Austin Cole – The News Desk

Current 5/1 ARM Mortgage Rates | Mortgages and Advice

16Dec

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Money

Current 5/1 ARM Mortgage Rates | Mortgages and Advice

National Average Mortgage RatesRates data is based on a borrower with good credit, a conforming loan amount (at least $200,000 but less than the national conforming loan amount), and a loan-to-value ratio of less than 80% (For purchase loans, this corresponds to a down payment of 20% or more). © Zillow, Inc., 2006-2016. Use is subject to Terms of UseU.S. News Expert Insights “Mortgage rates retreated further this week as incoming data on inflation and the labor market continues to point to a cooling economy. In its December meeting, the Federal Reserve elected to hold the federal funds rate at 5.25% to 5.5%, where it's been since July. It appears that the Fed's rate-hike cycle has likely come to an end, so now investors have turned their attention to when rate cuts might com...

How to Keep Your Information Safe When Online Banking

24Aug

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Money

How to Keep Your Information Safe When Online Banking

Online banking gives customers real-time access to their finances. The convenience and ease of access to information makes online banking great for everything from long-term financial planning to dealing with emergencies. The vast majority of traditional banks offer some form of digital banking in addition to their brick-and-mortar locations, while other banks are online-only.Mobile banking apps and online portals might provide extraordinary access to your finances, but some consumers are still worried about the security of online banking. Here is everything you need to know about protecting your information when banking online.Are Online Banks Safe and Secure?One of the main benefits to banking online is convenience. Many banks' services, such as verifying account balances, transferring ...

What Is a Voided Check and When to Use One

16Aug

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Money

What Is a Voided Check and When to Use One

Checking accounts aren't all about checks. They can also be used to receive direct deposits and make automated payments. These transactions can simplify your finances and give you more control over your deposits and withdrawals.In some cases, you can set up automated transactions online. In other cases, though, you'll have to fill out some paperwork and provide a voided check, which contains your bank's routing number and your account number on it.Here's what you need to know to provide that voided check.What Is a Voided Check?A voided check is a paper check that has the word "VOID" written across the front of it. How to Void a CheckIf you have to provide a voided check, you don't have to request one from your bank or credit union. You can just detach a check from your supply and write "V...

15Aug

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Money

How to Choose a Bank

With so many options available, identifying the financial institution that will best meet your needs can be a challenge. As you begin your search, keep one thing in mind: The bank you end up choosing should suit your financial situation.In fact, it may be best to have a relationship with multiple banks in order to meet all of your banking needs. "I think in this day and age, I don't think you're going to find a one-size-fits-all," says Charles Sachs, certified financial planner and chief investment officer at Kaufman Rossin Wealth, a financial planning firm. He says instead you may want to bank with a couple of institutions with different attributes.Not all banks are created equal. Each offers different types of accounts, services, interest rates, fees and more. Whether you're moving, hea...

15Aug

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Money

How Do Banks Work? | Banking Advice

What is a bank? A bank is a financial institution authorized to provide service options for customers who want to save, borrow or accrue more money.Banks typically accept deposits from, and offer loans to, their customers. They may also offer check-cashing or issuing services, credit or debit cards, and insurance options.Banks are not the only place where you can seek financial services; check-cashing businesses can help you receive funds without a checking account, for example. Credit unions also allow you to deposit and withdraw funds. But while banks may offer similar financial services as credit unions, banks are for-profit businesses that direct most of their financial returns to their shareholders. Learn more about how banks work and what services they offer.How Do Banks Work?Think ...

Freedom Debt Relief Review 2023| US News

10Aug

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Money

Freedom Debt Relief Review 2023| US News

What Can Freedom Debt Relief Be Used For? Freedom Debt Relief assists clients with settling unsecured debts, including: Credit card debt Medical bills Department store card debt Unsecured personal loan debt The company may offer debt settlement relief for private student loans and some business debts. It does not assist with secured debts, such as auto loans or mortgages, or federal student loans. How Does Freedom Debt Relief Work? You can call a Freedom Debt Relief debt consultant to ask about the program or fill out an online form to see if you are eligible for debt settlement with the company. Once you start working with Freedom Debt Relief, you will make monthly deposits into a dedicated account, with those savings earmarked for paying settlements. Freedom Debt Relief will negot...

9Aug

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Money

DMB Financial Review 2023 | US News

What Can DMB Financial Be Used For?The debts you can include in the DMB Financial debt settlement program must be unsecured, such as credit cards, personal loans and medical bills. DMB negotiates with each creditor separately.How Does DMB Financial Work?You can submit information about yourself and your debt through an online form, and then work with one of DMB Financial's program consultants. Next, you would pay into a separate savings account each month. During that time, you would not pay your creditors. DMB Financial would work with each creditor to try to settle the debt, using the money in the third-party savings account to pay the agreed-upon sum.What Are DMB Financial's Terms, Fees and Conditions?There is no fee for your consultation with the program consultant. DMB Financial does...

9Aug

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Money

Pacific Debt Inc. Review 2023

How Can Pacific Debt Relief Be Used? Pacific Debt Relief works with clients to settle most types of unsecured debts, including: Credit card debts. Personal loan debts. Medical bills. Collections and repossessions. Payday loans. Business debts. Some student loans. How Does Pacific Debt Relief Work?You will start by either applying for the Pacific Debt Relief program online or calling 800-909-9893 for a free consultation. Pacific Debt Relief will use a soft credit pull to develop a clearer picture of your financial situation, including types of debt and how much you owe.If you enroll in the program, you will stop paying specific creditors and start making monthly deposits to a special purpose savings account in your name. Pacific Debt Relief will begin negotiating with creditors, an...

29Jul

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Money

Protect Your Money From Zelle Scams

Zelle is an electronic person-to-person payment service offered by many U.S. banks as an alternative to nonbank P2P services, like PayPal or Venmo. Zelle is convenient, safe, secure and usually free if you have a bank checking or savings account.Those benefits combined with Zelle's near-instant and irreversible transactions make the service popular not only with consumers, but also scammers, who've used Zelle to steal millions of dollars from consumers' bank accounts. Users lost an estimated $440 million to Zelle scammers in 2021, according to Zelle parent company Early Warning Services. Find out how to protect yourself from Zelle scams and what to do if you lose money.How Does Zelle Work?Zelle is easy to use. To send funds, all you need to do is log in to your bank's online banking servi...

How to Switch Banks: A Step-by-Step Guide

26Jul

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Money

How to Switch Banks: A Step-by-Step Guide

But after you've made the decision to switch, the actual process of transferring funds from one account to another is more complex than simply hitting a button. Your old bank has worked hard to integrate itself into your daily life. "The ability to do the direct deposits, the ability to do the auto debits ... it causes people to keep the business at the bank," says Bill Schretter, a certified financial planner at Allworth Financial, an education-based fiduciary financial planning firm. "It makes it difficult (to switch).” In order to ensure a smooth transition from one bank to the next, there are a number of steps experts advise you to take.Here's how to switch banks: Open the New Account Take Inventory Redirect Automatic Payments and Direct Deposits Link Your Savings and Checking Acc...