This paper addresses the credit report, including how and why a credit report is important and exactly how the credit report can impact the individual.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper addresses the credit report, including how and why a credit report is important and exactly how the credit report can impact the individual. This paper provides information first on the appropriate steps necessary to acquire a full credit report, and the reasons the average consumer might wish to do so. This paper then investigates the scams that accompany credit and credit reports in order to better inform the reader of the problems that might occur in acquiring a credit report through non- official channels.
Tags: BUSINESS / FINANCE, ECONOMICS, ACCOUNTING, the credit report
Abstract This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of credit risk management software as a risk mitigation tool. The author explains the use of credit-scoring models. The paper demonstrates the application of credit-scoring to CRM software.
From the Paper "For more than four decades, creditors doing business with consumers have been using credit-scoring models to determine if applicants are good credit risks. Information about an applicant's credit history including the amount of debt they have outstanding their bill-paying history any history of late payments and the number of times they have been sued or placed for collection are all factors that CRM programs use to establish an appropriate credit limit for a consumer credit applicant. Fay Hansen in "Business Credit" reports that a few years ago ....."
Abstract This paper discusses credit derivatives in modern banking. The paper gives a brief outline of credit derivatives, and further discusses the concept of how they function within the global market. The paper examines occurrences within banking in relation to credit derivatives and how these events have affected the worldwide opinion regarding the limitations of these transactions. The paper draws conclusions from the research provided, and offers opinions for the future of credit derivatives in banking.
From the Paper "When the economy is stable and interest rates are low, banks traditionally struggle for profits because there is not a significant need for loans from consumers or big business. In these moments of financial peace, banks needed methods that would ensure they could survive independently on the downfall of the economy in order to remain solvent. Credit derivatives were born of such concern, allowing bankers, and others, the ability to reduce their risk by selling risk to other parties. Risk was still maintained by lending institutions, but the prospect of intense profit margins was the deciding factor for most banks to begin to participate in credit derivatives. The research will demonstrate that bank use of credit derivatives has been a recorded success, and that credit derivatives continue to grow across the globe as a boom to the banking industry. However, limitations do exist connected with credit derivatives."
Highlights the main reasons why membership in the Employee Federal Credit Union (EFCU) is shrinking and why individuals are opting for commercial banking when credit unions offer loans at lower rates.
Abstract This research report addresses the main reasons why EFCU has encountered a decline in membership and what is prompting people to borrow from other financial bodies. In order to better understand these reasons, however, the paper first looks at why people are initially attracted to credit unions instead of commercial banks and the principles that guide the growth of credit unions. The report is based on a survey of EFCU members, which was conducted through mailed questionnaires.
From the Paper "This has been a major setback for most federal credit unions including EFCU the number of its members has decreased and many existing members prefer commercial banks to meet their loan requirements. While the governmental regulations are certainly playing a dominant role in poor performance of credit unions in last few years, we must not forget how banking industry has persistently forced the government to develop such legislation. The worst part is that due to this persistent challenges, market share of credit unions came down to 12% in 1995 from 13% in 1980 while that of bans increased from 50 to 56% during these fifteen years."
Abstract This paper provides an extensive review of the recent literature relevant to pricing credit derivatives. The paper discusses new developments in credit derivative pricing and explains that these new developments are those innovations that expand or clarify the existing variations models for credit derivatives.
From the Paper "The purpose of this study is to review new developments in the pricing of credit derivatives. Credit derivatives, essentially insurance against credit risk through the structuring of and trading in of synthetic financial assets, are little more than a decade old. Thus, a skeptic might state that almost anything that occurs in the credit derivative market reflects a new development. The perspective providing the focus in this study however is that new developments are those innovations that expand or clarify the..."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of foreign tax credit for corporations under IRC section 901(b)(1). The paper first explains foreign direct investment in order that we may understand the relevant issues. The paper then gets into the specifics regarding tax credits and issues where these foreign investment companies are concerned.
Outline:
Chapter One - Introduction
Chapter Two - Review of Case and Ruling Issues
Chapter Three - Methodology
Chapter Four - Case and Ruling Analysis
Chapter Five - Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations
From the Paper "The first limitation that is important to note is that there is so little information about the case study subject in question - the foreign tax credit. While there is indeed some information, much of it comes from laws and rulings as opposed to studies and research articles. With that in mind it is important to note where the information that is being collected for the study of this issue is coming from. There is no reason not to use the information that is provided by others, but making sure that one is aware of where it comes from and what potential consequences that could have is of utmost importance when it comes to looking at the limitations that can be found in research. Making sure that the most accurate data available is used is significant and when something cannot be verified it should be pointed out in the study that it cannot be verified so that there is no further confusion as to whether that piece of information is legitimate or not for the study."
Abstract This document discusses the marketing strategy of Metro Credit Union (MCU) and its options, focusing on issues such as branding, brand identity and positioning in a competitive environment. MCU is concerned about which market segments to pursue and how to pursue the one it targets. The paper concludes that MCU should pursue a technologically savvy and able online brand identity.
Abstract This paper uses secondary data to analyze the credit card industry along five constructs: (1) Competitive analysis: Porter's Five Forces and PEST analysis, (2) monopoly vs. perfect competition, (3) standardization vs. localization, (4) competition vs. collaboration and (5) revolutionary vs. evolutionary change. The author points out that the existing credit card industry is a mature market, but it still has room to grow as more people become familiar with the allied financial services their credit and debit cards can provide. The paper relates that VISA enjoys the most powerful credit/debit card position in consumer cards especially in business credit cards, with it has extensive and integrated work in payments processing; however, the founders of First Data/Concord EFS were particularly aggressive business people. Many tables and charts.
Table of Contents
Introduction
In Brief
Background
Flies in the First Data Ointment
Objective
Methodology
Structure of the Dissertation
Literature Review
Competitive analysis
Porter's Five Forces
Porter's Five Forces Example
PEST Analysis
Economic Factors
Socio-Cultural Factors
Technological Factors
Literature Review
Monopoly vs. Perfect Competition
Standardization vs. Localization
National Initiatives
Competition vs. Collaboration
Revolutionary vs. Evolutionary Change
Opportunities
Overview of Credit and Debit Card Industries
Top Ten Card Issuers Compared
Bank Card Profitability
Differences between Credit and Debit Cards
U.S. Payment Cards-in-Force (in millions)
Off-Line Debit History
Top 10 U.S. Issuers by Card Loans
Developed vs. Less Developed Nations' Credit Card Use
VISA Volume
2003 Top 10 Countries
Global Financial Cards in Circulation - 2003
Corporate /Commercial vs. Consumer Use
Analysis of VISA's Strategy
VISA's Strengths
VISA's Weaknesses
VISA's Opportunities
VISA's Threats
STP Strategy (Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning)
Conclusion
Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "From the merchant's point of view, the merger was seen as one that would give them an alternative to VISA and MasterCard. Shortly after the merger, major STAR network contracts with high-profile banks such as Wells Fargo, Wachovia and BankOne were set to expire; this opened the field to some turmoil, in all likelihood, because VISA was already making a play to sign the same institutions for its processing and acceptance capabilities. FirstData/Concord was assumed to have the upper hand, however because analysts thought those two institutions, despite their disparate original sizes, understood contracts of that sort and banks themselves better then VISA. As it turns out, STAR did lose some of its bank contracts, reducing the value of the merger somewhat from the First Data standpoint."
Abstract In the first part of this paper, the writer discusses the rise in credit card use and looks at the reasons behind this increase. The writer then examines how the availability of easy credit caused a fundamental shift in American tastes. The writer also evaluates how these trends could affect a consumer's purchasing power, the credit industry, and even the national economy. The writer concludes that a combination of consumerism, economic need and the easy availability of credit have contributed to the revolving debt figures in the US. Further, the writer argues that as more people become knowledgeable about credit and are turning to debit cards and cash, creditors will have to devise new ways to encourage credit spending.
Outline:
Credit History
Credit Aftermath
Economic Effects
Works Cited
From the Paper "Previous research has suggested that only a small amount of credit-card holding households were responsible for the vast majority of credit card debt. Others have shown that as credit cards became more common forms of payment, average balances increased across the board. The fact that credit cards became more readily available in the early 1990s partly accounts for this phenomenon, and tends to support the latter conclusions. It is far more likely that all people are using credit cards more, rather than merely a fraction of American households."
"Bernthal et al attributes this increase in revolving debt to intense competition among lenders. There was therefore a strong incentive for lenders to extend loans to riskier households. In the 1980s, credit cards were seen as a status symbol, only acquired by those who had disposable income. By 1995, however, the average credit card holder had lower income and was more likely to be single. The average credit card holder was also more likely to rent rather than own their home, worked in a blue collar profession and often carried higher credit card balances."
Abstract The paper considers, how of all the problems afflicting the United States, credit card debt and pad payments are almost as serious as overweight and bad eating habits. The paper discusses the FICO score that facilitates the task of companies offering credit with the use of a single number that displays a buyer's credit history. The paper shows how the best way to improve one's FICO score is to improve one's credit; paying debts and keeping large outstanding debts to a minimum. The paper reveals that while the specific scores are useful for merchants to determine the credit standing of potential customers, it is also useful for the individual to occasionally check his or her specific score. Nevertheless, to accept every recommendation and offer from score agencies is unnecessary and costly.
From the Paper "According to Coffey and Palm in "Bank Marketing", the FICO score is the most common credit score in use today. The term FICO is an acronym derived from the company that introduced the score, Fair Isaac Credit Organization. This score is used by a number of credit reporting agencies, including Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The score facilitates the task of companies offering credit with the use of a single number that displays a buyer's credit history. Factors taken into account when calculating the score include a customer's payment history, amounts borrowed, credit history duration, new credit taken and current types of credit. The calculation then arrives at a number between 300 and 850. A higher number means better credit. So the better your credit history, the higher the score and the easier it is to get a loan. Conversely, lower scores indicate a higher credit risk, and also a merchant's tendency to loan money at a higher rate of interest."
Abstract This paper discusses that a friend discovered that he had been a victim of identity theft and credit fraud demonstrating how important it is to be aware of the information on one's credit report. The paper relates that the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) mandates that the disclosure of credit reports must be free of charge for consumers. The paper relates that the reasons for checking one's credit report at least yearly are (1) the frequent potential for error on the part of the credit reporting agency, (2) the possibility of being a victim of identity theft and not even being aware of it and (3) knowing one's exact credit score can give a person an edge when negotiating things like car and home loans.
From the Paper "In previous years, individual consumers' credit scores were unavailable to private people; leaving individuals somewhat in the dark regarding their actual score. Although credit reports and scores could be purchased for a fee of around $30-$50, most consumers did not take the time or want to spend the money to verify that they had not been victims of fraud, or even that a clerical error had occurred in their credit ratings. However, recent laws have mandated the disclosure of credit reports free of charge for consumers. In December 2003, Congress enacted and the President signed comprehensive legislation, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) updating the 1970 Fair Credit Reporting Act."
A look at how the creation of credit in the U.S. economy has been hugely compounded over time and why credit is the defining aspect of our financial system.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper explores the aspect of credit in America's financial system and traces the path of credit from its origins. The author examines how the creation of credit in America's economy has been greatly compounded over time and, now hugely prevalent, credit is the defining aspect of the national financial system.
From the Paper "Today credit is more prevalent then ever before. Over three quarters of the American adult population have and use at least one credit card. However, along with this heavy reliance on credit comes a definite risk. Even as early as 1791 this threat was realized, the bank made a large impression on the economy within months of opening its doors in late 1791. Initially it flooded the market with its notes and credits, and then, in February 1792, it sharply reversed course and curtailed credit."
Abstract This paper explains that the trading policies of Merrill Lynch depend on the integrated management of its client-driven accurate positions, together with the associated hedging and financing; moreover, several trading habits make Merrill Lynch susceptible to market, credit, liquidity, process and other threats, which are practical and need exhaustive controls and supervision. The author points out that where suitable, credit risk alleviation methods comprise of the prerogative to need start-up collateral or margin, the privilege to cease transaction or get guarantees in case any untoward incidents happen, the prerogative to ask for the guarantee in the event when some exposure ceilings are crossed and the purchase of credit default safeguards. The paper stresses that, to respond in a better fashion to credit risk management, Merrill Lynch needs guarantees mainly from U.S. government and agencies securities, on several derivative business deals.
From the Paper "Liabilities in favor of other brokers and dealers linked to outstanding dealings are booked at the amount for which the securities were purchased, and the deal is squared off on the receipt of the securities from other brokers or dealers. As regards long-standing securities failed-to-receive, Merrill Lynch might buy the basic security in the market and look for payback for losses from the counterparty. Merrill Lynch has time-tested policies and measures for extenuating credit risk on principal dealings, inclusive of appraisal and setting up ceiling for credit exposure, maintaining collateral, and persistently evaluating the creditworthiness of counterparties."
Abstract The paper ascertains the attitudes of students relative to credit cards, examining their attitudes towards their perceived convenience, risk and the extra cost of potential transactions. The analysis includes both the students' and their families' income, the frequency of parents' fights over money and credit cards, specifically, and the number of credit cards carried. The paper discusses the conclusions from this research, that shows the marketing of credit cards for college students, both to their parents and to the students themselves, is extremely effective. The paper explains that credit card companies are successfully imparting the messages of control, ego gratification and the rationalization of emergencies.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Research Issue
Methodology
Analysis of Results
Conclusions/Recommendations
Limitations
Appendices
From the Paper "Fifty students were given the printed questionnaire and assured complete anonymity and privacy, and also were left alone in classrooms after sessions were over to complete the survey. A $3 Starbucks Card was offered to the first ten students to complete the survey, so that motivation to quickly finish the research instrument would be assured. Graduate-level students were asked to complete the survey during an evening course break. "The sampling focused primarily on business students, with an even mix of women and men in the samples to rule out gender bias in the analysis of the results, a research design advocated by Hair, J.F., Anderson, R.E., Tatham, R.L., & Black, W.C. (1995) in their book."
Abstract The paper describes how our credit ratings affect everything from insurance premiums to the interest rates we are offered on loans and deposits required for certain services. The paper explains that a credit score is simply a numerical ranking between 300 and 850 that financial institutions assign to an individual's credit report. This information is then statistically ranked to determine how likely that individual will be to repay credit. The paper discusses how credit scores are established, how they are utilized and what components are considered.
From the Paper "Susan's insurance carrier sent her a renewal quote for her automobile policy, which she had held with them for several years at the same rate. Susan had never had an accident or even a speeding ticket, so she was quite surprised to see that her premiums had increased substantially since her last bill! She called the insurer to find out what the source of the increase was, thinking it could be a clerical error, and found out that the financial difficulties with late payments and large debt she had experienced the previous year had been factored into establishing her car insurance cost. Susan was shocked to find out that her financial issues had affected her insurance prices, even though she had never been late in paying a premium nor had any claims on her policy!"
