Hurricane Katrina taught some important lessons three years ago. Most importantly, preparedness when it comes to health and safety are necessary issues on which to spend time and energy. However, when faced with an unexpected situation, people should also spend time on a financial preparedness plan. Wide-scale emergencies are not topics people

Banking has changed in many ways through the centuries. The oldest forms of banking were often simple loans issued to businesses to purchase their goods. Once the goods were sold, the lender collected the money for the loan with interest. Today's banks have diversified their services and products, with the goal of providing fast and efficient servi

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Internet offers a safe and convenient way to shop for financial services as well as conduct banking business from the comforts of home. The challenge for many mature adults, however, lies in understanding that online banking allows bank clients to bypass time-consuming aspects of tr

While the concept of living within in your means may seem pretty straightforward, actually learning to spend less than what you make can be a challenge. Even in light of recent financial turmoil, many Americans today are making solid incomes and yet have less and less to show for it. Actually, they have plenty to show for it -- large amounts of

With approximately 63 million Americans banking online, according to a recent study, it's getting harder to remember what life was like before it. As online banking gains widespread acceptance, more banks are offering web-based products and services to enhance communication and support with their clients. One of the most popular features of onl

A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan. While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt. It is a transfer of an interest in land, from the owner to the mortgage lender, on the condition that this interest will be returned to the owner of the real estate when the terms of the mor

Equity stripping, also known as equity skimming or foreclosure rescue, is any of various predatory real estate practices aimed at vulnerable, often low-income, homeowners facing foreclosure in the United States. Often considered a form of predatory lending, equity stripping began to spring up in the early 2000s and is conducted by investors or smal

A bank bag is typically a course leather or plastic bag with a zipper or closure that easily holds financial currency such as money, deposit slips and credit cards. Most financial institutions offer bank bags upon the opening of new accounts. One can request a bank bag also but there may be an optimal charge if you already have an account. Bank bag

A promissory note, also referred to as a note payable in accounting, is a contract where one party (the maker or issuer) makes an unconditional promise in writing to pay a sum of money to the other (the payee), either at a fixed or determinable future time or on demand of the payee, under specific terms. They differ from IOUs in that they contain a

A credit report is not only a person's borrowing history, it provides a score rating used by a lender to help determine whether an individual qualifies for a loan, credit card or service. In short, credit scores exist to aide a company or bank in estimating the amount of risk it incurs by lending money to a potential borrower. The higher the score,

Bank foreclosures are homes or properties that are owned by various banks, mortgage companies and other lenders. These lenders own the property as a result of foreclosure actions. When the previous owners of the home or property fell into default of their mortgage payments, the bank foreclosed on the home. These bank foreclosures are generally amon

Credit is a way of life in America. It allows consumers to make improvements on their home, purchase goods, and establish a credit history - a necessity for securing credit in the future. But for those who have chosen to "play now and pay later," a lapse in credit can have adverse effects, making it harder later to secure a mortgage, car loan or bu

Internet monitoring agencies such as The UK Office of Fair Trading has warned internet users to be careful of tricksters who are taking advantage of gullible people by swindling of billions of pounds annually. The conning operation, commonly known as phising is generally done in the following manner. The most infamous fraud through the internet

Annual percentage rate (APR) is the simplified counterpart to the effective interest rate the borrower will pay on a loan. In many countries and jurisdictions, lenders (such as banks) are required to disclose the "cost" of borrowing in some standardized way as a form of consumer protection. APR is intended to make it easier to compare lenders a

Starting one's own business can be the fulfillment of the American Dream. But it's also a risk that should be carefully calculated. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), more than 50 percent of new businesses fail in the first five years. The SBA cites reasons such as lack of experience, insufficient capital and poor credit arrangem