Credit Research News - April, 2007

Credit Suisse sued over sub-prime bonds

Bankers Life Insurance is suing Credit Suisse over bonds issued by the bank backed by sub-prime mortgages following turmoil in the sector.

Delta Gets a Lift on Its Credit Rating

Standard & Poor's looks at the carrier's strategy as it emerges from bankruptcy protection, and raises it to a B credit rating

Fidelity National Information Services "outperform," target price raised

Analysts at Credit Suisse reiterate their "outperform" rating on Fidelity National Information Services (FNF.NYS). The target price has been raised from $55 to $60.

Opinions differ on effectiveness of FICO score

Fair Isaac says its FICO score works just fine. But rising defaults have prompted some to question whether the system has flaws.

GreenStone employee recognized

Sheryl Smith, a financial services officer with the GreenStone Farm Credit Services Charlotte office, has been awarded a GreenStone Farm Credit Services

Top Motorcycle Lenders In The USA

So you are considering purchasing a new or used motorcycle, but need to find a motorcycle lender that will offer you a loan.

PointVision Launches a New Website for University Credit Union

University Credit Union (UCU), serving the University of Maine System since 1967, launched a brand new content management website today.

Give prison health care credit it deserves

Your April 10 editorial on health care in Michigan's prisons failed to provide important information

East Idaho Credit Union

Invested in Community, Invested in You

Credit card trap

Sleek new car… impress the neighbors. Caribbean vacation… fun in the sun. Great new boat… summertime blast. Monthly payments… overwhelming.

Accept Credit Card for Your E-Business

Accept Credit Cards with Advanced Merchant Services is the one-stop-shop for all your merchant accounts need. Boost your online business by accepting credit card with merchant account.com

Merchants Welcome House Scrutiny of Hidden Fees and Other Abusive Credit Card Practices

The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) welcomed comments by Rep. Melvin Watt (D-NC) criticizing the hidden credit card "interchange" fee

The Credit Fix: Bay Area Company Investigated

You hear advertisements for them all the time: companies that claim they can help improve your credit.

McClatchy's credit rating downgraded

The McClatchy Co. of Sacramento faces higher interest expense after its bonds were downgraded Thursday by a leading Wall Street credit agency.

Credit card rep tells Congress they try to keep public informed of fees, penalties

A representative of the American Bankers Association told a House panel today that the credit card industry is working hard to improve industry standards for disclosing fees, interest rate hikes and other penalties to consumers.

Brampton Transit Tax Credit Expanded

The federal government has expanded the eligibility criteria for the 15.5 per cent transit tax credit.

Credit Union to expand

Bay Ridge Federal Credit Union announced that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the US government

Local GreenStone Farm Credit Services employee recognized for excellence

Scott Welden, a Financial Services Officer with the GreenStone Farm Credit Services Hillsdale office, has been awarded a GreenStone Farm Credit Services Circle of Excellence Gold Award

Advantages Of Credit Card Debt Management Are Many - Select The Right One

When you are seemingly lost in a sea of debt and are left wondering if there is a way out and dread facing your various creditors

FHLBank Cincinnati Announces Management Changes; R. Kyle Lawler Named Senior Vice President

David H. Hehman, President, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLBank) announced the designation of R. Kyle Lawler as Senior Vice President, Credit Services

PrivacyMatters.com Helps Protect Your Identity with an Identity Theft Report

Because checking a credit report is not enough to prevent identity theft, PrivacyMatters.com, a leading online destination for credit management and identity theft protection services, presents the Identity Theft Report.

CA Certifies HostBridge as Interoperable With CA Telon and CA Gener/OL

Integration Using XML and Web Services Extends Life of Legacy Applications

S&P Puts ABN on Positive Credit Watch

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's Ratings Services responded positively Monday to plans by ABN Amro Bank NV to sell itself to Barclay's PLC.

Acquisition Positions Software Firm for Expanding Its Services

Local DefenseWeb Technologies Continues Its Growth Spurt as a Subsidiary to Health Benefits Firm

'Money Smart' organizers seek speakers, sponsors

A brochure for Money Smart Week captures the essence and motivation behind the program.

Local GreenStone Farm Credit Services employees recognized for excellence

Kim Cool and Dave Meyering, both financial services officers with the GreenStone Farm Credit Services Cadillac office, was awarded a GreenStone Farm Credit Services Circle of Excellence Platinum Award

Acxiom® Offers Exclusive Credit Report Portal to Resellers Via New ClearStar.net Partnership

Little Rock-based Acxiom® Corporation (Nasdaq: ACXM) (www.acxiom.com) today announced an exclusive credit report portal for resellers via ClearStar.net, a leading proprietary software application that is popular among background screening resellers

Net tops $1 billion at American Express

American Express Co. added fuel to Wall Street's rally Friday, moving 2% higher following a healthy first-quarter profit update from the financial-services powerhouse.

Credit Unions Need a New Business Model to Survive According to JMFA Executive

Leading Financial Expert Advises Executives On New Financial Model

Credit And Debit Card Payments Will Soon Be Accepted By County

Residents will soon be able to use their credit and debit cards to pay for Navajo County services.

CEO of Farm Credit Services of North Central Wisconsin Announces Retirement

The Board of Directors of United FCS, ACA announced that Michael Krutza has decided to retire as President and CEO of Farm Credit Services of North Central Wisconsin

USDA OFFERS FREE CREDIT MONITORING TO FSA AND RD FUNDING RECIPIENTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer free credit monitoring for one year to people whose private identification information was exposed on a Federal Government website that is accessible to the public.

Ammend.org Announces No Fee Debt Management Credit Counseling Services

The new bankruptcy laws have made filing Chapter 7 or 13 more difficult, and in some cases, not even an option for those suffering from an overwhelming amount of debt. To provide a bankruptcy-free solution, the America Money Management Experts for a New Direction have unveiled no charge credit card debt counseling and consolidation services online at ammend.org.

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC) Now Accepts PRBC Reports Through Credit Plus

PRBC (Pay Rent Build Credit) Reports, which are available through Credit Plus, Inc., a leader in the credit information industry since 1928, will be accepted by Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC) ...

American Express Reports Record Net Income

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today reported first quarter income from continuing operations of $1.1 billion, up 22 percent from $876 million a year ago.

WesCorp Selects MoneyGram for Official Check and Money Order Processing

MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of MoneyGram International, Inc. (NYSE:MGI) a leading payment services company, announces it has signed a multi-year agreement with Western Corporate Federal Credit Union

WestStar Credit Union Members Take Charge of Personal Online Security

iovation’s AccountLock™ feature disables phishers from accessing online accounts

Zacks Buy List Highlights: Baidu.com, Inc., Avon Products, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc.

Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing

Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Expands Contract for National Information Services' Rewards

Suncoast Schools FCU Offers ScoreCard Rewards on All Credit and Debit Cards

Alliance Data Announces Record First-Quarter Results

Alliance Data Systems Corporation , a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced record results ...

Stallion Refiles for IPO

Stallion Oilfield Services Inc., a Houston, Texas-based provider of well-site support, construction and logistics services to oil exploration and production companies ...

Education Credit Union moves into TechTown

The Education Credit Union, a locally based financial institution, has opened its second, full-service branch in TechTown, a multi-service facility.

Quantum Auto Group Partners With The Credit Union Loan Source

In a move that will help credit unions to further break down regional and state barriers to originating indirect loans ...

Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Expands Contract for Fidelity National Information' Rewards

Suncoast Schools FCU Offers ScoreCard Rewards on All Credit and Debit Cards

Sovereign Receives Credit Rating Upgrade From Moody's

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ("Sovereign") , parent company of Sovereign Bank, announced today that it has received a credit rating upgrade from Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's").

Fundtech and AgriBank Achieve First FedLine DirectSM Compliance

AgriBank communicates with the Federal Reserve Banks’ IBM WebSphere MQ Server for secure funds transfers

Figuring out whether it's worth the money to pay for an identity theft prevention service

All the publicity about identity theft -- reportedly the fastest-growing crime in America -- has spawned a cottage industry of products offering protection.

Credit Suisse acquires subprime lender Lime Financial

Credit Suisse Group on Tuesday said it agreed to acquire subprime lender Lime Financial Services.

Computer Sciences Corp. Offered 65 Percent Tax Credit to Expand Facility in Beavercreek, Ohio

Ohio is in competition with Kentucky and Washington, D.C. for this more than $6.6 million project, which is expected to create 350 jobs and retain 200 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

Superior Essex Receives Credit Rating Upgrade from Standard & Poor's

New Rating Reflects Substantial Improvement in Leverage Metrics

American Airlines Selects NOVA Information Systems for Credit Card Processing

Airline Chooses NOVA for Processing and Customer Support Services

Credit unions developing alternatives to payday loans

In a recent editorial on the interest cap that will be imposed on car-title lenders, the Register encouraged credit unions to reach out to "Iowans without good credit."

Methods Machine Tools appoints first director of financing

Kevin Sarro assumes the responsibilities of being Methods Machine Tools Inc.'s first Director of Financing and Credit Services.

Aviza Technology Completes $55 Million Credit Facility Selects United Commercial Bank

Scotts Valley, California USA--Aviza Technology, Inc., a supplier of advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets, today announced the completion of a new asset-backed credit facility

Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union and Credit Union Northwest to Merge June 2007

Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union (SMCU) and Credit Union Northwest (CUNW) are pleased to announce their upcoming merger that is anticipated to become effective in early June 2007.

Is ID theft protection worth it?

Make sure services have really got you covered

Insider Techniques To Raise Your Credit Score Fast

If there is one question I’m asked by consumers more than any other about credit, it’s this “What’s the fastest way to raise my credit score?”.

Facts Consumers Should Know Before Using A Credit Repair Company

Have you ever wondered about those ads you see from companies and law firms which offer to fix your credit for a low monthly fee?

Waste Services adds to credit facility

Waste Services Inc., an integrated solid waste management services company, said Friday it completed a $50 million

GE Money and Arctic Cat Rev Up New Revolving and Installment Credit Program

Consumer Financing Available at Dealers Nationwide

Waste Services Announces Completion of Increased Credit Facility and Results

Waste Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSII) today announced that it had completed the $50 million increase in the term loans ...

Stocks rise despite hazy retail outlook

Stocks pushed higher Thursday as investors looked past warnings of lackluster retail sales and a greater-than-expected increase in weekly jobless claims.

Spokesman silent on local impact

There was no information as of Wednesday afternoon about what Citigroup's plan to cut and shift jobs would mean locally.

Credit Acceptance Announces Completion of $100 Million Asset-Backed Financing

Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq:CACC) (the "Company") announced today the completion of a $100.0 million asset-backed non-recourse secured financing.

More Than 30,000 Nonprime Homeowners Now Enrolled in First-of-Its Kind Program to Help Them

More than 30,000 nonprime homeowners are now enrolled in Steps To Success(SM), the first comprehensive program of its kind to help mortgage customers better manage their credit

S&P lowers Manor Care credit rating

Credit-ratings agency Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Thursday lowered its corporate credit rating on nursing-home operator Manor Care Inc. and placed all of the company's ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications.

At local level, Citi cuts not known

One day after Citi announced it would cut and shift about 26,500 jobs, a company spokesman estimated the effect in Maryland to be "very minimal."

S&P Maintains Citi's Credit Ratings

Credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Wednesday it won't downgrade Citigroup Inc.'s debt rating

Paradigm Solutions Secures a $12.5 Million Line of Credit With SVB Silicon Valley Bank

Paradigm Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PDHO) (Paradigm), a provider of comprehensive information technology and business solutions for government enterprises

Credit Union offers free shredding service Saturday for documents

CorePlus Federal Credit Union will have an Infoshred truck in the parking lot of the 202 Salem Turnpike branch from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday to assist members of the community in cleaning out and staying safe.

No Credit Doesn’t Have To Mean No Mortgage

Lenders divide their clientele into tow categories: those that qualify for so-called “prime” mortgages and those that are “subprime” candidates.

DOD draft proposal limits predatory lending to servicemembers

Servicemembers and their dependents could pay no more than 36 percent annual interest on payday loans

Mocse Credit Union Expands Services With Vendor Gila Group for Turnkey Offering

Gila Corporation, through its Gila Group business unit, has signed a collections outsourcing agreement to expand its current service offering with Mocse Credit Union.

Ten Credit Unions Partner with Lending Solutions

Lending Solutions Inc., a provider of lending center services and consulting programs for financial institutions across North America, announced that 10 new credit unions selected LSI to provide loan origination services – including Internet lending and 24/7 call center services.

Berliner Closes $8 Million Credit Facility With Presidential Financial

Berliner Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:BERL) ("Berliner") announced today that it has increased its line of credit with Presidential Financial Corporation of Delaware ("Presidential") from $2.5 million to $8.0 million.

House Rules Committee won't hear bills allowing credit freezes

A single state legislator is standing between Arizona consumers and their ability to gain some new protections against identity theft.

Paying tax bill by credit? Beware

If you owe money to Uncle Sam, paying your tax bill with a credit card might seem appealing, especially if you get frequent-flier miles or other benefits for each dollar charged.

NEW PROVIDENCE: Credit union robbed Friday afternoon

The Advanced Financial Services Credit Union on Central Avenue was robbed Friday afternoon.

Que Lindo! Credit Union Marketing Agency Expands Services to Address Latino Market

Credit Union Marketing Agency, Andermahr & Company, has expanded its services to include Spanish language translation services

Problems with Credit Monitoring Services

Government agencies, banks, and businesses have improperly disclosed, and even lost, the personal information of 100,000,000 Americans in the last three years.

GE Commercial Finance is Administrative Agent in $240MM Senior Secured Credit Facility

GE Commercial Finance today announced it acted as administrative agent for a $240 million senior secured credit facility for the recapitalization of Transaction Network Services (“TNS”). GE Capital Markets served as sole lead arranger.

Credit repair services: Use with caution

Indiana attorney general's office says watch for red flags, talk to BBB.

Credit card debt: In too deep?

It’s 3 a.m. and you’re wide awake in bed when it strikes. The inner panic of buyer’s remorse creeps up like monsters from under the bed.

Farm Credit Services Claims Strong Year

In its annual report to members, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America announced earnings of $143.6 million and loan volume growth of 15.4% percent for 2006.

Financial-services sector seen ripe for buyouts

With the financial sector already among the busiest for mergers, private equity firms and other buyers are looking deeper at behind-the-scenes payment processors ...

Advantage Credit Becomes First in Nation to Offer CreditXpert Solution Suite in All Modes

Full Solution Suite/All Modes Maximizes Opportunities for Brokers to Close More Loans and Consumers to Take Control of Their Cre

S&P Hikes Kraft Foods Credit Ratings

Standard & Poors Ratings Services on Tuesday raised its credit ratings on Kraft Foods Inc. now that it is operating independently of its former majority shareholder.

CO-OP Financial Services and EFD, eFunds Corporation, Sign Multi-Year Contract Extension

Growth and Successful 19-Year Partnership Lead to Extension

Bad Credit Debt Consolidation – How To Get Rid of Debt Trap

Whether a bad credit debt consolidation program or loan, professionals offer you hope to get out of the multiple outstanding debt situation that you have incurred.

Cell phone banking next up on techie radar

Major banks plan on expanding mobile options within the year

South Western Federal Credit Union Selects SecureWave Sanctuary to Prevent Data Leakage

Leading Endpoint Security Software Provides Flexible Policy Enforcement for Centrally Managing and Monitoring Control of Removable Storage Media

R.G. Barry Corp. Signs New Unsecured Credit Facility

R.G. Barry Corporation (Amex: DFZ), the Dearfoams company, today reported it has entered into a new 3-year unsecured revolving credit facility with The Huntington National Bank (Nasdaq: HBAN) of Columbus.

Waste Services Announces Closing of Florida / Arizona Transactions; Launch of $50 Million Term Loan

Waste Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSII) today announced that it has completed transactions to acquire Allied Waste's South Florida operations

How Successful Banks, Credit Unions and Savings Institutions Are Using Pricing

The nation's elite financial institutions use pricing as a strategic tool to better serve their accountholders ...

First Data agrees to be sold for $29B

E-commerce company to be acquired by KKR affiliate

GE Antares Capital Acted as Administrative Agent in Senior Secured Credit Facility

GE Antares today announced it served as administrative agent for a senior secured credit facility to support the acquisition of Rotex Global LLC, by Windjammer Capital Investors.

Our rising credit card debt is a heavy burden to unload

Congress is beginning a crackdown on lenders with bills aimed at reining in fees, rates.

Some job perks go beyond the usual

Businesses generally offer benefits to employees, but some businesses have found that special perks can help them to stand out, encouraging job applicants to want to work there and existing employees to stay.

US bank law has helped less affluent: Bernanke

A U.S. law that requires banks to serve the less affluent has widened access to credit and helped increase home ownership ...

Clean up clutter in your finances

Spring is here, and for many people this means it's time for spring cleaning.

Resident Screening Updates Reduce 'Bad Tenant' Risk

Estimates indicate that as much as five percent of rental revenues within the multifamily industry is lost each year from tenants who write bad checks, skip payments, are evicted and leave significant property damage, according to the National Multi Housing Council.