Loan & Credit Management Center

• Borrowing and Repaying Loans
• Building Credit
• Solving Credit Problems

• Employers Can Check Your Credit Report as Part of Job Interviews
  

  What does your credit report tell prospective employers about you?

• Data Breach Guide
  

  It seems a new data breach happens every week. Is it possible to stay on top of it all and make sure you’re not one of the millions of victims of identity theft?

• Secured vs. Unsecured Loans
  

  Good financial management includes knowing what types of loans are available to you and how they work.

• What to Do After Your Credit Score Takes a Hit
  

  There are many reasons your credit score may drop—and not all of them are bad!—but knowing how to repair your score is essential for financial wellness.

• Credit Cards & Teens
  

  Credit cards are another responsibility of adulthood. By involving teens in accountable credit card use, they benefit from an early credit history and parental guidance.

• Your Credit Score Dropped After You Paid off a Loan. What Happened?
  

  Credit scoring isn’t as intuitive as you might think.

• Should You Lend Money to Family and Friends?
  

  What should we do when our friends or members of our family fall on hard times and look to us for help?

• The Truth About Student Loans
  

  Nothing is free, and nothing worth having is easily gotten. It’s a tough lesson to learn for new college graduates — especially those with big student loan debt.

• You Should Know This before Taking out Student Loans
  

  Weigh the price of education carefully.

• Your First Credit Card
  

  Avoid scams and start using credit as a tool.

• What is a Reverse Mortgage?
  

  A boon for retirees, or a ripoff?

• Understanding Bankruptcy
  

  Relieve yourself of your debts.

• Are Payday Loans a Scam?
  

  If you need some quick cash, think twice before you apply for a payday loan.

• The Snowball and Avalanche Strategies of Paying Off Debt
  

  Which will you choose to cool off your debt situation?

• Is Your Debt Ripe for Consolidation?
  

  Before you agree to new arrangements, make sure they’re a good fit.

• In Debt? Know Your Rights and How to Deal With Collection Agencies
  

  There are strong laws to help you win your battle with debt collectors.

• What to Do When Loved Ones Ask for Money
  

  If you’re asked to make a large financial commitment or approached for monetary assistance, take a breath and refuse.consider the impact on your own financial well -being.

• Free Tools to Check and Protect Your Credit
  

  The Federal Trade Commission has your back when it comes to your credit.

• Are You a Card-Carrying Consumer?
  

  Using credit can help you get what you want as long as you keep it under control.

• Paying Monthly Bills with a Rewards Credit Card
  

  Paying monthly bills with a rewards credit card is a growing trend in household finance, but is it a good idea?

• The Hidden Danger of Minimum Monthly Payments
  

  A low minimum payment might sound great on the surface, but can haunt you in the long run.