Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.
As Hurricane Irene slams into the East Coast and leaves damage and destruction in its wake, the government warns consumers to be alert for potential scams. Crooks often take advantage of natural disasters to prey… FTC: Avoid Home Repair Rip-Offs
Some small business owners in the second quarter of 2011 are feeling better about the economy and expect a gradual but continued improvement, according to a survey released by Capital One Bank on Thursday. “Our… Capital One: Small Business Gain Modest Confidence
The housing market is showing no signs of improvement as high unemployment and tough lending standards prevent many from buying a home. Mortgage applications fell 2.4% last week, according to a report released by the… Home Prices Fall in Over Half of States for 2nd Quarter
Though getting a summer job has been a student tradition for generations, the tough jobs market has particularly affected young people looking for employment. Youth job participation in July – normally the peak employment month… BLS: Summer Jobs for Students
An operation that allegedly claimed it could help struggling borrowers eliminate debt and clean up their credit histories has been halted by the Federal Trade Commission, the agency reported on Tuesday. The FTC has been… FTC: "Debt Relief" Agency Halted, Files Bankruptcy
Before swiping their card at any credit or debit card terminal, such as an ATM, DVD rental kiosk, or gas station, consumers should take a moment to inspect the machine to check if it’s been… BBB: Skimming is on the Rise
New home permits and starts dipped slightly in July after showing some signs of strength the month before, according to a government report released on Tuesday. Permits for new homes – an indicator for future… Housing Starts and Building Permits Dip in July
As the new school year kicks off, most parents consider their student’s basic needs such as book bags, clothes, and writing supplies to be just another of the many expenses in raising kids. But teenagers… Capital One: Back-to-School an Opportunity to Teach Kids About Money
Capital One Bank announced on Wednesday that it has plans to acquire HSBC’s $30 billion domestic credit card business. The McLean, VA-based bank will pay a premium of 8.75% over the value of the loans,… Capital One to Acquire HSBC
Credit reporting agency Standard & Poor’s announced on Friday that because Congress didn’t do enough to fix the country’s debt problem, they dropped the stellar AAA credit rating of the U.S. down by one notch… Treasury: Credit Downgrade Based on S&P’s $2 Trillion Mistake