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	<title>The Sharpened Quill &#187; Banking</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/category/banking/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com</link>
	<description>A different point of view</description>
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		<title>Debt Management Plan &#8211; Credit Card Debt Forgiveness</title>
		<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/debt-management-plan-credit-card-debt-forgiveness</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/debt-management-plan-credit-card-debt-forgiveness#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:04:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Elanora Kelly</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consolidating credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Card Debt Forgiveness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair debt collection act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help with credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to consolidate debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to eliminate credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pay credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[settle credit card debt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/debt-management-plan-credit-card-debt-forgiveness</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[To understand the character of Mastercard debt forgiveness, you need to also establish or identify the laws surrounding it. An individual who has walked into the tangles of Visa card debt could have been thinking about methods to settle the account so he will be able to free himself of the finance burden. Or he already got in contact with a creditor and had his debt essentially settled.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To understand the character of Mastercard debt forgiveness, you need to also establish or identify the laws surrounding it. An individual who has walked into the tangles of Visa card debt could have been thinking about methods to settle the account so he will be able to free himself of the <a href="#" title="/personal/finance.html">finance</a> burden. Or he already got in contact with a creditor and had his debt essentially settled. </p>
<p>It is a fact that settling a debt can actually take the strain off the budget. However , there might or might not be tax consequences related to the method. There are a number of circumstances which will help you work out if you&#8217;ve a tax requirement to meet shortly after your debt has been forgiven.Of course, to settle your debt, you would need to go to a creditor and make an arrangement to pay a lower amount than your present balance. </p>
<p>The amount that you&#8217;ll accept is influenced both by your cleverness in negotiating and what your creditor is ready to accept. Chasing a Visa card debt forgiveness methodology permits an individual to shave off as much as fifty % of his total credit balance.Once your debt has been settled, the creditor will send you a 1099-c form, which is a cancellation of debt form. This form orders you to declare the settled debt as taxable revenue when you file your taxes. </p>
<p>Presupposing that you&#8217;ve a Visa card balance of $10,000 and your creditor accepts a compensation offer of $6,500. You must report the difference of $3,500 as earnings on your tax forms.If you&#8217;re a fortunate person, you may not have to report your settled debt as a taxable income. To be excused from this tax rule, you have to have filed a petition for bankruptcy. Another eventuality that may grant you leave from this requirement is when your liabilities surpasses your assets, as stated by IRS.</p>
<p>Before you try to calculate your insolvency, try to seek first the help of a tax professional for proper guidance and effective advice. Even if you feel that you have acquired a well-off amount of relief if your credit card debt is forgiven, there is a negative aspect of this situation. </p>
<p>Depending on the situation, your credit score will be significantly reduced (along with your debt balance) anywhere from 70 to 130 points. With this turn of events, you will most likely have a hard time getting a future credit application approved. And if ever you do get approved, you will have to pay a higher interest rate as well as pay a number of fees.</p>
<p>Looking to find the best deal on <a href='http://www.creditcarddebtforgiveness.net'>Credit Card Debt Forgiveness</a>, then visit creditcarddebtforgiveness.net to find the best advice on <a href='http://www.creditcarddebtforgiveness.net'>Credit Debt Relief</a> for you.</p>

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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/consolidating+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>consolidating credit card debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Credit+Card+Debt+Forgiveness' rel='tag' target='_self'>Credit Card Debt Forgiveness</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/fair+debt+collection+act' rel='tag' target='_self'>fair debt collection act</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/help+with+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>help with credit card debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/how+to+consolidate+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>how to consolidate debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/how+to+eliminate+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>how to eliminate credit card debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/pay+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>pay credit card debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/reduce+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>reduce credit card debt</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/settle+credit+card+debt' rel='tag' target='_self'>settle credit card debt</a></p>

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		<title>The Best Tips For Avoiding Business Bankruptcy</title>
		<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/the-best-tips-for-avoiding-business-bankruptcy</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/the-best-tips-for-avoiding-business-bankruptcy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:04:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason Myers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finance tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/the-best-tips-for-avoiding-business-bankruptcy</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From time to time you hear of attempts done to keep away from reporting for business bankruptcy between those tiny firms owned by individuals who does everything they can to struggle and survive between those sharks.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Every now and then you hear of attempts done to avoid reporting for business bankruptcy among those tiny offices owned by people who does everything they can to struggle and survive among those <a href="#" title="/">loan</a> sharks.</p>
<p>Throughout their fight to get to the top, they become so immersed in debt that they don&#8217;t even know where they are standing presently. It is common knowledge that these small firms are center and soul economy of any country since it is mostly through them that the larger firms get all their business. It would torment anyone psychologically to perceive their dream of creating big firms from scratch go down the drains.</p>
<p>It is unbelievable to understand that many of these tiny economic firms have a helping hand of credit counsellors behind them. In this situation the bank doesn&#8217;t get all their money back, but yet it is far better as the firm doesn&#8217;t need to report for business bankruptcy. If they had to be shoved to that confines, they would lose all the investment they made on their business and it would damage their own financial lives too. When the businesses go through credit counsellors, they receive their payments set up by a system which they can gather easily.</p>
<p>You do have a number of choices in order to avoid business bankruptcy. One of them is looking for <a href="#" title="/">loans</a> that provide low favourable interests so that you can settle all your remaining high interest rate debt with them and then make low monthly payments. You can also sell a number of your investments which you feel are not providing much towards your business proceedings. You could also lower the wages of any staff that you may have.</p>
<p>You could either go to your stock brokers who can assist you with increasing the prices of your shares. You may give them higher commission rates, like 8%-12% therefore they will be motivated to think about your requests.</p>
<p>Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about <a href="http://www.mybusinesstips.net">business tips</a> news. He&#8217;s also interested in <a href="http://www.mypersonalfinancetips.net">personal finance tips</a>.</p>

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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/finance+tips' rel='tag' target='_self'>finance tips</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/online+money' rel='tag' target='_self'>online money</a></p>

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		<title>New Rule Makes Now The Time To Settle Old Credit Card Debt Banks</title>
		<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/new-rule-makes-now-the-time-to-settle-old-credit-card-debt-banks</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/new-rule-makes-now-the-time-to-settle-old-credit-card-debt-banks#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:04:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[negotiated settlement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[settlement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/new-rule-makes-now-the-time-to-settle-old-credit-card-debt-banks</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Defaults on credit card debt continues to soar and it is about to get worse for the banks issuing the cards. A proposed change in a Federal Accounting Standard could jack up the default rate by a third requiring banks to increase their reserves which in turn would decrease the capital available to lend.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Chris A Smith</div>
<p>Defaults on credit card debt continues to soar and it is about to get worse for the banks issuing the cards. A proposed change in a Federal Accounting Standard could jack up the default rate by a third requiring banks to increase their reserves which in turn would decrease the capital available to lend.  </p>
<p>So what does that mean for the consumer?   </p>
<p>If you are seriously behind on your credit card bill and you see no way to pay it on a timely basis, now is the time to negotiate a discounted cash settlement.  You may be able to save thirty to forty percent of what you owe.  It&#8217;s a good idea to use a non-profit credit counseling service to walk you through the process and develop a plan to pay for the settlement.</p>
<p>It is a common practice of banks to bundle credit card <a href="#" title="/">loans</a> into an investment vehicle and then sell them on the market.  When they do this, they don&#8217;t have to show those loans on their balance sheet as they are &#8220;off the books&#8221; deals.  The change in the accounting standard will stop this practice and those loans will have to be shown on the bank&#8217;s books.</p>
<p>Banks are regulated and are required to keep a certain percentage of outstanding loans as a cash reserve for defaults. If the loans are &#8220;off the books&#8221; they are not included in the balance sheet and therefore the bank does not have to keep a reserve on them.  </p>
<p>The accounting change will require that off the books loans be placed on the balance sheet and be subject to the requirements of any other <a href="#" title="/">loan</a>.  What this means is banks will need to greatly increase their cash reserves.  To give an idea of how big an impact this will have; American Express says it will have to add $28 billion to its loan balance, Discover $20 billion and Citigroup, a bailout recipient, has to add $98 billion.</p>
<p>That huge influx of new loan liability will require that billions of dollars will have to be set aside as reserves.  The fact that at least 10% of those loans are bad has motivated the banks to clean them up as fast as they can.  If they can get $600 on a $1000 balance, that means they have just saved on the amount of reserve required for a $1000 loan.  Banks are so motivated to reduce the number of delinquent debt that they are actually calling consumers themselves, not using collection agencies, and offering settlements.</p>
<p>There really is no downside for the consumer. By being late on the payments, the consumer&#8217;s credit rating is already damaged. If the cash can be put together the consumer can get a significant discount on their debt. However, the time to act is now. Late fees and a default interest rate of 30% are still being applied so why wait.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>Chris A Smith follows the <a href="#" title="/personal/finance.html">personal finance</a> and credit issues and has authored informative and useful articles on savings, <a href="http://www.trycreditfix.com/Bankruptcy-Chapter-7-and-13.html">bankruptcy</a>, credit rebuilding, credit law and much more. Be sure to chek out the <a href="http://www.trycreditfix.com/credit_rebuilding.html">video</a> Don&#8217;t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford</div>
</div>

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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/negotiated+settlement' rel='tag' target='_self'>negotiated settlement</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/settlement' rel='tag' target='_self'>settlement</a></p>

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		<title>Possible Mortgage Rate Scenarios For 2009</title>
		<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/possible-mortgage-rate-scenarios-for-2009</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/possible-mortgage-rate-scenarios-for-2009#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:09:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg Harpery</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interest rate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage interest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage loan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/possible-mortgage-rate-scenarios-for-2009</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Wouldn't it be super to know upfront what the mortgage interest ratewould look like in the near future. Especially in these shifting times. Based on past events, we can not make predictions that are 100% accurate, but we can make a pretty educated guess.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Greg Harpery</div>
<p>Wouldn&#8217;t it be super to know upfront what the mortgage interest ratewould look like in the near future. Especially in these shifting times. Based on past events, we can not make predictions that are 100% accurate, but we can make a pretty educated guess.</p>
<p>Lender ads are all over the place, boasting super low interest rates. The fact that only individuals with an above 700 credit score are entitled these low interest rates is frequently not brought up in the advertisement. Besides the high credit prerequisite, you will frequently need to make a big down payment to be eligible for a below five percent interest rate. If you don&#8217;t have a spotless credit report, like most of us, you will have to pay a bit more interest.</p>
<p>During the last few months, interest rates have consistently gone down. What everyone wants to know is when the market will hit it&#8217;s bottom. Buying now may be a losing proposition, because interest rates may sink even further. But if you hold off on your decision, and interest rates suddenly go up, you also lose. </p>
<p>Mortgage applications are pouring in the past couple of months. Due to the sudden rise in applications, lenders can&#8217;t keep up. Mortgage interest is positioned to keep going down, but we will see a bounce in the near future.</p>
<p>This bounce is not a negative thing. What you want to do is wait it out and buy when interest rates are coming down again. The mortgage market will reach it&#8217;s bottom in that period and you can profit from it. getting a fixed rate mortgage if you can. By making this decision, you lock in the low interest and protect yourself from interest climbing again.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>Greg writes about mortgages and <a href="#" title="/">loans</a>. He also writes in Dutch about <a href="http://maximalehypotheek.web-log.nl">goedkope hypotheek</a> and <a href="http://hypotheekadviseurs.punt.nl">goedkoopste hypotheek</a>.</div>
</div>

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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/bank' rel='tag' target='_self'>bank</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Banking' rel='tag' target='_self'>Banking</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/home+loan' rel='tag' target='_self'>home loan</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/interest+rate' rel='tag' target='_self'>interest rate</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/lender' rel='tag' target='_self'>lender</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Money' rel='tag' target='_self'>Money</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/mortgage' rel='tag' target='_self'>mortgage</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/mortgage+interest' rel='tag' target='_self'>mortgage interest</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/mortgage+loan' rel='tag' target='_self'>mortgage loan</a></p>

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		<title>Save Money Using High Interest Rate Savings Accounts</title>
		<link>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/save-money-using-high-interest-rate-savings-accounts</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/save-money-using-high-interest-rate-savings-accounts#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:58:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Word Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cash Inflow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consensus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High Interest Rate Savings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesharpenedquill.com/save-money-using-high-interest-rate-savings-accounts</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fred Peters asked: Are you just wasting your savings in a traditional savings account? Many Americans out of habit settle for very low interest savings rates. But, you don&#8217;t have to. There are many great options today for high interest rate savings. What are high interest rate savings? These are payments made by the bank [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/saving_money.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/saving_money.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><em><strong>Fred Peters</strong> asked: </em></p>
<p>Are you just wasting your savings in a traditional savings account? Many Americans out of habit settle for very low interest savings rates. But, you don&#8217;t have to. There are many great options today for high interest rate savings.</p>
<p>What are high interest rate savings? These are payments made by the bank to you for leaving your money in the bank. By depositing your money in the bank, your bank utilizes a portion of it in its loan operations where it subsequently earns through interest and loan charges. In effect, the income they receive trickles down to you, their source of money. This savings interest rate is actually an effective incentive system. Why so? If you save more money in your bank account through your deposits and savings, you end up receiving a higher return on the savings interest rate than other people would.</p>
<p>The last one is perhaps the most obvious feature of the bank that people do not take advantage of. A bank, being a financial intermediary, can actually help you save money efficiently. Here&#8217;s how.</p>
<p>First, you are required to keep what is called a maintaining balance in your bank account. This means that even if you make deductions in your account, the bank requires you to save a bare minimum in order to continue enjoying their services. And yes, that translates to a forced saving on your part.</p>
<p>When it comes to financial management, even business professionals reach a consensus as to what is the most effective, reliable, and secure means to manage your money, and that is through the bank. Your bank is an effective means to manage your bills payments, keep track of your transactions, receive your income and whatever extraneous cash inflow, and help you save effectively.</p>
<p>Another feature of bank saving is the fact that you are free to continuously add to your account whenever you can. Otherwise, your money will remain safe in your bank. Moreover, while it&#8217;s staying in the bank, you are actually earning interest rates on your money.</p>
<p>Banks have a threshold amount for you to be able to participate in the bank&#8217;s long-term, higher yield savings schemes. Time-deposit accounts, mutual funds and the like require you to leave your money untouched for a longer period of time. In exchange for the bank&#8217;s use of your money for a longer period of time, the percentages of interest return are double those that you would get in a regular savings account. You can add increments of a certain amount in order to increase the capital you invest in your time-deposit account or mutual fund. An increased account obviously translates to bigger interest gains.</p>
<p>Talk to your local bank about their savings schemes. They offer various mechanisms to encourage us consumers to entrust their money to them. In a bank, your money is in a safe place, and it is growing while it stays there.</p>
<p>But, don&#8217;t just settle for a low interest rate for your savings account. Do your research. Go online and find a high interest rate and open an account at that bank.</p>
</div>

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