Finance and Credit Professional

Most consumers are aware of the current problems that some financial institutions are experiencing. This has caused some concern for large investors, those with CD investments over the maximum amount that is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Currently, the maximum allowed is $100,000 per account.The simple answer to this problem is to spread [...]

A part of modern living involves getting and using credit. Many people would proclaim that it is better to live on the cash basis and to never owe anyone anything, and that would be good advice, but it is nearly impossible to live that way today. For the most part, American adults will have to [...]

Just like a regular savings account, a money market account is a type of savings account that is offered by banks and credit unions. The main difference is that money market accounts will usually pay higher interest, have higher minimum balance requirements, and often they only allow three to six withdrawals from the account per [...]

Wire transfers are more common than you may think. The name "wire transfer" can be misleading in this day and age. At one time, they meant transactions that were conducted through such services as Western Union, but not anymore. Today, wire transfers take place all the time, whether we know that they are happening with [...]

Essentially, investment bonds are loan agreements made between companies or governments and investors. In this case, it is the government or company that borrows money from the investor for set period of time to be used for funding purposes. In a sense, the company or government is indebted to you, the individual [...]

It's hard to believe with oil approaching $100 per barrel, but the U.S. will consume over 1 billion (that's 1,000,000,000) more gallons of gasoline in 2007 than in 2006.As a certain President once said, we are energy junkies. We keep craving more regardless of the price. Ask yourself this: Are you [...]

A joint account is a good option for those individuals who want or need more than one person authorized to use a bank account. Generally speaking, when you open a new checking or savings account at a bank or credit union your name will appear on the account and only your name will appear [...]

Stocks, bonds, index funds; averages, recessions, market rallies and corrections; mutual funds, technical analysis, financial statements; commissions, taxes, and discount brokers. Just how much do you know about investing, or perhaps a better question: is there any "know" in the investment vocabulary? So many terms, ideas, and strategies; so little time and money! Here's a [...]

Your credit report is one of the most important financial documents concerning whether or not you will be able to get loans and how much interest you will have to pay on those loans. Understanding your credit report is therefore very important.One of the first things to understand about your credit report is that it [...]

Your bank can do more for you than simply hold your money and issue checks. Many banks, especially larger national banks, also offer investment and savings options for customers. Here are some of the more common ones:Bonds: A bond is a debt security certificate. In simple terms, when you buy a bond you are lending [...]