As reported in USA Today, this month used car payments hit a record $400 per month and used car vehicle values jumped over $20,000 for the first time. Higher demand for used vehicles, along with continued inflation in new car pricing and higher interest rates, have pushed payments to their highest level on record in the used car market. Both factors combined have also increased pressure on loan terms, as they now average 66.9 months according to Edmunds, also the highest ever.
Regulation Z or the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) provides a specific carve-out exemption and special treatment for the Blanket Single Interest (or VSI as its commonly called) product for various reasons. Predominantly we believe the regulators knew that a great majority of US banks already use the coverage and it is a growing product in credit unions and other lending sectors, which has provided a great option to protect the loan portfolios of lenders efficiently while keeping the cost to customers to a minimum.
With the rise of the internet and the wave of online banking that followed, cybersecurity is becoming a hot-button topic. Because most information and financial assets are accessible from online avenues now—or in the case of cryptocurrencies, are entirely digital in nature—practicing good cyber hygiene is essential in keeping information from online hackers, thieves, and scammers.
Yes: October was officially Cybersecurity Month, but this is a year round issue, so it's always a good time to remind employees and consumers to be careful with their data and systems. Let’s dive in to learn more about cybersecurity, understand some of the statistics and terms associated with it, and how much it can cost an agency or institution, should they fall prey.
Are FICO scores overrated when assessing one’s creditworthiness? Probably not, but what about the 67 million people who don’t qualify for mortgage loans or even credit cards because of a lack of traditional credit?
While using alternative credit scoring is not a substitute for bad credit, it can be a vehicle to offer more affordable loans than sub-prime or Alt A programs offer.
Home equity in the United States has reached an all-time high. According to NRMLA, housing wealth grew to $6.2 trillion in 2017. However, some homeowners are more reluctant than ever to tap into their wealth as the costs of financing a HELOC have risen to 5.83% in 2018. Plus, refinancing can be harder than ever before and homeowners are wary of housing troubles caused by the crisis in the early 2000s. But, a recent study on HELOC’s by Transunion predicts that, “The number of consumers opening HELOCs may double during the next five years.” So, even though rates are up and homeowners may be wary, lenders can use home equity loans to deepen customer relationships. Here's how.
NFIP (FEMA) Flood Insurance Vs. Private Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is required for many properties but choosing a policy can prove difficult. From the broadest perspective, there are two primary choices for flood insurance coverage: FEMA flood insurance or a privately funded policy.
Demand Is Outpacing NFIP’s Coverage
According to a study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nature Conservancy, and the University of Bristol published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, nearly 41 million Americans already live in 100-year floodplains.
