Are Consumers Really Paying Off Credit Cards?
A report out this week says that Americans reduced their credit card debt by $93 billion between 2008 and 2009. This could be seen by some as good news. Experts are not convinced. According to an analysis of federal data by cardhub.com, a credit card comparison site, during the third quarter of last year, bank [...]
Bipartisan Debt Commission Or Mission Impossible?
In an effort to rein in the ever growing national debt, President Obama signed an executive order last Thursday creating a bipartisan debt commission that will plan a course of action to address and diminish the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product by 2015. That is in comparison to the current 10% [...]
Credit Card Debt Declining
According to the Federal Reserve, consumer credit card balances saw the largest dollar value drop since records began in 1968 and the biggest percentage drop of 18.5% since December 1974.
The Federal Reserves monthly G-19 Report considers various components of consumer debt which include revolving debt, consisting mainly of credit card debt, and non- revolving debt, [...]
New Consumer Protection Agency To Monitor Lenders
The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group recently released a report which revealed practices of lenders who offer private or student loans. Private loans differ from Federally based loans. Private loans have no capped limit on interest rates and some lenders are charging significant up front fees in order to originate the loan.
Because of these practices, [...]
