ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Vultures and Victims
Has anyone noticed how many loan companies now fill up the commercial breaks? Sofa, after of sofa of happy couples are shown, with carefully manipulated stereotypes discussing the consolidation of their finances, recommending a particular provider. Couples, who have had loan requests knocked back from the standard, high street or traditional credit lenders, find themselves turning to alternative finance providers in the hope that they can move their debt situations forward. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, there is increasing concern that UK consumers are assuming unmanageable amounts of debt, which may become a precarious situation should interest rates rise or if the relatively stable macroeconomic climate takes a turn for the worst. Despite these concerns, the Foundation asserts: "Even a casual observer of the financial scene in the UK will have been struck by the increased marketing of products ? including mortgages and remortgages, car loans and debt consolidation loans ? specifically to people who have an impaired credit record or who are finding their existing debt difficult to mange. It might be predicted that such borrowers would be particularly vulnerable to unmanageable debt." Lending to people with an impaired credit record is typically called sub-prime lending, a term more familiar with people in the US, than the UK. A number of lenders have entered this market who target their products to a customer market branded sub-prime, non-conforming or non status. In the US, this market is significantly more established and a lot of the US companies operating in this field are now marketing their products in the UK. The sheer size of the prime and sub-prime lender UK market led it to be labelled the most 'complete' in the world by the Miles review in 2004. High street 'prime' lenders tend to operate under strict requirements and guidelines, seeking 'prime' customers based on criteria such as: * Past evidence of a good repayment record * Good personal characteristics (stable employment, income level, registered on electoral register) The prime lending system excludes many who wish to borrow and may be able to repay the loans, but are not awarded the required credit score. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that more than 25% of general credit applications and over 30% of mortgage applications are turned down because the standard criteria cannot be met, based on research by the Council of Mortgage Lenders in 2002. The type of credit offered to sub-prime borrowers is called adverse credit. Adverse credit is available in a variety of forms including: * Adverse loans (incorporating debt consolidation loans) * Adverse mortgages or non-standard mortgages (encompassing first mortgages for sub-prime borrowers and remortgages for sub-prime borrowers) * Adverse credit cards All adverse credit products impose higher rates of interest on the borrower. Some of these financial products have been set up to genuinely help consumers that have fallen out of the mainstream assistance offered by high street banks. Yet there is growing concern, that if sub-prime borrowers do not do their homework on the options available to them, they become even more vulnerable. Websites such as the personal finance research specialist Moneynet http://www.moneynet.co.uk provide extensive information on the different adverse credit products available, including adverse loans, adverse credit cards and non-standard mortgages. Many sub-prime borrowers who hold adverse credit cards complain of unduly high APRs, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. These borrowers also complain that initial discounted rates are subsequently dropped following a single late repayment. It is a breach of the Consumer Credit Act to increase the rate of interest on default of repayments, but some sub-prime lenders get round this legislation by imposing a discounted rate which simply reverts to a 'normal' rate on default. The report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation provides an insight into the vastly inflated interest rates on some secured debt consolidation loans and unsecured debt consolidation loans, including some truly appalling horror stories from people who had failed to shop around for the best deal and neglected to read the small print. Resources: About Rachel: Rachel is a wee lassie living in Scotland and can make the following words out of the letters in her name: * car * ache * char * leach * reach * arch * hear * real * If you come up with any others, email me at: rachel@positiveinterest.com
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Debt Consolidation Makes Sense Only with Low Interest Rates Credit that cannot be managed or is not being repaid requires debt consolidation. Debt consolidation offers borrowers with a chance to repay their high interest loans at low interest rate. You must be thinking, 'it sounds good, but how is it possible.' How can high interest loans repaid at low interest. Debt Consolidation: A Way Out? When you are living paycheck to paycheck and it seems everyone is getting a piece of the pie except for you, debt consolidation may help you free up a little bit of cash each month. Debt consolidation is usually a great option if you are paying several minimum payments per month on high interest credit cards or loans. If you are behind on any payments, debt consolidation may save your credit, or at least clean it up a bit. Why Choose a Debt Consolidation Loan? Are you wondering why choose a debt consolidation loan? If you are one of the many people who continually struggle to cope with an ever increasing amount of debt the solution could well be within your reach. Getting the Most Out of Consolidation Loans UK Before letting too much debt or too many payments get the better of you, consider applying for consolidation loans UK. What You Need to Know About Debt Consolidation Loans UK Should you find yourself over your head in debt, you might want to start looking into debt consolidation loans UK . These loans are designed for the person who needs help in taking care of their outstanding debt, keeping them from bankruptcy. Vultures and Victims Has anyone noticed how many loan companies now fill up the commercial breaks? Sofa, after of sofa of happy couples are shown, with carefully manipulated stereotypes discussing the consolidation of their finances, recommending a particular provider. Couples, who have had loan requests knocked back from the standard, high street or traditional credit lenders, find themselves turning to alternative finance providers in the hope that they can move their debt situations forward. Debt Consolidation Confusion Learning about debt consolidation can be quite a confusing venture for your average person. There is plenty of conflicting information to be found about debt consolidation. If you have explored debt consolidation as a solution to your financial stress then this is probably not news to you. What is Debt Consolidation? Debt consolidation may be the answer for anyone drowning in a sea of unpaid bills. Debt consolidation lumps all of your unsecured debts including credit card bills, doctor, dentist, veterinary, and other service provider bills ? any bills that are not secured by collateral or property such as an automobile or a house ? into one monthly payment. Debt Consolidation ? Consolidate Your Student Loans Now! The Federal student loan program has benefited thousands of college students in the forty years since it was introduced. Interest rates for the program have historically been quite competitive, and the program has allowed many people to acquire a college education who otherwise might not have been able to afford one. Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loan Nowadays, many people can get into a bad credit situation if they do not keep track of their income and expenditure. Many young executives suddenly find that they are being offered credit cards by various companies. Those who are sensible will find a credit card that suits their needs, sign up, keep track of their purchases, pay off their credit card bills in full each month, and ignore offers from other companies. Credit Card Blues For the average American family, debt, and especially credit card debt is spiraling out of control at a record pace. The average household credit card debt has risen dramatically from $3000 in 1990 to over $8000 today. Personal bankruptcies are also at an all time high, prompting Congress to consider a radical bankruptcy law overhaul, designed to weed out those who are merely taking advantage of the system loopholes while directing many to more palliative alternatives such as a debt management program. Debt Consolidation Solution Debt Consolidation is a solution that solves your debts. Debt is a financial hazard. It occurs when you borrow money for some personal expenses and is unable to pay the amount back to the creditors on time. With this overpowering impact of consumer goods, individuals today are deep down in debts or prone to it. Debt has thus spread like a curse across the nation and become a threat for almost every individual. The Benefits of Debt Consolidation It is quiet easy to get into financial difficulty having a home mortgage, a car truck or SUV loan and credit card repayments. There are now considerably more individuals than ever before with greater debts than they can afford. If you are in financial trouble due to credit card debt, then a debt consolidation loan may be the best solution. How To Get Rid Of Debt Problems Step 3 -- How To Negotiate Reduced Payments With Creditors First, make a list of your creditors (NOTE: you should only attempt to re-negotiate payments on your UNSECURED debts if you wish to avoid the risk that an item upon which a debt is secured could be re-possessed) Avoid Bankruptcy The first but definitely not the easiest thought that comes to most people when they are neck-deep in debt is to file bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy seems to be the last straw left in the deluge of unpaid bills and abusive creditor calls. The situation is somewhat like this. You buy whatever catches your fancy and you thank yourself you had the blessed credit cards. It's good as long as you are spending. Negotiate Your Way Out Of Debt Eliminating your debt is a daunting task. What can you do to get out of debt fast? Believe it or not, negotiation along with proper financial responsibility is your foothold out of the rat race. Learning how to eliminate your debt might be one of the most important life skills that you learn because it can bring you happiness and fulfillment. In order to successfully eliminate your debt, you must use a combination of self-control, proper negotiating skills, and some future planning. Debt Consolidation ? Discipline is Required if Consolidating with Home Equity Debt consolidation is a popular topic these days. The average American carries nearly $10,000 in credit card debt and credit card debt of $100,000 is not all that unusual. New legislation that takes effect in October 2005 is going to make it harder for those with problem debt to file for bankruptcy, so many people are trying to find ways to consolidate their debt instead. One of the most popular ways to do that is through a home equity loan, but borrowers need to be careful, as there are potential problems with borrowing against your home to pay other debts. Debt Consolidation Loans: Thousands Now Out Of Debt, Who Never Thought They Would Be! A Debt consolidation loan: Is a personal loan you use to pay all your debts. You may odtain it from a finance company, bank, credit union, debt consolidation company, merchant association, debt pooling service, or nonprofit consumer debt service. You may also borrow from friends and relatives. Is A Debt Consolidation Loan Your Best Option? For many people the lure of easy credit has taken them into the forbidden zone of debt. Between debt on regular credit cards, shopping store credit cards, home equity lines of credit, mortgages and car payments it's no wonder consumers are finding themselves financially and emotionally drained as they float in a sea of debt. Credit Counseling ? Congress Offers No Details in New Law The recently passed Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act was hailed as a breakthrough in bankruptcy law. Passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed enthusiastically by President Bush, the law creates sweeping changes in debt law and will make it much more difficult for debtors to have their obligations swept away by the courts. A major requirement of the new law will require that anyone considering filing for bankruptcy to first undergo credit counseling. The idea is sound; anyone with problem debt can probably benefit from some discussions about money management. There's just one problem ? Congress failed to include any details in the bill about what, exactly, constitutes credit counseling.
|
|
|
|
|
