Business & Finance

Articles Index

Free Credit Scores - How to Get Free Credit Scores

Credit scores affect whether or not you’ll get a loan, and how favorable the terms are. Free credit scores are hard to find though. Most companies advertising free credit scores intend to charge you sooner or later. Here are a few ideas on how you can truly get free credit scores.

Capitalize Interest

When you capitalize interest, you skip the payments. However, you still owe the money and you'll have to pay eventually. Your lender adds the interest charges to your loan balance, so you owe more and more as you capitalize. Capitalization is the process of adding interest charges to your existing loan balance.

Loan Deferments

When you are unable to repay a student loan, you may go into deferment. Different loans have different requirements, so you'll need to investigate your loan. Learn more about how deferment works and what your options might be.

Bank of America Military Bank

Bank of America Military Bank offers services to a wide variety of government employees. The program offers some special incentives to those who qualify. Bank of America Military Bank is a part of the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA).

Deposit Checks

So you need to deposit a check. It may be the first time, or it may have been so long that you forgot how to deposit checks. Make sure you know your options, including where to go, where not to go, and how technology makes it easier to deposit checks.

Deposit Cash

So you’ve got some cash, and you’d like to deposit it to a bank account. What are the options? Find out how to deposit cash, along with some helpful tips.

Getting a Student Loan Without a Cosigner

Although it's not easy to get a student loan without a cosigner, you can improve your chances. Learn what to watch for and what to do if lenders turn you away.

HARP 2.0 - Home Affordable Refinance Program

Get details on the HARP 2.0 program, including highlights and eligibility requirements. For underwater homes, HARP allows refinancing at any loan-to-value ratio. Learn how to use the program.

Refinance Programs Available

Several mortgage refinancing programs are available to help struggling homeowners. Find out what they are and how to use them.

Do Obama Refinancing Programs Exist?

Question: I keep seeing advertisements that say Obama’s refinancing program can save me money. Are these ads for real? Answer: The advertisements may or may not deliver what they promise, but the Obama Administration has implemented a few refinancing programs for struggling homeowners.

Checking Account Hold

Does your bank place a hold on your funds? It’s important to know how a hold works, what can cause it, and what your bank’s rules are. Most importantly, you need to know how to keep your bank from freezing your entire account.

An Overview of Private Student Loans

When borrowing for education, you can use private student loans and federal student loans. Each type of loan comes with tradeoffs. Learn how private student loans work and how they’re different from loans offered through government programs.

Alternatives to Private Student Loans

Student loans are easy to get but hard to pay off. As education costs continue to rise, student debt burdens can only increase. How can you keep your loan balance low while attending classes? Here are a few ideas on how to avoid private student loan debt.

How to View Your Annual Free Credit Report

The U.S. government provides access to free credit reports to all consumers. Every year, you're entitled to one copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency. Don't pay fees when you don't need to. Find out where and how to get your free credit reports.

FHA Loan Basics

FHA loans allow borrowers to buy a home with a low down payment. Loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which makes them easier to qualify for. Learn how FHA loans work and why they're not right for everybody.

Student Loans 101

Student loans are a way to pay for higher education. Whether you love debt or you hate it, student loans are an investment in your future. They can make an education possible when there is no other way. This page covers the basics of student loans and points you towards additional resources.

Before You Change Banks

If you’re going to change banks, make sure you do it right. A little bit of preparation before pulling the trigger can help you avoid headaches, save money, and end up in the right place.

How to Switch Banks

It may be time to switch banks for any number of reasons. Where to you start? Use this process to change from one bank to another without missing anything.

Avoid New Checking Fees

Free checking is not dead yet. While it’s now more difficult, you can still avoid checking fees at a number of banks and credit unions.

Credit Unions - Overview of Credit Unions

Most people never notice the differences between credit unions and banks. However, as an educated consumer looking to get the best deals (that is you, right?) you should know how the institutions differ. By reading these fast facts about credit unions, you’ll know what to expect.