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:

US consumer credit posts worst drop ever
National Post, Canada - 3 hours ago
US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ...
US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Xinhua
Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years Wall Street Journal Blogs
US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) Bloomberg
Reuters - Atlanta Journal Constitution
all 220 news articles


Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit
Bizjournals.com, NC - 8 hours ago
The Federal Reserve said it would create a new fund to buy commercial paper, or unsecured corporate loans, in a move to thaw a credit freeze that is now ...
Video: Bernanke signals possible rate cut ReutersVideo
Bernanke: US may be facing prolonged period of economic pain eTaiwan News
Bernanke Signals Fed May Cut Rates as Crisis Deepens (Update1) Bloomberg
Forbes - Reuters
all 1,287 news articles


CEP News

Credit markets ease on Fed move
CNN - 10 hours ago
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Credit markets eased ever so slightly Tuesday after the Federal Reserve announced plans to help unclog the pipeline by buying up ...
Credit gears of commerce are still jammed Houston Chronicle
Credit markets still tight as stocks plunge The Associated Press
Overnight CP Yields Fall, Seven-Day Rates Jump as Fed Steps in Bloomberg
CNNMoney.com - Bloomberg
all 421 news articles


Reuters

With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
Tighter credit was a crucial factor in the stunning 26.6-percent drop in September vehicle sales in the United States. In September, sales fell below 1 ...
Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link Reuters
700 US dealerships could close this year, says head of dealer group Detroit Free Press
Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel Crain's Detroit Business
BusinessWeek - Michigan Business Review - MLive.com
all 83 news articles


Reuters

Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation
Reuters - 10 hours ago
N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ...
Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse The Associated Press
New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Canadian Underwriter
Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal Wall Street Journal
CNNMoney.com - Forbes
all 282 news articles


China Daily

Bailout should not include price controls on low-limit credit cards
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Oct 6, 2008
But now our government is about to make matters even worse by barring Main Street from accessing even a meager amount of credit. In addition to the taxpayer ...
Video: Dow Dips More Than 500 on Worries About Financia AssociatedPress
Business Highlights Forbes
A 5-year low CNN
The Associated Press - Wall Street Journal Blogs
all 2,031 news articles


CME, Citadel working together on credit default swaps
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 8 hours ago
CME Group Inc. and hedge fund Citadel Investment Group LLC plan a venture to compete with Chicago-based Clearing Corp. to guarantee credit default swaps in ...
CME Group and Citadel to Launch the First Integrated Credit ... MarketWatch
CME, Citadel Plan CDS Exchange Forbes
CME and Citadel will create a market for credit default swaps Medill Reports
Chicago Tribune - Bloomberg
all 38 news articles


RTE.ie

Oil Trades Below $90 on Demand Slump, Worsening Credit Crisis
Bloomberg - 45 minutes ago
Global stock markets have plunged as banks freeze credit lines to investors and companies. ``Demand destruction is prevalent in developed countries with ...
Canada energy stocks slump on credit woes, outlook Canada Digital
Crude Oil Falls as Worsening Credit Crisis May Curb Fuel Demand Bloomberg
all 1,494 news articles


Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ...
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ...


Voice of America

Small US Businesses Feel Pinch of Tightened Credit
Voice of America - 5 hours ago
By Mike O'Sullivan As the US Federal Reserve System announced measures to ease the credit crisis Tuesday, small business owners around the United States say ...

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