Credit Research News - December, 2007

Fair Isaac's new score: Hospital bill-paying

Mortgage lenders aren't the only ones showing more interest in your credit score these days

Tax, spend? Sky shouldn’t be the limit

The year of the GREAT tax debate dawns. For me and for the rest of Georgia, it’s a hard sell.

Navigating the deluge of credit cards

Don't apply for multiple cards at one time. Creditors are wary of multiple applications, and several applications can decrease your credit score.

Brooke Credit Corporation Announces Selected Results for November 2007

Brooke Credit Corporation (OTCBB: BRCR; BRCRW; BRCRU) today announced selected results for the month of November 2007.

Aftersoft Group Completes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement

Aftersoft Group Inc. (OTCBB:ASFG), a leading supplier of software and services to the automotive aftermarket in the U.S., U.K. and Canada

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Announces Close On Acquisition of Haverstick Consulting, Inc.

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading national defense and security solutions provider

Investors' Worry Beads May Get a Workout

It's said that the stock market climbs a wall of worry. This year mutual-fund investors smacked into that wall, and they still have good reason to worry.

Shock to the system

A year of unpleasant economic surprises has caused many to question some long-standing assumptions about the way the financial system works.

N YOUR CORNER Column: Some help for a Happy New Year

For the last 21 months, I've been "in your corner," advocating on your behalf — getting about $50,000 in direct relief -- and educating others at the same time.

Be a good consumer

Dear Readers: The bows and wrapping paper are all crumpled in the trash, the eggnog isn't so fresh anymore, and the credit card bills ...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

v Rachel Friend is the new chief operating officer at Residential Opportunities Inc., a local nonprofit organization that provides residential and support services

Leap is off watch list after restating results

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services removed Leap Wireless from its CreditWatch list after the company on Thursday finished restating its financial results from 2004

S&P Takes Leap Off Watch Negative

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services maintained Leap Wireless International Inc.'s ratings Friday after the low-cost wireless carrier

Ways to Prevent Customer Service Hang-Ups

You may be able to get a dispute with a credit card issuer settled over the phone, but it takes a little know-how and a whole lot of patience.

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services Offers Money Management Tips to Reduce Debt After the Holida

Soon the holiday greeting cards will be replaced by holiday bills. Then what? Money management will be the key to gain control of finances for those who ran up holiday debt.

A late tax tweak will delay refunds for millions

Recent action to limit the effect of the AMT means some forms won't be ready to use until February.

Farm Credit Services returning to Coshocton

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America will open a new facility in Coshocton.

LifeLock launches new 'WalletLock' service

Identity-theft protection service LifeLock launched a new service that further protects customers' information after their wallet or purse has been stolen.

International oil services cos, drillers' outlook seen stable in 2008 - Moody's

The outlook for oilfield services and drillers is generally stable in 2008 as companies have posted record earnings and cash flows in the past three years

Land Prices Soar

Land prices seem to be following the motto "the sky's the limit."

Belden's 'BB+' rating unaffected by credit facility amendment - S&P

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services said its 'BB+' rating on Belden Inc, a maker of transmission products for data networking

Christmas credit card debt

"So easy. It really is. It's not the same as taking cash out of your wallet or writing a check for it and keeping track of the balance."

Late Library Books Can Take Toll on Credit Scores

Librarians in Queens do not like to talk about the scofflaws who rack up fines for late books.

News Flash: Library Fines Can Hurt Your Credit Rating

Slowpokes and procrastinators beware: Late fees from overdue library books in New York could be costing you points off your credit score.

As Credit Delinquency Rises, So Does Credit Relief Scrutiny

While government statistics show consumer spending is holding steady, some economists fret about the rising level of debt Americans

U.S. Sinks Deeper Into Credit Card Debt

Americans are increasingly unable to keep up with credit card bills. An Associated Press analysis of financial data from many major credit card companies

Securing your finances

As a new year approaches, it can pay to reflect on all the major lessons you learned in 2007 when it comes to dealing with your bank. That way, as Congress reviews ways to keep banks honest with you, you can reap greater benefits from your bank.

Credit quality for US merchant power firms, power developers improving - S&P

Credit quality for US energy merchants, power developers and trading and marketing firms has improved due to better business fundamentals

Ebix Acquires Sydney Based Premier Insurance Exchange Telstra eBusiness Services

Ebix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBIX), a leading international developer and supplier of software and e-commerce solutions to the insurance industry

Lenders try hand at payday loans

New services generally more affordable than checking-cashing stores.

Columbia Bancorp Appoints Long-Time Executive James McCall as Interim Chief Credit Officer

Roger Christensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Bancorp (Nasdaq: CBBO), financial holding company for Columbia River Bank,

Holiday Gifts for the Family, and Someday a Car for You

CARMAKERS are forever looking for ways to keep customers coming back. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising. They slash prices. They throw in all sorts of options.

State-issued credit cards' use runs gamut

Pornography, tattoos, concerts, dating services — you name it, state and local employees have charged it and taxpayers have paid for it.

Banks and offices closed, services halted for Christmas

Here's a list of holiday closures and schedule changes for the Christmas holiday:

Americans' debt woes expanding; unpaid credit card bills rising

Americans are falling behind on their credit card payments at an alarming rate, sending delinquencies and defaults surging by double-digit percentages

Visa Posts $861 Million Loss This Year on Legal Costs (Update1)

Visa Inc., the biggest credit-card company, had an $861 million loss this year on $2.65 billion in litigation costs, most from settling an antitrust suit brought by rival American Express Co.

Service Credit Union Launches New Website Designed by Port City Web

Port City Web, LLC (www.PortCityWeb.com), an award-winning, interactive marketing and web development firm specializing in branding

Credit Agricole, units' outlooks cut to stable on write-downs - S&P

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it cut the outlooks on France-based Credit Agricole SA and its corporate and investment banking subsidiary

CML HealthCare Income Fund to Purchase American Radiology Services, Inc.

CML HealthCare Income Fund (the "Fund" or "CML HealthCare") (TSX:CLC.UN), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire American Radiology Services

American Airlines Federal Credit Union Announces Record $10 Million Bonus Dividend to Its Member-Own

American Airlines Federal Credit Union (AA Credit Union) is proud to announce that a record bonus dividend will be paid to member-owners Dec. 31, 2007.

Ethanol leaders request Farm Credit expansion

Iowa’s renewable fuels industry leaders recently wrote letters to several U.S. senators, calling for them to support an amendment added to the Farm Bill by Sen.

Corrections Corporation of America Enters Into New Revolving Credit Facility

Corrections Corporation of America (NYSE: CXW) ("CCA"), the nation's largest provider of corrections management services to government agencies

Service Credit Union Launches New Multi-Language Website

Service Credit Union launched a new website today to its diverse global membership.

S&P Reiterates Lin TV's Credit Ratings

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Thursday affirmed the noninvestment-grade credit ratings on Lin TV Corp. and raised its outlook to stable from negative

Ratings Move Roils Bond Insurers

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Wednesday slashed the credit rating of troubled bond insurer ACA Financial Guaranty Corp.

Banco Santander Santiago Credit Ratings Modified by Standard & Poor's Rating Services

Banco Santander Chile announced today that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its ratings on Banco Santander Chile to 'A+', from 'A'

Republic Services "outperform," target price reduced

Analysts at Credit Suisse maintain their "outperform" rating on Republic Services Inc (RSG.NYS), while reducing their estimates for the company.

Fidelity National Information Services

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has announced that BB&T Bankcard Corporation's 1.1 million credit card accounts

Farm Credit office relocates

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (FCS), a $12 billion ag lending cooperative with 90-year roots financing rural America

S&P Raises MedCath Loan Rating

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Wednesday increased hospital operator MedCath Holdings Corp.'s credit facility rating as the company works to lower its debt.

Delek unit Mapco Express' CCR cut to 'B' on weaker credit metrics - S&P

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services said it lowered its ratings, including the corporate credit rating, on Mapco Express Inc

Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT Increases Line of Credit With LaSalle Bank to $80 Million

Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT, Inc. has negotiated an increase in its secured revolving line of credit with LaSalle Bank National Association.

West Florida, Atlanta housing hits Synovus profits

Synovus expects to post fourth quarter earnings below previously issued guidance as the housing sector continues to deteriorate, pressuring key credit indicators.

Credit Scoring Limitations: nTelagent’s New Predictive Modeling for Assessing Patients’ Ability

nTelagent, a company focused on helping healthcare service providers increase collections and better manage the accounts of self-pay and underinsured patients

Credit Worries Send Down

Holiday cheer was scarce once again as investors continued to fret about the economy and analysts downgraded several bellwether stocks.

Complain to casino about defective freebie

Early this month my wife went to a casino and built up enough points to qualify for a free walkie-talkie set. When we got them home, they didn't work.

The Credit Union Loan Source, LLC Selects Daybreak Lending Suite

i-flex solutions (Reuters: IFLX.BO & IFLX.NS), a leading provider of technology solutions to the global financial services industry, announced today that The Credit Union Loan Source, LLC has selected Daybreak(TM)

Globalstar, Inc. Announces $150 Million Financing

Revised Agreement Provides Increased Access to Funds and Amends Covenants From the Existing Credit Facility

Do a Background Check on Your Credit Card Company

Michael Filighera learned the hard way when he signed on for a credit card from Household Bank a year or two ago.

Credit Suisse and Andi Mann Set to Keynote InfoWorld’s Virtualization Executive Forum

InfoWorld's Virtualization Executive Forum will take place February 4, 2008 at the Hotel Nikko, San Francisco with a Focus on Mastering Virtualization from the Datacenter to the Desktop

Humana Affirms FY07 Earnings View - Update

Monday morning, healthcare insurance provider Humana Inc. (HUM) said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would reaffirm its previously announced fiscal 2007 earnings

Farm Credit Contributes To Program To Assist Farmers With Disabilities

Almost 30 years ago, a disabled farmer contacted Purdue University and requested assistance on modifying his tractor to enable him to continue farming.

Stop, ID thief! 5 tips to protect against fraud

Financial editor Jean Chatzky on keeping your information and money safe

Business people

CornerStone Bank recently opened a loan production office on South Second Street in Bismarck.

Slow Train to Better Service

TRANSIT officials are decentralizing the subway system to improve service, cleanliness and on-time performance by appointing individual managers for each of the 24 lines.

RMCN Credit Services, Inc. Supports Habitat for Humanity

RMCN Credit Services, Inc. supports volunteerism and believes it is important to strengthen their connection with the community.

Wall Street Earnings Coming This Week

This week's data on investment bank earnings, the housing downturn and inflation will help investors decide how the economy and corporate America

FTC under fire as credit bureaus sell consumers' data

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras says her agency has done a credible job regulating the Big Three credit bureaus.

State takes over Zion credit union

The Colorado Division of Financial Services has taken over the operations of Zion United Community Credit Union, a Denver-based credit union with 1,300 members

Student remembered for service, selflessness

Nielson Rudd, MU junior and Missouri National Guard officer candidate, lived to help others, and he died trying to do his duty, his father said.

Ascendia Says It Is Default Under Senior Credit Facility, In Talks With Lenders [ASB]

Ascendia Brands, Inc. (ASB) said Friday it has notified its senior lenders that it is in default of certain covenants contained in its first and second lien credit facilities

BUYINS.NET: RPRX, WATG, JYHW, LEVP, MCAM, MMIRF Have Also Been Added To Naked Short List Today

BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net, announced today that these select companies have been added to the NASDAQ, AMEX and NYSE

Harris Private Bank's Top Five Personal Finance Tips for 2007 Year End

As New Year's resolutions are right around the corner, experts from Harris Private Bank share their top tips for a strong financial finish to 2007 and the right moves to make in 2008.

A Mighty Gap In Her Charge Card Happily Closed

One minus one usually equals zero. But not for Anne Goodrich of Glastonbury.

YRC shares fall after credit rating is reduced; overall, stocks close mixed

Shares of YRC Worldwide Inc. fell almost 3 percent Thursday as Standard & Poor’s reduced its credit rating on the Overland Park trucking giant to junk status.

North American Energy Partners' Corporate Credit Rating Raised by Standard & Poor's

Rating Improves to 'B+' on Strong Market Position and Improved Credit Profile

S&P Backs AGL Ratings; Outlook 'Stable'

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Thursday backed its credit rating for AGL Resources Inc. and said the natural gas distribution company's credit outlook is stable.

Washington Mutual's 34 classes of credit card securities affirmed - Moody's

Moody's Investors Service said it has affirmed its ratings on Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM) Inc's (WaMu) 34 classes of securities

National business briefs: Big banks warn of writedowns

More troubling news erupted from the financial services sector Wednesday as Wachovia, PNC Financial Services and Bank of America warned of bigger-than-expected

Bibby Financial Services Secures Credit Facility with Bank of America Business Capital

International receivables finance provider Bibby Financial Services has entered into a $75 million senior secured credit facility with Bank of America Business Capital.

UPDATE: PNC Expects Lower 4Q EPS On Charges, Credit Crunch

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (PNC) said it expects fourth-quarter earnings to fall below analyst expectations, due to woes from the ongoing credit crunch

Fitch Rates Dormitory Auth of the State of New York $600MM PIT Bonds 'AA-'; Outlook Positive

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AA-' rating to $600 million Dormitory Authority of the State of New York state personal income tax (PIT)

Moody's buying Mergent pricing services

Credit ratings agency Moody's Corp. (NYSE:MCO) on Tuesday said it will acquire the assets of Mergent Pricing and Evaluation Services Inc.,

S&P approves of Con Ed capacity sale

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services said Tuesday it considers Consolidated Edison Inc.'s (NYSE:ED) sale of $1.48 billion worth of merchant-generation capacity

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: BMW Financial Services, Ford Credit, Honda Financial Services

BMW Financial Services, Ford Credit, Honda Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services each rank highest in satisfying customers

Newtek Business Services Signs 200th Credit Union Strategic Alliance Partner

Newtek Business Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEWT) (www.newtekbusinessservices.com), a provider of business services and financial products

Two Ag Co-ops to Merge

Two agriculture lending and financial services co-ops in the Red River Valley region are merging.

Best Buyer Beware: Read the Fine Print

And it's all happening—of course—just in time for Christmas.

Sub Prime Crisis Will Hurt Indiana Farmers

Just when more farmers are in need of operating credit to cover the increasing costs of planting a crop, the availability of such credit

WaMu cutting staff, services offered

Washington Mutual, battling to extricate itself from a worsening mortgage quagmire, said Monday that it will chop 3,150 jobs

Background Check Company Announces Expansions For Pre-Employment Screening Services

From small family owned businesses to fortune 500's, many employers are turning to background checks to obtain valuable information

Q3 2007 Hartford Financial Services Earnings Conference Call - Final

OPERATOR: Good morning. My name is Alice and I will be your conference operator today.

Celgene Says Two Studies Demonstrate Lenalidomide Activity In Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Celgene International Sárl (CELG) said that clinical data from two ongoing REVLIMID studies in Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma or NHL

Grubb & Ellis Company Enters Into $75 Million Credit Facility

Grubb & Ellis Company , a leading real estate services and investment management firm, today announced that it closed its $75 million senior secured

Glenn B. Marshall of First Resource Bank Elected to Board of Federal Home Loan Bank Pittsburgh

Glenn B. Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Resource Bank, Exton, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank)

Credit crisis a boon for CarBiz

As the cars whiz by on U.S. 41, Carl Ritter stands in the shade at the very first CarBiz Auto Credit Center

Manager picks: Jean-Francois Tardif

Mr. Tardif bought shares of Atrium Innovations less than six months ago and believes that current trends favour health care specialists

Compass Diversified Holdings Announces Credit Facility Expansion with Madison Capital

Compass Diversified Holdings and Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC (collectively, the "Company" or "CODI") announced today that CODI

Person-to-person lending is networking its way up

Congress' heavy scrutiny of the credit card industry last week is indicative of how heavily in debt many consumers are and how they're struggling to pay it off.

Bankrate, Inc. Broadens Its Credit Card and College Finance Channels With the Acquisitions of Nation

Company Announces Preliminary 2008 GuidanceConference Call Scheduled for December 10, 2007 at 11:00am ET

Fed Seems Poised to Lower Interest Rates

What a difference in economic conditions since the Federal Reserve last met in October.

GF- and Fargo-based Farm Credit Services plan merger Combined co-op to be based in Fargo

FARGO Two major ag lending and financial services co-ops in the Red River Valley region are merging, creating a single entity with headquarters in Fargo.

Detroit Area Banks and Credit Unions Join With Gleaners Community Food Bank to Fight Area Hunger

'Tis the season for normally competitive area banks and credit unions to join together and help Gleaners Community Food Bank overcome a shortfall in donations.

In the Lead

IT'S HARD TO LOVE FINANCIAL SUPERMARKETS these days, what with all the mayhem at Citigroup.

Standard & Poor's and RIMES Technologies Team to Provide Credit Ratings Data

Standard & Poor's, a leading provider of financial market intelligence, announced it will provide its premier credit ratings data to RIMES Technologies

Experian's Small Business Credit Share(SM) Enables More Control Over Small-Business Risk

Experian(R), a global information services company, today announced that its Small Business Credit Share (SM) offers members exclusive access to expanded information

TrustPlus-BidPay Deal Enables Credit Card Payments on Classifieds Sites

Sellers on classifieds sites who use TrustPlus will be able to accept credit card payments from buyers through the BidPay online payment service

AT&T Introduces U-verse in St. Louis

St. Louis Customers Have a New Choice in TelevisionHigh Definition Programming and Other Compelling Features Make AT&T U-verse TV 'Cooler Than Cable'

Banks aim to lure clients from check cashers, payday lenders

After years of watching check-cashing stores and payday lenders steal potential customers, banks and credit unions are beginning to offer the same services and products

Fair Isaac: Opportunity or risk?

"Growth is the word that's stamped on everybody's forehead around here."

Judge's goal: to close information gaps

Marion County juvenile court Judge Marilyn Moores, reacting to communication gaps revealed after the death of TaJanay Bailey, will convene a meeting Monday

Who's news: Credit union names vice president

Fox Communities Credit Union has promoted Dave Thone to vice president of internal operations.

Protecting your portfolio as markets sustain turbulence

Lately, the stock market has managed both to rouse fear and inspire hope.

eCollectionletters and VivánTech Offer Seamless Accounts Receivable Integration

eCollectionletters.com, a division of Pacific Southwest Credit, announced today the company joined with software development company VivánTech

Retail industry needs to re-evaluate customer service

Last week in The Advertiser, we reprinted a 40-year-old photo of retail buildings in Wolfville and the image took one of our gentle readers back in time

Mortgage Market Liquidity Slump Can Affect Credit Cards

With the foreclosure crisis still in full swing, sending new ripples through the economy with every cycle of ARM resets, defaults, and foreclosures

Evidence Grows That Consumers Are Pulling Back

The latest sign that growth in consumer spending, the mainstay of the U.S. economy, is slowing? A nip and tuck in spending on cosmetic surgery.

Improving credit score not as hard as it seems

Are you one of the more than 30 million people in the U.S. with a low credit score (below 620)? Many folks in the Martinsville area have that problem

Credit unions drop payday loan lobbyist

Virginia's credit unions are dropping the influential lawyer-lobbyist they share with payday lenders, citing "negative media coverage" of high-cost instant loans.

Sector Wrap: Credit Card Lenders

Shares of credit card lenders mostly fell Friday on continuing concerns about the decay of credit quality.

IT Pro Admits Stealing 8.4M Consumer Records

The Channel Register is reporting that a database administrator at Fidelity National Information Services, a consumer reporting agency in Florida

Economy adds jobs but housing, mortgage sectors shed positions

The U.S. economy added 94,000 jobs in November with gains in health care, food service, retail and professional services.

Iowa business briefs: Johnston approves Deere Credit project

A Deere Credit Services expansion project received approval Monday from the Johnston City Council.

Deere Credit Services gets approval for expansion

John Deere Credit can move ahead with an expansion project that would add over 150 jobs to central Iowa.

Keep Grinch at Bay During Holidays With 12 ID Theft Tips of Christmas

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, and with the growing threat of ID theft looming, consumers may not know their identities could also be for sale.

Credit card late fees: When December spending brings January pain

It's the biggest gift-buying season of the year, and you may feel as jolly as Old St. Nick as you hand over your credit card.

Deere Credit Services gets approval for expansion

John Deere Credit can move ahead with an expansion project that would add over 150 jobs to central Iowa.

ZANA Network and Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Join Forces to Support...

ZANA Network, LLC, an online marketplace and business development resource serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide, and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC)

Key US lawmaker says Bush housing plan penalizes borrowers with good credit

The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee today argued that the Bush administration's plan to help struggling subprime borrowers

Stable credit, opg trends seen for US IT sectors except EMS - Fitch

Fitch Ratings said it believes 2008 credit and operating trends will remain stable for most US information technology sectors

Deere Credit Services gets city approval for expansion

Deere Credit Services got city approval this week for an expansion project that would add over 150 jobs to central Iowa.

American Reprographics Company Completes Refinancing of $350Million Senior Secured Credit Facilities

American Reprographics Company (NYSE: ARP), the nation's leading provider of reprographics services and technology, today announced that it completed the refinancing of its existing credit facilities

Credit Card Processing Solution Company Recognized for Performance and Customer Service

A1 Merchant Accounts, a provider of merchant account processing solutions, is recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction and top performance in the industry.

Voting for Farm Credit Services board ends Friday

Voting for Farm Credit Services of America’s board of directors ends Friday , said Doug Stark, president and chief executive officer

Credit Worries Send Stock Indexes South

The major stock indexes finished with losses amid continued worries about the nation's financial sector.

LicenseTracker(TM): A Financial Compliance Tool Designed to Track and Maintain Mortgage Licenses

The Mortgage Licensing Group, Inc. (?MLG?) is proud to announce the availability of its easy to use online LicenseTracker?

CUSO Financial Services, LP Develops New Online Consortium Offering for Small Credit Unions

CUSO Financial Services, LP (CFS), a full-service broker dealer and Registered Investment Adviser that provides customized investment and insurance solutions exclusively

A credit-card alternative

On the seventh floor of a generic building on Deereco Road in Timonium, a young company is trying to change the way people shop online