Rating agencies have just downgraded the economic outlook for seven European countries. Does that really matter, or is it …
Credit Rating
How Medical Debt Sickens Your Credit Score
More Americans are struggling to pay their medical bills, a hardship that could have a detrimental effect on their credit scores. According to the 2010 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, a sobering 29 percent — …
Get Ready: Your Credit Card Rates Are Going Up
The full impact of ratings agency Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt remains unclear. But one outcome credit analysts say is almost certain is higher consumer interest rates.
Downgrade Fever: How Wall Street Is Reacting, and Why
Average investors probably don’t like to hear it, but when it comes to reacting to major economic news like Standard & Poor’s U.S. debt downgrade on Aug. 5 — or even its downgrade of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Monday — …
Why is Obama Opposed to a Short-Term Debt Deal? Politics
As the tortuous debt ceiling debate continues, with plot twists that even the most diehard political junkies are having a hard time keeping straight, one aspect continues to bedevil the process: the staunch refusal of both …
Your Credit Report: 6 Ways To Raise (or Lower) Your Score
You probably know that having a good credit score is important for your financial stability. What you may not realize is just how good a score you need these days to be considered top-notch by lenders. Banks are aggressively …
