Putting Credit Card Debt on Notice ReportFeb 4, 2009 Putting Credit Card Debt on Notice Report from Tim Westrich on using electronic reminders to give consumers the right information at the right time. Feb 4, 2009 Tim Westrich
What Bank Mergers Mean for Credit Cards ArticleDec 16, 2008 What Bank Mergers Mean for Credit Cards Consolidation under the financial crisis could mean higher penalties and fees for consumers, write David Balto and Tim Westrich. Dec 16, 2008 David Balto, Tim Westrich
Card Sharks ArticleNov 17, 2008 Card Sharks Banks tapping the government’s $700 billion financial rescue package are raising interest rates instead of helping the economy recover, observes Tim Westrich. Nov 17, 2008 Tim Westrich
Setting the Record Straight: Blame Conservatives, not CRA, for subprime mortgage mess ArticleSep 30, 2008 Setting the Record Straight: Blame Conservatives, not CRA, for subprime mortgage mess Tim Westrich details why conservatives are responsible for the subprime mortgage mess, not the Community Reinvestment Act. Sep 30, 2008 Tim Westrich
An Update on the State of Minorities ArticleSep 25, 2008 An Update on the State of Minorities Key indicators show that minorities continue to fare poorly in the current economy, write Amanda Logan and Tim Westrich. Sep 25, 2008 Amanda Logan, Tim Westrich
Help for Main Street ArticleSep 24, 2008 Help for Main Street Landmark credit card protections passed by the House in the midst of bailout negotiations are good news for consumers, writes Tim Westrich. Sep 24, 2008 Tim Westrich
Credit Card Showdown ArticleSep 16, 2008 Credit Card Showdown Both Congress and the Fed could pass much-needed protections to help consumers manage rising credit card debt, writes Tim Westrich. Sep 16, 2008 Tim Westrich
Avoiding Costly Overdrafts: Think Twice Before You Swipe Your Debit Card ArticleSep 2, 2008 Avoiding Costly Overdrafts: Think Twice Before You Swipe Your Debit Card Even checking accounts—probably the most basic account in banking—contain a plethora of hidden traps these days and practice a type of “gotcha capitalism” that will get you if you don’t take a few steps to avoid the most common pitfalls. Sep 2, 2008 Tim Westrich
Your First Car Loan: Know Before You Go ArticleJul 22, 2008 Your First Car Loan: Know Before You Go So, you’re finally on your own with a new job. If you’re like most Americans, a car is a necessary item—88 percent of Americans use their car to get to work. The path to getting an auto loan is full of pitfalls that can extract extra money over the course of the loan. And with the price of gas at record levels, getting a car that will serve your needs and fit into your budget may require some planning. Jul 22, 2008 Tim Westrich
Six of One, Half Dozen of the Other ArticleJul 22, 2008 Six of One, Half Dozen of the Other As consumers are less able to access home equity loans, they are turning to credit cards to continue their consumption—meaning it’s more important than ever to improve credit card terms. Jul 22, 2008 Tim Westrich
The Young and the Indebted ArticleJul 2, 2008 The Young and the Indebted High fees, high interest rates, and complex terms that come with credit cards are particularly damaging to increasing numbers of young people who use plastic. Jul 2, 2008 Erica Williams, Tim Westrich
Troubled Homeowners Need Breathing Room ArticleMay 28, 2008 Troubled Homeowners Need Breathing Room A new House bill would give borrowers and servicers more time to renegotiate mortgages so that homeowners can keep their homes, writes Tim Westrich. May 28, 2008 Tim Westrich