Fast Credit Card Application

Many business owners don’t fully understand how business credit scoring works. Although the calculations involve complex financial formulas, there are simple principles describing the process. The information contained herein outlines these principles and demystifies the business credit score.

The business credit score was introduced in 1956 by a company named Fair, Isaac and Company, now known as Fair Isaac Corporation or FICO. It was sold as a formula that accurately predicted the likelihood of a business paying its future debts based on its past actions, a new business concept that paralleled a similar development in the consumer market. By considering a variety of factors, FICO created a new scale for measuring business credit, since adopted by a number of competitors as the market advanced and expanded.

Business Credit Scale

Business credit scores are different from individual ones because the scale only goes up to 100, rather than 850. A

Read more…

Tags: Business Credit, Credit

Ever have a pang of regret when you notice that shiny new toy you just bought dropped in price right after you purchased it? Back in the days when Amex’s Best Value Guarantee program still lived, that wasn’t such a worry. All you needed to do was call them up, provide evidence of the price drop and get refunded the difference.

The good news is that such programs still do exist. Many credit cards will reimburse you the difference if you find the same item at a lower price, either at the same retailer or elsewhere. For instance, under Citi’s current price protection program, if you find a printed advertisement within 60 days of your purchase for the exact same item, they will refund you the price difference, up to $250 per item (and up to a maximum of $1,000 per cardmember per year) if you placed the entire purchase on your Citi credit card. The major problem is that, unlike the original BVG, internet purchases or advertisements have been excluded from such price matching, significantly diminishing their usefulness.

Enter Citi Price Rewind. Whil

Read more…

Tags: Price, Price Rewind

This post comes from Michael, chief editor of DoughRoller.net, which helps consumers find the best online discount brokers.

If you find yourself moving from one country to another, there are a lot of things you’ll need to take care of. After securing the house, the job and making sure your family is ready to start a new life, it’s time to tackle your credit.

Your credit generally won’t follow you from your home country. Whether that’s good news or bad depends on what sort of credit you’re leaving behind. If you’re leaving a sterling record behind, chances are you’ll be disappointed to start fresh in the US. But, if you’re leaving behind a record of late payments and outstanding balances, a fresh start may be just what you’re looking for.

How to Build Credit With a Credit Card

Establishing good credit as a newly American resident is pretty much the same process used by American citizens upon turning 18. You’ll want to employ some good, common sense and the best personal finance practices.

First, you’ll need to establish lines of credit. This can be anything from car and home loans to consumer lines of credit.

Read more…

Some people find it humorous that anyone would even consider giving their child a credit cad, and this is certainly a valid response considering the surge of debt among young adults due to irresponsible spending. However, with the right kind of card and the right restrictions in place, credit cards for minors can present a number of advantages for both the parents and the child. Before proceeding it is important to understand that a credit card cannot actually be issued to a minor, so the following information pertains to authorized user accounts for minors that are attached to an adult’s account with the parent or guardian’s consent.

Allowances and Activities

Children frequently need money for recreational activities such as field trips and vacations. Giving a minor cash is not safe, not only because it could be lost or stolen, but also because it could be spent frivolously, and there is no way the parent can account for the expenditure once the money is gone. Furthermore, funds kept in a debit or credit account are insured along with the card, so even if the card is lost or stolen, the funds are safe. As

Read more…

Tags: Credit, Credit Card

You have a stack of bills in front of you and you may not be able to pay them all. Which debts are the most important?

Many people make the mistake of paying their credit cards before their other debts. I argue that credit cards fall very low on the list of debt priorities, especially if you have a mortgage and auto loan. Learn why your mortgage should top your list of debt obligations: How to Prioritize Your Debt Payments

Tags: Debt, Prioritizing Debt