Credit & Loans

Despite the recessions, citizens continue to take financial risks and spend outside of their means without fully appreciating the potential consequences for both themselves and the wider economy.

Thinking of buying a home? We look at the initial and ongoing costs, as well as the so-called benefits.

Here is a look at some of the major changes to FAFSA in 2013 and how they will affect students' financial aid.

In the past few years reverse mortgages have been heavily marketed as the way to become debt, and worry, free. For some seniors a reverse mortgage makes sense, for other though this dream product can quickly become a nightmare.

According to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, one in four consumers identified errors on their reports that might affect their credit rating in 2013.

On the face of it, figuring out how a bank makes money is a pretty straightforward affair. A bank earns a spread on the money it lends out from the money it takes in as a deposit. The net interest margin (NIM), which most banks report quarterly, represents this spread, which is simply the difference ...

If the current level of economic growth is to be maintained and improved upon, citizens must play their part by practicing responsible spending and borrowing.

While it is not possible to repay your debts without investing money into the process, you should avoid spending unnecessary sums of cash in the pursuit of a financially liberated future.

Lines of credit are potentially useful hybrids of credit cards and normal loans. Learn how a line of credit can help (and hurt) your finances, and how to find the best one to suit your needs.

It's high time investors heed the yellow caution flags waving in front of their margin accounts. Much like the NASCAR driver who pumps his brakes to avoid disaster when he sees the caution flag, it's time for us to slow down.

Retail banking refers to the division of a bank that deals directly with retail customers. Also known as consumer banking or personal banking, retail banking is the visible face of banking to the general public. Corporate banking, also known as business banking, refers to the aspect of banking that deals ...

A new federal loan interest rate went into effect on Monday, doubling from the previous rate of 3.4% to 6.8%. Despite the hike, there's actually little cause for alarm for the majority of people with student loan debt.

Deficiencies in the FICO credit report have led to the creation of a new credit scoring system - the Vantagescore. Find out what factors determine this credit score, and how the model can benefit you.

Rising tuition fees and an ailing job market continue to perpetuate a cycle of spiralling student debt and lost opportunities. Has post-secondary education become a bad investment?

Commercial paper is a short-term instrument that can be a viable alternative for retail fixed-income investors looking for a better rate of return on their money.

With the average credit card holder owning 3.5 cards, it’s important to manage and keep track of purchases made with your card, so you don’t go over your credit card limit or cap.

Credit card arbitrage is a way to make some money, but it's a major gamble with devastating risks.

We interact with commercial banks daily to carry out simple financial tasks. That said, the function and creation of a commercial bank is anything but simple.

A banker's acceptance, a common way of financing international trade activity, provides a relatively safe, short-term vehicle for investors. An acceptance is a negotiable time draft that a bank guarantees to pay at a predetermined date.

Understand how rate changes can affect home prices, and learn how you can keep up.

Find out the most common reasons the bank will fear your credit card has been stolen ... even when it hasn't.

Find out some of the ways you can lessen your interest payments and avoid other unnecessary penalties that lurk in the fine print.

Peer-to-peer lending can be an inexpensive way to gain access to credit when banks are restricting lending -- but you need to understand the entire deal first before jumping in.

A line of credit is an arrangement where a bank offers a maximum loan amount that the borrower can draw upon at any time. The borrower – which can be an individual, business or government entity – has the flexibility to take out as much as they want, up to the maximum amount. Lines of ...

Conspicuous consumption could be robbing you of future wealth.

Canadian mortgages aren’t tax-deductible like the U.S.-based mortgages, but there's a way around this hurdle.

Find out what you can do to stand out from the competition and make your home an easy sell.

Find out if spreading your wings to try a new career will make you soar or fall flat.

A look at the various components and considerations that go into one's credit report and credit score.

Find out how your business can get the money it needs - even when the bank says "no".

This year, find out how to stretch your tax refund further to strengthen your future.

Find which benefits from reward programs count as income in the eyes of the IRS.

Break through the stereotypes and find out how to manage your life to meet your needs.

Blood, sweat and tears should belong in the gym, but your money deserves some training time too.

Don't let these excuses prevent you from reaching your financial goals.

You don't need a degree to understand your money, begin saving and pay down debt.

This option can save you big bucks, but only if you watch out for rates and fees.

Dealing with a collection agency is scary if you don't know your rights. We help you take back the power.

Find out how you can negotiate your way to a lower debt load by paying up front.

Learn how the "sandwich generation" can save for retirement while taking care of their kids and parents.

Paying for everything with your credit card will earn you rewards and protect you against fraud, among other benefits.

With the number of credit cards in circulation exceeding the nation's population, card issuers have developed various ways of sweetening the deal.

Every penny that you keep out of the liability side of the net worth equation essentially ends up on the asset side.

Watch out for these costly mistakes while in school.

This article looks at short-term borrowing and why low-income citizens should avoid it.

The peer-to-peer lending industry continues to flourish. What does this mean for the future of loans from banks?

Although payday loans may seem like an attractive option in a pinch, they may also leave you worse off in the long run.