What steps would you recommend to prepare for financing expensive education costs? [more inside]
posted by Asherah on Feb 14, 2008 - 4 answers

I am just starting the process of applying for a home loan. I've attended a first-time home buyer seminar in my city, read tons of books and have done my homework regarding mortgage options, home buying process, etc. I have an excellent credit score, and one debt (car payment), and make a decent salary. I've been advised to deal with a direct lender as I could get better rates, and fewer fees with them than through a mortgage broker. My problem is, I get virtually no response from the lenders. They take my information to start the pre-qual/pre-approval process, then nothing. They don't call back, and don't return my calls. This has happened 4 times in the last month. Has anyone else experience this? I live in Southern California (LA/Southbay area); do lenders here not need the business? I have never seen this issue addressed in home buying books or websites. Any insight, advice or recommenations?
posted by socrateaser on Jun 19, 2006 - 10 answers

I am applying for an alternative student loan. I am confused about the difference between Prime and LIBOR, and I am confused about how to actually decide which lender to go with. [more inside]
posted by jennyjenny on Oct 8, 2005 - 2 answers

My retirement fund is with an online brokerage firm. The firm recently got bought by a national megabank. The bank's web-site, however, says that it only works with MSIE. I dumped IE in favor of FireFox a long time ago and hate to go back to it -- especially when it comes to sensitive financial information. I'd love to switch to another online brokerage, but the bank charges a penalty for transferring accounts.

Any ideas on how to move my account without incurring penalties? As far as I'm concerned, by not supporting alternative browsers (given the US-CERT warnings against IE) they're failing to provide service and that should be grounds enough for me to leave them behind without penalty. It galls me that I have to pay them a fee so I can get away from their crappy service. Is there any sort of FTC or banking rule I can rely on to make a stronger case?
posted by fubar on Jan 24, 2005 - 8 answers

Wow. All of the sudden my small town has been innundated with "cash advance","check into cash" type businesses. There are, at last count 9 new openings here. What is this all about? What are the terms of these places for borrowing money? Any other towns seeing such a boom?
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Sep 1, 2004 - 23 answers