According to the Washington Post, mortgage rates were above 3 percent but only for a week before they slid back below that level. Questions: What is the 30-year fixed average percentage on a 30-year mortgage? What are points on a mortgage? What is Freddie Mac? How many lenders across the country are aggregated to come… Read more »
Posts Tagged: loans
Debt Disclosure Problems
According to the New York Times, Greensill Capital promised a win-win for buyers and sellers, until it all fell apart, igniting concerns about opaque accounting practices. Questions: How much was Greensill valued at less than 2 years ago? Explain how Greensill’s problems extend to the U.S. Explain Mr. Greensill’s position in the firm as the… Read more »
Help is on the way for Student Loans!
According to Benefits Pro, the American Rescue Plan just passed in Congress includes benefits for student loan borrowers and non-borrowers. Questions How do taxes impact student loan forgiveness? When colleges receive their allocations of the financial aid relief package, how should it be used? If you are a small business owner with a defaulted student… Read more »
Debt backed by Frequent Flyer Programs
According to CNBC, American Airlines is planning to issue $5 billion in bonds and seek a $2.5 billion loan backed by its frequent flyer program to pay back some of its debt used to help survive during the COVID crisis. Questions: How do airlines make money from their frequent flyer programs? What is the loan… Read more »
Creating the Fifth Largest Retail Bank in the Nation
According to the New York Times, PNC Financial Services said that it plans to acquire the U.S. business of the Spanish lender BBVA for $11.6 billion. Questions: Where is BBVA USA Bancshares headquartered? How many customers does PNC serve? What did PNC sell earlier this year to provide cash for other acquisitions? Source: Hirsch, L…. Read more »
What’s Redlining?
According to the Washington Post, there is a legacy of systemic racism that our government created and in many ways still isn’t doing enough to eradicate. Questions Based on the article, how would you briefly explain redlining? By what percentage are equivalent Black homes in neighborhoods similar to white neighborhoods undervalued? What is the key… Read more »
IRS makes it easier to tap your retirement account
With no agreement on a second round of stimulus payments, the IRS made it easier for people to pull money from their retirement plans without a costly penalty. Questions: Who makes up the category of individuals who can tap their retirement plan without penalty, according to the IRS’s new guidance? If an employer allows an… Read more »
COVID-19 Leads to Borrowing Binge
According to the New York Times, during the pandemic,along with the sharpest economic downturn in history, the solution by most companies has been to take on more debt. Questions: Why does this borrowing binge turn conventional wisdom on its head? Does the article make it sound like there will be many defaults to the Fed… Read more »
Under Trump Administration, CFPB scraps requirements to ensure that borrowers can cover basic expenses before loans
According to the Guardian, the Trump administration plans to abolish key parts of an Obama-era rule that was aimed at protecting vulnerable borrowers from amassing untenable debts from payday loans. Questions: 1. How high can the interest rate be from some payday lenders? 2. What is the Trump administration argument for scrapping the basic expense… Read more »
Unbelievable Differences in Incentives!
According to the Washington Post, the bundle of financial incentives Wisconsin offered to lure Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn’s first major U.S. plant is larger than what New York, Virginia and Tennessee collectively pledged to Amazon.com, a comparison of the two development projects shows. Questions: 1. Foxconn has said its $10-billion factory in southeastern Wisconsin will… Read more »