Monthly Archives: May 2011

Three congressional bills trying to weaken the CFPB

Despite the fact it is not yet operational, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau already is facing challenges from Congress.
Department of the Treasury

Services like PayNearMe for unbanked consumers expanding

Services for unbanked consumers, such as PayNearMe kiosks, are expanding to offer financial services for people without bank accounts.
Check cashing store

US must raise taxes to lower deficit, say global investors

The Bloomberg Global Poll of foreign investors has found that two-thirds think the U.S. must raise taxes to reduce the federal deficit.
Close-up of the “income tax” space on a Monopoly game board. A pair of dice are visible in the background, in soft focus.

Payday Loans and How You Can Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft

Encryption of your data is just the basic level of protection you need to look for. You can also check to see if the page has HTTPS in the address bar when on application page.
Encryption of your data is just the basic level of protection you need to look for. You can also check to see if the page has HTTPS in the address bar when on application page.

Wisconsin Republicans attempting to re-legalize auto title loans

The Joint Finance Committee in the Wisconsin State Senate has suggested re-legalizing auto title loans in the state.
Title Lender

Recession survival tips for small businesses

Surviving a recession can be tough for small businesses. With these tips, it is possible to break even or even raise the bottom line.
Pictured is Charlie Jones, Kroger grocery store manager in Worthington, Ohio, 1941. Jones is showcasing a variety of items in this black and white photo.

Texas legislature passing new payday lending regulation

The Texas legislature is slowly changing regulations on payday lending with three separate bills under consideration.
Texas statehouse

How People Are Taking Advantage of Installment Loans To Cover Budget Shocks Today

Budget shocks are something very common these days. Many middle class Americans have started using installment lending products to get through tough times.
Budget shocks are something very common these days. Many middle class Americans have started using installment lending products to get through tough times.

Credit card companies still marketing to college students

College students are supposed to have greater barriers between them and credit card companies, but the laws still have loopholes.
Visa logo

Prepaid benefit cards exploit the unemployed, says study

Prepaid benefit debit cards for the unemployed nickel and dime them to death with fees, according to a National Consumer Law Center report.
A Bank of America ATM machine.

Payday loan amendment threatens to gridlock Colorado legislature

An amendment tacked on the end of the Rules Bill in the Colorado legislature could end up costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Payday Loans

Short Term Loans Are Available Without Credit Checks - What Does That Mean For You?

Having access to a short term loan online when every you want without credit checks is a tempting offer but what should you know before applying?
Having access to a short term loan online when every you want without credit checks is a tempting offer but what should you know before applying?

Microfinance industry becoming troubled by scandals

The microfinance industry is becoming rocked with a series of scandals, and it appears to be unraveling despite many lenders noble aims.
Muhammad Yunus

Master the metrics of small business success

How can you tell if your business is doing well? Benchmark your business, with an eye for some of these key ratios you'll want in your favor.
A woman in a business suit is seated before a laptop computer. Her arms are in the air in celebration, and the in-photo text reads “I won!”

Consumers paying more to access their own money

While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is waiting for a director, banks are making even more off of undisclosed or unclear fees.
Cash

You Are Not Supposed To Know Cash Advances Online Do Not Require Any Credit

Credit is not a factor with cash advances online. There are not credit checks so their is no hard inquiry on your record to lower your credit score.
Credit is not a factor with cash advances online. There are not credit checks so their is no hard inquiry on your record to lower your credit score.

Crowdsourcing good for businesses and for personal loans

Crowdsourcing isn't just for funding personal loans or projects. Businesses can raise loan capital that way, too, or use peer to peer lending.
Laptop computer

Experts predict gas prices will fall during summer

Gas prices have approached $4 per gallon in the United States, despite a decrease in crude oil prices. Yet summer relief may be on the way.
Close-up of a hand holding the gas pump nozzle that's inserted into a car's gasoline tank.

Overseas education becoming a money saving move for US students

In order to save money, more students from the United States are choosing to attend a college or university overseas.
Cambridge

Personal Online Lending and How It Can Make or Break Your Family Budget During Hard Times

Hard times befall us all but you do not have to break your budget to pay your bills. Use personal loans responsibly to avoid penlaties and late fees.
Hard times befall us all but you do not have to break your budget to pay your bills. Use personal loans responsibly to avoid penlaties and late fees.

2010 a year of record low income taxes

People in the United States pay lower taxes today than they did in the 1950s, and some still say the tax burden on the wealthy should be higher.
A Corvette from 1958

CEO salaries at highest level since 2007

The Associate Press reports CEO pay increased in 2010 to a level higher than it had been during the boom times that preceded the recession.
CEO Barbie, hard at work in the office.