Monthly Archives: March 2011

Rhode Island payday loan bill seeks strict interest rate cap

Rhode Island legislators have introduced 2011 H 5562, a bill to cap payday loan rates at an untenable 36 percent APR. Here we go again...
Shot of the Rhode Island capitol building, taken from a distance, down a tree-lined walkway.

Release of discount window data reveals big European bank bailout

The long-awaited release of discount window data by the Federal Reserve illustrates the global impact of Wall Street bank failures ...
discount window lending

Payday loan APR Fees and How They Compare To Other Financing Rates

A fee of $32 on a $100 bounced check can have an APR as high as 2,336%. You would be surprised to see how other fees measure up.
A fee of $32 on a $100 bounced check can have an APR as high as 2,336%. You would be surprised to see how other fees measure up.

New jobless claims decline; employers may be hiring

New unemployment claims declined last week by 6,000, and overall, long-term unemployment claims are decreasing as well.
Unemployment line

Microsoft adds complaint to EU antitrust investigation of Google

Microsoft has joined Google's European rivals in a complaint that has triggered an antitrust investigation against the search engine giant.
microsoft antitrust

Avoid the debt settlement agreement benefit on your credit card

The Government Accountability Office urges consumers to think carefully before opting for a debt settlement agreement on their credit card.
A credit card secured by chains and locks.

Installment Loans Online and How They Differ From The Average Payday Loan

One of the most liked features of installment loans is being able to pay them back over a much longer period of time then normal loans you may find locally.
One of the most liked features of installment loans is being able to pay them back over a much longer period of time then normal loans you may find locally.

Bailout loans paying dividends as banks rebound from recession

Wall Street has rebounded from the recession, and loans that were lent to financial institutions have made the U.S. Treasury a profit.
Tim Geither

Obama calls for urgent overhaul of national energy policy

At a recent appearance, President Obama called for an overhaul of the nation's energy policy including a major reduction in oil imports.
Obama speech

GOP balanced budget amendment is irresponsible political theater

Even the conservative American Enterprise Institute thinks the GOP plan to blackmail Congress into a vote on the amendment is a bad idea.
u.s. constitution

The Ease and Convenience of Short Term Loans Needs To Be Managed In A Smart Way

It is not wise to go crazy with short term loans just because you can get them online with no credit checks, no collateral and without having to fax in tons of documents.
It is not wise to go crazy with short term loans just because you can get them online with no credit checks, no collateral and without having to fax in tons of documents.

Demand for same day loans is tremendous, FDIC says

Personal loans and same day loans are popular, but banks have proven too top-heavy to offer them effectively, according to the GAO.
The logo of the United States Government Accountability Office.

Patent reform bill aims to streamline approval, spur job creation

The antiquated U.S. patent system, overwhelmed by advancing technology, has a backlog of more than 700,000 patent applications ...
patent approval

More banks ending debit card rewards

The ranks of major banks ending debit card reward programs are swelling as the cost of new financial reforms are adding up.
Wells Fargo

What You Need To Know To Keep From Getting Trapped By Cash Advance Addiction

Cash advances are not a long term financial fix for spending spree addictions. Using them should be done so responsibly and in a realistic manner.
Cash advances are not a long term financial fix for spending spree addictions. Using them should be done so responsibly and in a realistic manner.

Dodd-Frank will cost nearly $3 billion, says GAO

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and all other agencies under Dodd-Frank will cost $2.9 billion to operate, reports indicate.
Close-up of a creased U.S. dollar bill.

Work-from-home job ideas you can use

Sluggish job market got you down? Work from home successfully and avoid getting sucked into a scam by following some of these ideas.
A young woman drinking coffee at her home office desk.

Virginia opening up short-term lending to non-residents

The Virginia legislature has passed a bill allowing title lenders to offer loans to non-residents.
Virginia Senate

No Credit Check Personal Loans From The Comfort Of Home - A Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Personal loans are so easy to get it worries some consumer groups. Like anything on the internet it pays to be informed before you pursue any online transactions.
Personal loans are so easy to get it worries some consumer groups. Like anything on the internet it pays to be informed before you pursue any online transactions.

Anheuser Busch buys Goose Island in quest for world domination

Anheuser Busch has just purchased the Goose Island brewery, as macrobrewers are gobbling up many smaller beer companies to dominate markets.
Bud

Companies try to mask price increases by shrinking food packaging

To trick consumers into paying more for less, food manufacturers have made an art form of shrinking packaging in unnoticeable ways ...
food inflation