Credit unions are well-known for putting a personal touch on loan processing and getting people with bad credit the loans they need. While personalized service is a great asset for any business, convenience is absolutely crucial in today’s mobile, online market. In this respect, credit unions still lag behind conventional banks. People enjoy the convenience of online banking from a variety of institutions, but credit unions are still experimenting with online banking and document management. [Read more...]

The economic outlook for the United States has been looking up in recent years. Corporations are reporting outstanding earnings as companies like Apple have surged to all time highs. Even the banking giant Bank of America (one of my core long term holdings) has seen its share price approach double digits. Corporate executives are back to making huge bonuses again at many of the firms troubled during the economic downturn. Even the stock market has almost doubled with the Dow Jones Industrial Average going over 13,000. There is however one group that has not made much progress over the past few years.

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Most first-time home buyers have an extensive to-do list that covers all the important steps in the process. Equally important, however, is a list of what not to do when buying a home. Missteps before and during the mortgage application process can end up costing thousands of dollars in added interest costs and in extreme cases can even prevent prospective homeowners from obtaining financing for their dream home. Here are seven things to avoid when planning the purchase of a new home. [Read more...]

Buying a home for your family is probably one of the biggest financial responsibilities that you will ever take on. While it is a big financial step, it is not one that should be overwhelming for the average person. It does involve several steps, but with a basic overview of the process, you should be able to complete it without any issues. [Read more...]

As an American abroad it can be difficult to come to terms with both a new way of life and a totally foreign financial sector. The American and British systems although they share many comparative terms and policies are executed in different ways and have to comply with government legislation and tax laws. Inheritance tax and capital gains tax both potentially affecting the amount of money either you or your family will receive when you cash in your policy or when your estate is being calculated. [Read more...]

The Dow Jones has been on a tear over the past few weeks as the market has taken a turn higher and advanced over 12,000. The market is on pace to finish out the year better than I predicted. I thought that the Dow Jones would close at 11,500 and it is currently above 12,200. The market has been pretty resilient this year surviving the economic news in Europe and fears of a double dip recession over the summer. So, can the market continue its upwards pattern in 2012? [Read more...]

It is easy to find cheap insurance quotes online and to get car insurance coverage. However, knowing what to do if your car insurance claim is rejected can be maddening. Spending a little time and effort researching the cause, can possibly result in the decision being reversed. If you feel that your claim is valid and should be decided in your favor, then do not give up. [Read more...]

I have always wondered why plan providers do not disclose what your are investing in exactly. Many company retirement plans have no idea what they own. Fund management companies should disclose the exact holdings of their funds to IRA and 401k investors. This will help company employees to know the exact funds that they are investing in. Unfortunately since many do not, employees are left holding portfolios that they are unsure about. [Read more...]