments for 2008
The U.S. Federal Government has announced economic stimulus payments for 2008. Even if you are not otherwise required to file a U.S. Income Tax Return, you may still be entitled to an economic stimulus payment from the U.S. Federal Government.
Mar 10, 2008 - 12:07:46 PM
Credit and Money Management
A To-Do List for Fine-Tuning Your Finances
Any time is a good time to prioritize your financial goals and begin taking steps to achieve them. Here are suggestions to consider for your financial to-do list.
Feb 20, 2008 - 9:11:08 PM
Credit and Money Management
Building Your Financial House: The I.I.I.’s Free, Personal Finance Software Makes Keeping Track of Your Finances Easier than Ever
What would happen if you became ill and couldn’t make financial decisions to safeguard your family? Or if your family were unable to find vital records after your death? Have you done all you can to reduce your debt while saving for the future? The Insurance Information Institute’s (I.I.I.) free, downloadable personal finance software can help you put your financial house in order.
Jan 25, 2008 - 11:27:58 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Online Marketers of Prepaid Debit Cards to Subprime Consumers Will Pay More Than $2.2 Million to Settle FTC Charges
An operation marketing Visa- and MasterCard-branded prepaid debit cards to subprime consumers has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it made unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts and engaged in deceptive marketing practices. The settlement requires the defendants to pay $2,258,258 for consumer redress, plus the proceeds from the sale of an automobile. In addition, one of the defendants, Dale Paul Cleveland, must pay taxing authorities an additional $667,288
Jan 25, 2008 - 11:21:17 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
California Settles Annuity Sales Scam
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Insurance Commission Steve Poizner today announced a $7.2 million settlement with American Investors Life Insurance Company, Family First Insurance Services, and Family First Advanced Estate Planning, resolving allegations that the companies sold thousands of annuities with exorbitant fees to vulnerable senior citizens
Dec 26, 2007 - 11:21:49 AM
Identity Theft
Don't Print Full Credit and Debit Card Numbers on Customers' Purchase Receipts: FTC Reminds Businesses
To reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft, the electronically printed credit and debit card receipts given to consumers must not include more than the last five digits of the card number, and must not show the expiration date.
Dec 14, 2007 - 10:55:19 AM
Credit and Money Management
Nationwide Debt Collector Will Pay $1.3 Million to Settle FTC Charges
A Texas-based debt collection company will pay more than $1.3 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misled, threatened, and harassed consumers in violation of federal law.
Nov 6, 2007 - 8:43:37 AM
Credit and Money Management
FTC Creates Consumer Hotline for Consumers Who Paid for Debt Reduction Services
The Federal Trade Commission has created a consumer hotline for consumers who purchased "debt reduction services" from Edge Solutions, Money Cares, the Debt Settlement Company, the Debt Elimination Center, and Pay Help Inc. The hotline is in addition to a letter that was recently sent to the customers of Edge Solutions and the other companies, notifying them that the companies were shutdown.
Nov 6, 2007 - 7:38:02 AM
Credit and Money Management
5 Tips for Protecting Your Checking Account
Make sure all the checks, debits, automatic payments, and other withdrawals are ones you authorized. If you see a transaction you did not authorize, notify your bank immediately. If your bank has online banking, you don’t have to wait until your bank statement comes--you can check your transactions at any time.
Nov 5, 2007 - 6:10:45 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Consumer Credit Limitations for Military Service Members and Dependents - Limits interest to 36 percent MAPR
The rule applies to all persons engaged in the business of extending consumer credit and their assignees. The final rule applies to consumer credit, which the DoD defines as payday loans, vehicle title loans and tax refund anticipation loans that meet specific parameters. For these defined transactions with covered borrowers (covered transactions), the DoD rule.
Oct 17, 2007 - 6:07:16 PM
Credit and Money Management
Feds Urges Improved Underwriting Standards on Third Party Loans
When a bank makes a loan that it plans to hold, the fundamental standard it uses to underwrite the loan is that most basic of credit standards that I’ve already talked about: the underwriting must be strong enough to create a reasonable expectation that the loan will be repaid.
Oct 8, 2007 - 10:56:26 AM
Credit and Money Management
Give Yourself Credit – Good Credit; It Reaps a Variety of Financial Rewards
Having a solid credit history can affect consumers in a surprising number of ways. Credit histories influence everything from renting an apartment and getting a mortgage to applying for a job or qualifying for a lower rate on auto or home insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Oct 3, 2007 - 5:20:24 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Home Equity Lines of Credit - Who Uses This Source of Credit?
This report profiles single-family homeowners who used home equity lines of credit in 2001 and compares them to their counterparts from 10 years earlier, including age, home value, mortgage, age of home, number of loans for home improvements and proportion of people using home equity for debt consolidation.
Sep 26, 2007 - 10:57:26 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Seven Credit Rating Agencies Register with SEC as Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations
Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2007 — The Securities and Exchange Commission issued orders today granting the registrations of seven credit rating agencies as nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSRO”). The firms are the first to be registered with the Commission under the Credit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006.
Sep 25, 2007 - 8:58:05 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Underfunded Pension Plans: Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulations
Washington, D.C.--The Treasury Department and IRS issued today proposed regulations to provide guidance on new rules enacted as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) that restrict benefits in pension plans that are underfunded.
Aug 28, 2007 - 1:58:21 PM
Credit and Money Management
Paying for College ... the Smart Way
The cost of college has risen faster than the general inflation rate for many years. So, it's no surprise that many parents borrow to pay for higher education and that many college graduates owe tens of thousands of dollars on student loans and related debt. Here are strategies for keeping college financing costs down.
Aug 25, 2007 - 7:35:11 AM
Credit and Money Management
When You Need Money Fast: Sources of Affordable Cash
It's two weeks until payday, your credit cards are maxed out ... and then your car breaks down. You only need a few hundred dollars for the repair but you need it now. Many people in these situations have turned to "alternative" financial services providers such as pawnshops, car-title lenders (for a loan secured by the borrower's car) and payday lenders (for unsecured loans that borrowers promise to repay out of their next paycheck or regular income payment).
Aug 20, 2007 - 8:01:14 AM
Credit and Money Management
Credit Score: 5 Tips in Improving Your Credit Score
Many credit-scoring models consider the number and type of credit accounts you have. A mix of installment loans and credit cards may improve your score. However, too many finance company accounts or credit cards might hurt your score.
Aug 15, 2007 - 8:48:23 AM
Credit and Money Management
15 Simple Strategies for Saving Money on Loans and Credit Cards
Loans and credit cards provide great consumer benefits, but as with any form of borrowed money, you've got to be careful about how you manage credit. Here are tips for saving money on credit products — in your basic financial affairs, when shopping for new credit, and when using loans and credit cards.
Aug 15, 2007 - 7:16:07 AM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Maintaining Good Credit Reaps a Variety of Financial Rewards
NEW YORK, July 26, 2007 — Having a solid credit history can affect consumers in a surprising number of ways. Credit histories influence everything from renting an apartment and getting a mortgage to applying for a job or qualifying for a lower rate on auto or home insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Jul 26, 2007 - 4:10:43 PM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Need Credit or Insurance? Your Credit Score Helps Determine What You’ll Pay
Ever wonder how a lender decides whether to grant you credit? For years, creditors have been using credit scoring systems to determine if you’d be a good risk for credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. These days, many more types of businesses - including insurance companies and phone companies - are using credit scores to decide whether to approve you for a loan or service and on what terms.
Jul 24, 2007 - 12:01:35 PM
Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
Credit-Based Insurance Scores: FTC Releases Report on Effects of Credit-Based Insurance Scores
The Federal Trade Commission today released a report presenting the results of a study concerning credit-based insurance scores and automobile insurance. The study found that these scores are effective predictors of the claims that consumers will file. It also determined that, as a group, African-Americans and Hispanics tend to have lower scores than non-Hispanic whites and Asians. Therefore, the use of scores likely leads to African-Americans and Hispanics paying relatively more for automobile insurance than non-Hispanic whites and Asians.
Jul 24, 2007 - 11:55:04 AM
Insurance Related Press Releases
Credit Card Debt: Students Taking On More Debt to Pay for Tuition; Credit Cards Tapped Out
Of the 1.5 million students attaining college degrees this spring, an overwhelming majority will have at least one credit card in their wallet and 32 percent of students will have four or more credit cards, based on a 2005 study done by student lender Nellie Mae.
Jun 14, 2007 - 5:51:43 AM
