FDIC: FDIC Consumer News Offers Tips on Dealing with Debt
Whether you have a little bit of debt or a lot, managing it wisely and ultimately paying off what you owe can be crucial to your financial well-being. The Fall 2017 FDIC Consumer News suggests ways to handle different kinds of debt, including: What to do if you’re struggling to pay your loans, credit cards…
FHFA: Maximum Conforming Loan Limits Announced for 2018
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2018. In most of the U.S., the 2018 maximum conforming loan limit for one-unit properties will be $453,100, an increase from $424,100 in 2017. Baseline limit The Housing and Economic…
CFPB: A Five-Step Spending Plan to Avoid Holiday Debt
The holidays can put a financial burden even on the savviest of shoppers and savers. But like most things, taking time to plan can help you avoid the stress that comes with overspending. Before you hit the mall or shop for Black Friday deals, keep reading to learn how to make a holiday spending plan…
CFPB: Five Ways Banks and Lenders Work with People Who Speak or Understand Limited English
By Alice Chang and Dubis Correal and Holly Zaharchuk More than one out of every 12 people over the age of five in the U.S. are limited English proficient (LEP), meaning that they speak English less than very well, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey One-Year Estimates. LEP consumers may…
Federal Reserve: Speech | Where Do Consumers Fit in the FinTech Stack?
Where Do Consumers Fit in the Fintech Stack? Governor Lael Brainard The new generation of fintech tools offers the potential to help consumers manage their increasingly complicated financial lives, but also poses risks that will need to be managed as the marketplace matures.1 In many ways, the new generation of fintech tools can be seen…
CFPB: Report Finds Sharp Increase in Riskier Longer-Term Auto Loans
Six-Year Auto Loans Carry Higher Costs and Higher Default Rates than Five-Year Auto Loans The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released a report on auto loan trends that found a sharp increase in riskier longer-term auto loans. According to the report, 42 percent of auto loans made in the last year carried a payback…
ABA: Foundation Releases Inaugural Survey Detailing Bank Efforts to Serve and Protect Seniors
In recognition of Family Caregivers Month, the ABA Foundation released its inaugural Older Americans Benchmarking Report, an unprecedented survey detailing how banks across the country are working with seniors and their financial caregivers to address the growing threat of elder financial fraud. To produce the report, the ABA Foundation surveyed 103 banks of all sizes…
ABA Report: Credit Card Market Expands in Second Quarter, Mirroring Economic Growth
Credit card use continued to expand in the second quarter, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest Credit Card Market Monitor. Monthly purchase volumes rebounded after a seasonal decline in the first quarter, rising by 9 percent across risk tiers. On an annual basis, purchase volumes rose 4.9 percent for prime accounts and 5.2 percent…
CFPB: How to Get a Handle on Debt
By Courtney-Rose Dantus There are many steps both big and small to getting a handle on your debt. If you’re unsure where to turn for help or who to trust, you’re not alone. We estimate that about one in three people have been contacted by a creditor or collector seeking to collect a debt within…
CFPB: Principles Outlined for Consumer-Authorized Financial Data Sharing and Aggregation
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today outlined principles for protecting consumers when they authorize third party companies to access their financial data to provide certain financial products and services. These principles are intended to help foster the development of innovative financial products and services, increase competition in financial markets, and empower consumers to take…