Perkstreet Debit

21 Jul 2010 | by Porfirio Hillman | No Comments »

Want to earn rewards without accumulating debt? Well now you can with PerkStreet Financial’s first 2% cash back program for debit card users who have a daily opening balance of at least $5,000. Customers will continue to earn PerkStreet’s standard 1% cash back on all non-PIN debit card purchases even when their account balance is less than $5,000. The new “PerkStreet Financial Visa” Debit Card allows you to earn up to 5% cash back at preferred merchants or in specified categories, making available to the typical American family over $600 annually in exchange for their everyday spending. The membership fee-free “PerkStreet Financial Visa” will be announcing many other special opportunities to earn up to 5% throughout the year.

Tags: Debit

3 Top Retail Credit Cards

18 Jul 2010 | by Billy Miller | No Comments »

Retail credit cards are not known for their advantages over traditional credit cards. They often come with low limits, excessive fees or high interest rates. However, some retail credit cards stand out among the rest for their notable perks and features.

It’s never advisable to open a retail card account just to enjoy a one-time discount at the register because of the long-term effects that card could have on your credit. That said, if you’re a frequent shopper at one of the following stores that makes our top three, the corresponding card may be a good option for you.

Sears MasterCard

One of the biggest advantages of this retail credit card is the co-branding. It is both a retail card and a MasterCard, which means you aren’t limited to where you can use it. Additionally, it helps you save money on all of your purchases, not just when the cashier offers you a discount if you open one.

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Wall Street Reform: What Does It Mean For Credit Cards?

17 Jul 2010 | by Porfirio Hillman | No Comments »

After weeks of partisan bickering, the Senate finally voted this afternoon 60 to 39 to pass Wall Street reform. Officially deemed the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, it is now headed to Obama’s desk, which he said will be signed next week. Despite the bloated size of 2,319 pages, some feel the bill leaves us with more questions than answers.

Almost everyone agrees that reform is needed, but many question whether this watered-down version addresses the problems… or just creates new ones. For example, the bill remains silent on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Derivatives and hedge funds get to continue their wild West ways. Twelve new regulatory agencies will be created, but almost nothing will be done to fix the 115 current federal and state financial regulatory agencies (only one of them will be consolidated). In

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New credit check requirements cause of concern for mortgage lenders

16 Jul 2010 | by Mildred Matthews | No Comments »

New credit check requirements cause of concern for mortgage lenders.

Fannie Mae recently introduced a new rule that would require lenders to run an extra credit check on potential borrowers before they closed on their mortgages. That requirement caused some consternation from consumers, and now lenders are also expressing their concern.

According to a report in the Washington Post, because Fannie Mae has been requiring a second check right before closing, many banks have suffered through logistical nightmares. Some consumers may have been unaware of the new requirement and gone out and gotten new loans. Full Post…