The Latest Debt & Finance Blog

Car sale

Auto Loans Easier to Borrow as Defaults Hit All-Time Low

By Bill Fay | September 18, 2012

As millions of Americans struggle to keep up with monthly expenses in a tough economy, consumers in search of automobile loans are in for some good news: not only have…

bad-check-image

Matching District Attorneys, Bad-Check Collectors Is Bad Policy

By Bill Fay | September 17, 2012

A relationship between debt collectors and district attorneys that allows for the use of D.A. letterhead in the collections process shouldn’t be considered sound policy. It’s just too cozy.

worried senior image

Millions of Elderly Americans Face Foreclosure

By Bill Fay | September 17, 2012

America’s seniors were once considered among the most financially secure, with retirement at the top of the agenda. By the time people reached their 50s and 60s, Social Security and…

Piggy Bank with Student Loans

Student Loans Reach Record Highs With No Debt Relief in Sight

By Bill Fay | September 14, 2012

As a record number of borrowers default on their student loans, a new poll shows that those who haven’t paid off their loans want their lenders to forgive the debt.…

obama romney economy election

Will the Economy Affect the 2012 Presidential Election?

By Bill Fay | September 14, 2012

“It’s the economy, stupid,” was the mantra of Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign. At a time when the country was recovering from two-and-a-half quarters of recession and with unemployment…

Home inspection

Computerized Property Appraisals Downplay Home Values

By Bill Fay | September 12, 2012

It may seem ideal to refinance a mortgage or obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC) at a time while interest rates are at an all-time low, but some…

teen taking money

Teens Are Counting on Parents to Finance Retirements, Study Shows

By Bill Fay | September 11, 2012

Attention moms and dads: your teens are counting on you for more than a few bucks for a movie or some new clothes. They’re depending on you to pay for…

Row of houses

Citibank to Reopen Suspended Home Equity Accounts

By Bill Fay | September 10, 2012

Good news is on the way for homeowners who held home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) with Citibank. Many customers’ HELOCs were suddenly suspended or canceled over the last four…

cemetary-image

‘Death Master List’ Paves Way for More Identity Theft

By Bill Fay | September 8, 2012

What started as a legitimate attempt to prevent identify theft has instead resulted in a ripe opportunity for criminal activity. According to recent reports, for as little as $10, criminals…

credit cards image

Major Banks Discontinue Add-On Services

By Bill Fay | September 6, 2012

To the delight of consumer advocates, several American banks will be discontinuing controversial add-on products such as payment protection and debt protection in the coming year. Bank of America After…

Sources:

  1. Duarte, J. (2012, July, 23). People keeping vehicles longer is a trend that's here to stay. Digital Journal. Retrieved from http://digitaljournal.com/article/329192#ixzz265EcRDlY
  2. Woodyard,C. (2012, August 22). Auto loan defaults drop to lowest level since 1999. USA Today. Retrieved from http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/auto-loan-defaults-drop-to-lowest-level-since-1999/1#.UE3567KPWuM
  3. Hirsch, J. (2012, August 23). U.S. auto loan delinquency rate hits 13-year low. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/23/business/la-fi-autos-loan-delinquencies-20120823
  4. Moeller, P. (2012, September 4). Consumers Continue to Cut Debt and Repair Finances. U.S. News. Retrieved from http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2012/09/04/consumers-continue-to-cut-debt-and-repair-finances