Credit News & Latest Credit Headlines

Abracadabra! Bankrupt Cities are Suddenly Un-Bankrupt! (Or Not)

3:45PM 11/30/2011

Economy, JP Morgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway, Citigroup, Credit

Last month, Harrisburg, Pa., tried to throw in the financial towel and declare Chapter 9, but a judge threw out the bankruptcy petition. That doesn't mean the city is magically healthy again, though, and it's not the only municipality in similar straits. Here's why it matters to the rest of the country.

Americans' Financial Distress Is Getting Worse Again

12:30PM 11/17/2011

By Catherine New

Economy, Credit

Americans' economic health appears to be edging closer to code red: The Consumer Distress Index fell sharply in the third quarter, indicating that more of us are falling behind financially.

Bank Errors Make Lowest Interest Rates Harder to Land

3:01PM 11/07/2011

By Jonathan Berr, The Motley Fool

Credit, Banking

Borrowers looking to capitalize on historically low interest rates to refinance or buy homes are discovering those rates are often out of reach -- and not necessarily because of their credit scores. Understaffed banks, rigid rules, and low-ball appraisals are costing customers the best deals.

Starbucks Takes on U.S. Jobs Woes with Loans, Bracelets

3:00PM 11/01/2011

By Claire Gordon

Economy, People, Starbucks, Credit

On Tuesday, Starbucks launched "Create Jobs for USA," a program to raise loan funds for small businesses. We talked to CEO Howard Schultz about his concerns about gridlock in Washington, unemployment, the need for a sense of solidarity, and the role of corporate leaders in getting America out of this downturn.

More Southerners Are Off the Banking Grid

4:00PM 10/27/2011

By Catherine New

Credit, Banking

More people in Southeast don't have bank accounts than in any other part of the country. Mississippi leads the country with more than 16% of households using cash-and-carry for all their transactions. That's a situation that can keep families from climbing the ladder of success.

As Customers Flee, Big Banks Don't Seem to Care

7:10AM 10/24/2011

By Catherine New

Bank of America, Credit, Banking

Credit unions, mid-size banks and online institutions are eagerly stepping up to capture banking customers who are fed up with increasing fees at the biggest banks. And so far, it seems, those big banks don't mind losing their business.

Debunking Credit Score Myths

5:20PM 10/11/2011

By Catherine New

Credit, Visa

Your credit score has nothing to do with your age, gender or career. Here are the five factors that matter.

How This Credit Card Can Stop You from Overspending

11:00AM 9/29/2011

By Laura Rowley

Credit, Video

Americans are expected to accumulate $54 billion in credit card debt in 2011, according to a recent study. So imagine a card that you can program to control your spending -- one that actually shuts off if you blow past your monthly budget at your favorite shoe store, or sends you an alert when you eat out more than you planned.

Consumers Face Rising Bank Fees, Fewer Perks

4:00PM 9/26/2011

By Dawn Kawamoto, The Motley Fool

Credit, Banking, Credit Cards

Consumers' wallets are really getting the squeeze these days as banks continue to raise ATM and bounced check fees. Meanwhile, the percentage of free checking accounts is on a steady decline, according to a new Bankrate survey.

Divorced Mom Asks: How Do I Rebound Financially?

7:30AM 9/23/2011

By Laura Rowley

Credit, Family Money

Splitting up makes a mess of your finances, as Lynn, a nurse living in Florida knows all too well. Her 2008 divorce from her husband of 28 years left her in debt, with bad credit, and with limited financial skills. She's already begun to dig out, but she needs a better plan.