If you're like most Americans the economy has taken a toll on your credit. Late payments on mortgages, car loans, and even credit cards have damaged.

A few years ago the credit card merry-go-round really hit its peak. So-called ‘rate tarts' could switch their debts from one 0 per cent balance transfer deal to another, never incurring any inte

After a rather unsavoury incident at his local bank, Stephen Jones vents his spleen on promises of 'pre-approved' and 'guaranteed' loans... Forgive me, I usually try to make these blogs fairly object

Both public and private banks told Financial Chronicle that taking decisions on retail loan applications was becoming problematic as credit card defaults had increased and loan applicants’ record showed up on their computers. But the disputed accounts were not mentioned in the history.

Credit card customers have been given a boost after new rules to protect them from unfair treatment were launched today (15 March). The best news among the measures is a change in what banks call the

You owe $8,000 on a credit card at 18% interest. If you make the minimum payment of about $200 a month it will take you over 26 years to pay it off and you will pay over $11,000 just in interest. Ouch

Consumers who buy goods with a debit card could enjoy the same protection as those who use a credit card, if new plans to shake up the industry get the go-ahead. In the current uncertain climate, man

Got the blues about your plastic? Don't panic It's not unusual to worry about money early in the year. The festive period puts a dent in many people's pockets and dealing with the fallout can often m

There are 11 million more credit cards in the UK than there are people* and when used in the right way our flexible friends can be brilliant financial tools. But fall into the traps set by providers

QUESTION: If I pay off the balance on my credit card every month, which cards offer benefits and what are they? ANSWER: During the 90s, people using credit was often seen as a sign of economic stress

The Bank of England Base Rate may have remained frozen at an all-time low of 0.5 per cent since March, but loan rates have continued to head upwards - making the gap between the base rate and the aver

The Yorkshire building society announced on 2 December that it is merging with the Chelsea building society, in what some believe is a bail out. The Gloucester-based Chelsea has made massive losses in

Government gets tough on credit card providers Do you already have a credit card or perhaps even more than one? Well if so, new rules are being drawn up by the government that may affect you. In a s

Paying out a monthly fee for a packaged current account offering a host of incentives may seem to make financial sense. But while these so-called "premier" accounts might appear attractive at first s

Most people know by now that the current recession has made banks and lenders of credit generally more risk averse. The 100 per cent mortgage which two years ago was taken for granted is now almost a

A credit card can take you nearly you anywhere; the only thing that may be holding you back is the credit limit. Maybe you are considering a large purchase that your credit limit won't cover. Maybe yo

For many people with debt, refinancing is the best way to lower monthly payments and save a great deal of money over the life of the loan. Loan refinancing offers consumers the chance to find more fav

Switching your debts between credit cards used to be a simple affair, but the days of transferring your balance from one 0% deal to another could be coming to an end. Bad debts are causing major pro

If you've recently applied for a credit card, you may have found it far more difficult to get accepted than before. This is because card providers are now stricter about who they lend to and are opera

Derogatory information is information in your credit history that lenders may legally use to turn down a loan request or application for credit. Derogatory information includes such things as bankrupt