Credit Information

Understanding the Function of Credit





What is Credit?

Credit is the backbone and the engine behind the workings of the economy. Credit simply allows individuals and companies to borrow funds in good faith and pay it back over a specified time frame. Lenders base their decisions on who they should lend to by using your credit rating.

Your credit rating is a numerical score that is based on your payment history. From your credit cards and loans right down to your phone bill, you will find a recording of each payment. It reports whether you pay your bills on time or if you are constantly late. And if you are frequently late, it records the amount of time taken to make that particular payment. Your credit report is pulled (viewed) every time you apply for a loan, credit card and even to have a phone line installed.

Good Credit vs. Bad Credit

How important is it to have clean or good credit? It's very important because the worse off your credit is the harder it will be for you to secure a loan of any sort. It is important to keep on top of your credit finances and make sure that every payment is made on time and always make sure that you pay at least the minimum amount but always try and pay more if you can.

If you currently have bad credit, you shouldn't worry too much as there are ways to still secure a loan such as having a cosigner. If you choose to go this route, remember that you are both responsible for the loan as it will be taken out in your names. Also, there are many institutions that work with people with bad credit and they will assist you with the repair of your credit file. Here's a list of a few companies to assist you:

CreditAxis.com, DebtAdvocates.cc, Lexington Law Firm and more. Simply go to your favourite search engine and type in "Credit Repair" and see how many companies show up in your search.Warning: Be wary of those companies that promise to repair your credit promptly - ie "3 months or less". Credit repair takes time, so do your homework before you commit to one company to assist you.

Your Credit File

If you have bad credit, the first step to repairing it is to pay off all of your bad debts. This is debt that is overdue and not up to date. You may not know this, but this information may stay on your file for up to 7 years. To assist you in this, I suggest that you get a copy of your credit report from one of the credit reporting agencies such as Equifax. Look it over thoroughly because you may find some mistakes which can be easily corrected with either a simple phone call or with supporting documentation.

Sheldon C. Smith is the owner of http://www.sheldoncsmith.com, a site dedicated to keeping the public informed and educated about the mortgage and credit process.


MORE RESOURCES:

TheStreet.com

S&P upgrades Invesco credit ratings
BusinessWeek
Standard & Poor's raised investment-grade credit ratings for Invesco Holding Co. Ltd. on Wednesday, citing the investment manager's recent performance ...
S&P says may cut AT&T's credit rating by one notchReuters
AT&T Placed on Credit Watch NegativeTheStreet.com
AT&T: Focus On Buybacks Could Spur S&P Credit Rating CutBarron's (blog)
Dallas Business Journal -Phone Plus (blog) -ClaimsJournal.com
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Credit Unions Can Do More Small Business Lending, Cheney Says
BusinessWeek
July 29 (Bloomberg) -- Congress should raise the lending limits for credit unions because it would help small businesses and create jobs ...

and more »


The Business Insider

Real Estate Bonds Entice Goldman as Ford Sells: Credit Markets
BusinessWeek
Elsewhere in credit markets, the extra yield investors demand to own corporate bonds instead of government debt fell 1 basis point to 177 basis points, ...
Goldman and Citigroup to Sell $788.5 Million CMBSABC News

all 32 news articles »


Fitch: Credit-Card Charge-Offs Fall For 1st Time In 3 1/2 Years
NASDAQ
Charge-offs among prime-rated US credit-card borrowers fell from a year earlier in June for the first time in 3 1/2 years, according to a reading by Fitch ...
Fitch: No Relapse for US Credit Card ABS; Defaults ReboundPR-inside.com (press release)
SEC Helps Steer Ford Back to MarketWall Street Journal
Fitch Publishes Credit Card Movers & Shakers with May 2010 PerformanceBusiness Wire (press release)
Structured Credit Investor (subscription) -Another Financial Portal
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Reuters

Swiss Stocks Rise; Credit Suisse, UBS Jump on Banking Upgrade, ABB Climbs
Bloomberg
The pesticide maker's drop offset Credit Suisse Group AG's 1.1 percent advance after Deutsche Bank AG raised its recommendation for the European banking ...
Gruebel Tops Goldman Sachs With `Don't Lose Any Money' Risk-Mantra at UBSBloomberg
UBS May Lift Fixed-Income TargetsWall Street Journal (blog)
UBS posts second-quarter profit of $1.9 billionThe Associated Press
Forbes -Reuters -Toronto Star
all 588 news articles »


Which Casinos Still Face Credit Woes?
TheStreet.com
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Credit woes still loom for casino companies, according to Moody's Investor Services. ...

and more »


Cabela's Inc. Announces Plans for Store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
MarketWatch (press release)
Cabela's also issues the Cabela's CLUB(R) Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela's stock trades on the New ...
Cabela's 2Q profit nearly doubles to $18 millionThe Associated Press
Big box outfitting store to open in EdmontonEdmonton Journal

all 102 news articles »


The Economist (blog)

Do Credit Cards Siphon Money From the Poor to Rich?
The AtlanticWire (blog)
The credit cards, which has unwittingly created "reverse Robin Hoods" has had the effect of "simply rais[ing] prices for those who pay cash. ...
Transfers lower credit card interest rateBankrate.com
Bank reforms to pinch consumer creditWashington Times
Best low zero percent interest rate balance transfer credit cards – No APR 0 ...Healthy Financial Habits
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) -PR Newswire (press release) -KY3
all 88 news articles »


Asia's Bond Issuers Target Record Year
Wall Street Journal
As a reflection of the Asian credit mood, the JP Morgan Asia Credit Index, which include investment and junk-rated companies and governments, ...
Company Bond Returns Trailing Stocks by Most Since February: Canada CreditBloomberg
MultiPlan Offers Debt in Busiest July Since at Least '98: New Issue AlertBloomberg
ANALYSIS-Banks rethink may prompt investor return from junkForexyard

all 10 news articles »

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