Global Patch Trading

Archive for September, 2011

Although using a bank is the most common method of storing and accessing your money, there are some alternatives you should consider. If you feel that your bank isn’t giving you what you want, then perhaps it is time for a change. Here are some banking alternatives that might be able to offer you the features and services that you require.

Why use a bank?

Of course, the main reason to use a bank is the fact that banks are widely available, and they are the first option that comes to mind when dealing with finances. In fact, some people aren’t even aware that there are alternatives to banking apart from keeping your money at home. Although banking has its uses, it can cost you money for day-to-day financial matters that you can get for less. Bank fees can be extremely expensive, but there are some alternatives.

Credit unions

Credit unions are one alternative to using conventional banks. Unlike banks, credit unions are not for profit organisations that are run by their members. Credit unions are used by people who share a workplace or occupation, or even a religion. They offer many of the same services as banks, but because profit is not their main function they can offer lower fees and higher interest rates on savings than normal banks. Credit unions can be fairly large and organisations, and some offer similar levels of convenience to a regular bank. If you are looking for cheaper fees and better interest rates on savings then a credit union might be right for you. However, credit unions are still small compared to banks, and you cannot simply join the credit union of your choice. You have to meet their specific requirements or be related to someone who is already a member in order to join. Also, you generally have to save money with a credit union before you can have access to other financial products.

Online banking

Perhaps the best alternative to traditional banking is online banking. There are many banks that operate solely online, and there are a lot of benefits to this sort of bank. Although you might not be able to get money as easily as you could with a normal bank, you can transfer funds and pay bills much more efficiently. Also, online banks usually operate all day every day, meaning that you can access your account and carry out transactions whenever you want. For paying bills and transferring money, you can’t really beat online banking

Combining accounts

Although there are viable alternatives to traditional banking, perhaps the best way to save yourself time and money is to have a combination of accounts. If you are eligible for a credit union, then saving with them is probably the best option as you can get great rates and you might be able to borrow money at a much more reasonable rate if you need to do so in the future. You could combine this with an online account to pay your bills, as this allows you to pay bills quickly and manage your money more effectively so that you always pay on time. Thirdly, having a traditional bank account is usually a good idea, because if any problems arise you can go to your bank and speak to someone face to face. If you look around at all the alternatives to regular banking then you could save yourself money and make banking work more effectively for you.

If it’s been a while since you’ve looked at your credit report, you may be surprised to find errors, mistakes, or even a black mark or two. Fortunately, a Credit Repair Company can help you fix those mistakes and erase those black marks. Watch out for scammers, though, and choose a reputable Credit Repair Company with these tips:

Don’t pay anything up-front

Avoid a Credit Repair Company that wants you to hand over a fee or payment before they meet with you. Reputable companies will first talk to you, assess your credit report and discuss your current situation before asking for any type of payment for their services. An up-front fee is a red flag that the company will probably take your money and run. And no matter what type of charges you may incur, be sure they aren’t exorbitant. If a Credit Repair Company claims your case will cost thousands of dollars, look for another one.

Watch out for “re-inventors”

Some companies will tell you that you can wipe your credit slate clean by “re-inventing” yourself with a new social security number. But that’s not true! In most cases, what they plan to do is get you a new credit report by applying for an Employee Identification Number (EIN)–used by businesses–which resembles a social security number, and you’re told to use it as such. But this practice, known as “file segregation,” is a scam, and it’s also illegal! Avoid any Credit Repair Company that suggests this practice.

Look for one that helps you help yourself

A good Credit Repair Company will tell you (for free!) what you can do yourself, such as writing letters to creditors and contacting the credit reporting bureaus about errors. Avoid any Credit Repair Company that encourages you to do anything illegal or unethical–such as disputing a legitimate charge or fee on your credit report.

Before signing up with any Credit Repair Company, make sure you check with the Better Business Bureau. They’ll have records of any formal complaints against the company, so you can avoid scammers and rip-off artists.

Individuals in debt who wish to make use of the services of a debt management firm should do research before committing themselves. An unscrupulous debt management firm can harm a debtor’s interests in many ways, so make sure to keep the following 4 things in mind before hiring a debt management firm:

1. Avoid any agency that calls you by phone or sends you spam: Most debt management firms advertise in the yellow pages or on the Web, but do not over-aggressively solicit clients. Therefore, there is a good chance any company which does so is not on the level. Debt management companies that follow a cold calling policy or send unsolicited emails will usually not be able to provide any solid references. Most of these companies do not even keep a reserve fund, which serves as a guarantee for the debtor that his creditors will be paid.

2. Non-profit agencies do not necessarily offer better service: First, not all non-profit debt management firms offer their services free; some firms charge up to 15% of the debt amount. Being a non-profit organization does not make a debt management firm a better and more efficient service provider than those that charge for the services. In fact, companies charging for their service are under an obligation to free their clients of debt as efficiently as possible because they are making a profit from their work and their profitability is directly linked to their credibility and reputation in the market.

3. Never part with credit card information on the phone: A reputed and honest debt management firm will never ask you to provide your credit card number or bank information on the phone. This is because they understand that callers can be impersonated; moreover, the increase in online frauds is reason enough for individuals in debt to be extra cautious when checking out debt management firms. Debt management companies that are acting in good faith will never ask a prospect or an existing client to part with sensitive information of any kind over the phone.

4. Don’t believe anyone who offers a deal that’s too good to be true – it probably is: Often debtors come across debt management deals that promise to reduce their debt by half in short time. This rarely happens; however, the debtor does end up paying high fees and a substantial upfront amount to the debt management company. Such companies also discourage debtors from communicating with their lenders; this is never a good idea and invariably leads to a negative impact on the debtor’s credit rating. If a debt reduction company promises to offer more than some interest reduction and counseling on getting out of debt and staying debt free, the claim should ideally not be taken at face value.