Personal Finance & Credit

Busting up the big banks is the solution to 'Too Big To Fail'

The big banks that played such a key role in the Great Recession are a hazard to the health of our country and need to busted up into smaller, regional entities. We in the country are in the midst of a multiyear recovery from a 'Made in America' financial mess ...

• 1:49 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012

Is the Facebook IPO more hazard or opportunity?

Facebook's initial public offering (IPO) is the hottest one of recent years. But is this an opportunity or is this trouble for you? I Googled 'Facebook' a little while ago and found more than 46,000 news stories on the IPO. The price has been pushed up and the number of ...

• 1:24 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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Chase now facing criminal probe

As anger mounts against JPMorgan Chase, now comes word that there's a criminal investigation into $2 billion of speculative gambling losses because company traders tried to hedge their bets against the marketplace. At a recent Chase shareholder meeting, people were practically throwing pies at pictures of chief executive Jamie Dimon. ...

• 1:23 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Bonds may seem safe, but are they really?

Are you among those investors who ran to bond funds for safe harbor when the stock market went topsy-turvy? Those who did so generally saw nice rewards from making the move. But there is a hidden danger that I want to make you aware of. When interest rates rise, the ...

• 1:33 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012

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Are bond funds a safe investment?

A lot of investors consider bond funds a safe harbor in their retirement portfolio, not subject to the volatility of the stock market. But Clark has some words of warning about this hot investment option.

• 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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Online savings accounts that pay better interest

Earning money on your savings might be getting a little easier soon. The Federal Reserve is trying to re-inflate the economy by keeping interest rates low for borrowers, but as a result, savers are getting punished.  This is holding back a lot of money that would normally flow into private ...

• 4:25 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012
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Small employers to get 401(k) fee disclosures

What you don't know about your retirement plan can hurt you. If you work for a smaller company and have a 401(k), the fees associated with that plan can be very, very high. Right now, those fees are kept secret from you as an employee, and your employer may not ...

• 1:23 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012
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Credit scores both improving and worsening at the same time

How are you doing with your credit score? If you're like the typical American, things are getting better, but there are still some danger spots on the horizon. The latest FICO numbers show a significant increase in consumer credit scores. Almost one in five people are now considered 'golden,' which ...

• 1:20 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012

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Landing an FHA loan might become easier

Ever been denied an FHA loan due to a small-potatoes collection notice on your credit report? That's about to become a thing of the past. Clark explains.

• 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Car, credit industries booming with offers to sub-prime customers

After months of yellow light lending, consumers are again getting the green light for a flood of car loans and credit cards even if they have damaged or dinged credit. The big sales numbers the auto industry is enjoying right now are partly because of the new lower lending standards. ...

• 12:47 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012