Thursday, July 24, 2008

Same Day Cash Loans - Make Cash Possible on the Same Day

At times, you are stuck to a situation where no other option left but to rely entirely upon a loan source only. It is not of a surprise upon as pennilessness is a usual phenomenon for the salaried class people. Such a situation sometimes is so sever that you can not let it go but take out same day cash loans that can work as a wonder for you. The loan is approved on the very day of loan applying to meet your varying short-term demands.

On the same day, you will be able to secure a fund upon your repaying capacity. However, a sum anywhere from £100 to £1,200 can be transacted by the borrower of any income class. The loan amount is to be repaid well that your pay day arrives. Nonetheless, you can repay the loan amount in 7-30 days. By the time you can fill your vacuum of money gap that usually remains untapped till your next pay day.

The raised fund is invested in any of your small expense that erupts frequently. These can be repairing of car, utility bills, medical charges, children's tuition fees, etc.

Same day cash loans are approved very fast, as entire of loan processing is done right online. Even you receive the loan amount in your account in less than 24 hours after you make the loan application. The lender transfers the amount directly into your account through the wire that is a safe option.

For all that, you need to make a loan application. These applications are made available online as well as offline. Usually the application needs specification of your personal profile. It follows source of your income, a valid checking account, and a paycheck. Beside all that sometimes you will have to furnish the details of your social security number which contain information regarding your age, address, and contact number. Later, a confirmation is made whether you are able to qualify for the loan. You get the loan to meet your demands subsequently.

In short, same day cash loans stand against that expenses which are frequently integrated in your day-to-day life. You can make everything possible with help of cash loans on the same day without waiting for too long.

At times, you are stuck to a situation where no other option left but to rely entirely upon a loan source only. It is not of a surprise upon as pennilessness is a usual phenomenon for the salaried class people. Such a situation sometimes is so sever that you can not let it go but take out same day cash loans that can work as a wonder for you. The loan is approved on the very day of loan applying to meet your varying short-term demands.

On the same day, you will be able to secure a fund upon your repaying capacity. However, a sum anywhere from £100 to £1,200 can be transacted by the borrower of any income class. The loan amount is to be repaid well that your pay day arrives. Nonetheless, you can repay the loan amount in 7-30 days. By the time you can fill your vacuum of money gap that usually remains untapped till your next pay day.

The raised fund is invested in any of your small expense that erupts frequently. These can be repairing of car, utility bills, medical charges, children's tuition fees, etc.

Same day cash loans are approved very fast, as entire of loan processing is done right online. Even you receive the loan amount in your account in less than 24 hours after you make the loan application. The lender transfers the amount directly into your account through the wire that is a safe option.

For all that, you need to make a loan application. These applications are made available online as well as offline. Usually the application needs specification of your personal profile. It follows source of your income, a valid checking account, and a paycheck. Beside all that sometimes you will have to furnish the details of your social security number which contain information regarding your age, address, and contact number. Later, a confirmation is made whether you are able to qualify for the loan. You get the loan to meet your demands subsequently.

In short, same day cash loans stand against that expenses which are frequently integrated in your day-to-day life. You can make everything possible with help of cash loans on the same day without waiting for too long.

Loans After Bankruptcy - Be Prepared!

Though it is not impossible to obtain financing after a bankruptcy process, it is not an easy task. The reason is simple, bankruptcy ruins the applicant's credit and it can take a lot of time to recover it. The lending industry is based on the concept of risk and those borrowers who have a past bankruptcy on record represent a very high risk for the lenders that have to consider their applications. Nevertheless, the lending industry has become so competitive that even those with a past financial failure can obtain a loan. But, they should expect certain restrictions and drawbacks:

Smaller Amounts

Rebuilding credit is a matter of time. Those with a past economic failure cannot expect to obtain high amounts easily. The only possibility for obtaining a high amount loan is to provide a proper and valuable asset as collateral for the loan. And even in that case, the borrower will have to cope with other drawbacks such as a higher interest rate and reduced repayment programs which imply higher income requirements.

Higher Interest Rate

The interest rate is a risk related variable and these two magnitudes are directly proportional. This means that the higher the risk implied in a transaction, the higher the interest rate that you will have to pay. Therefore, those with a financial failure on their credit report should expect to pay a significantly higher rate than those that have a clean and stainless credit history.

This does not mean that you will have to cope with exorbitant interest rates. It is possible to obtain an unsecured personal loan with a moderate interest rate even with a past bankruptcy. However, as explained above, the amount of money that you will be able to obtain will be reduced. Low interest rate and high amounts with such low credit is not feasible.

Additional Charges

Often, you will find yourself having to pay additional charges or costs for products that other people can obtain at reduced prices or even for free. For instance, credit cards with high credit limits may require you to pay an annual renovation cost while high credit applicants can obtain these products with no extra costs or charges and even obtain interesting reward programs.

Also, since you probably need to offer some sort of asset as collateral if you are applying for a loan, the closing costs on that loan will include the fees and charges usually associated with secured loans related to the assessment of the property used to guarantee the loan. As you can see, having bad credit due to a economic failure will imply overall higher costs that are unavoidable if you are in need of finance.

Course of Action

The reasonable thing to do is to avoid applying for finance during a reasonable amount of time till you can build up your finances again. Even if you take more time to recover without finance, your credit will eventually rebuild successfully and you will be able to obtain small loans and credit cards with reasonable rates that will help you further improve your credit situation.

Though it is not impossible to obtain financing after a bankruptcy process, it is not an easy task. The reason is simple, bankruptcy ruins the applicant's credit and it can take a lot of time to recover it. The lending industry is based on the concept of risk and those borrowers who have a past bankruptcy on record represent a very high risk for the lenders that have to consider their applications. Nevertheless, the lending industry has become so competitive that even those with a past financial failure can obtain a loan. But, they should expect certain restrictions and drawbacks:

Smaller Amounts

Rebuilding credit is a matter of time. Those with a past economic failure cannot expect to obtain high amounts easily. The only possibility for obtaining a high amount loan is to provide a proper and valuable asset as collateral for the loan. And even in that case, the borrower will have to cope with other drawbacks such as a higher interest rate and reduced repayment programs which imply higher income requirements.

Higher Interest Rate

The interest rate is a risk related variable and these two magnitudes are directly proportional. This means that the higher the risk implied in a transaction, the higher the interest rate that you will have to pay. Therefore, those with a financial failure on their credit report should expect to pay a significantly higher rate than those that have a clean and stainless credit history.

This does not mean that you will have to cope with exorbitant interest rates. It is possible to obtain an unsecured personal loan with a moderate interest rate even with a past bankruptcy. However, as explained above, the amount of money that you will be able to obtain will be reduced. Low interest rate and high amounts with such low credit is not feasible.

Additional Charges

Often, you will find yourself having to pay additional charges or costs for products that other people can obtain at reduced prices or even for free. For instance, credit cards with high credit limits may require you to pay an annual renovation cost while high credit applicants can obtain these products with no extra costs or charges and even obtain interesting reward programs.

Also, since you probably need to offer some sort of asset as collateral if you are applying for a loan, the closing costs on that loan will include the fees and charges usually associated with secured loans related to the assessment of the property used to guarantee the loan. As you can see, having bad credit due to a economic failure will imply overall higher costs that are unavoidable if you are in need of finance.

Course of Action

The reasonable thing to do is to avoid applying for finance during a reasonable amount of time till you can build up your finances again. Even if you take more time to recover without finance, your credit will eventually rebuild successfully and you will be able to obtain small loans and credit cards with reasonable rates that will help you further improve your credit situation.

Facts About APR Rate - Annual Percentage Rate Loan

When applying or searching for a loan one of the most important components o the loan is the APR rate which is the Annual Percentage Rate. This is the rate of interest that you will be paying back on the money that you borrow. It is important that when looking for a loan that you do a comparison of this APR rate because the difference in even a fraction of a point can mean big savings to you over the life of the loan.

If you have a APR rate of 8% and you are borrowing $10,000 then every year you will be paying 8% of your balance and this can be very costly when you have a high rate. It is usually computed on a monthly basis when making your payments monthly.

In some cases such as a mortgage you may also be paying a PMI rate which most lenders require if you do not have the traditional 20% down payment so it is important that when getting a loan that you check all factors involved so that you can put more money in your pocket rather than the banks.

It is always to your advantage that when you are paying back a loan to send in an extra payment even if it is a small amount that goes directly to the principle or balance of the loan. This will allow you to save a lot of money in interest and also will allow you to pay the loan off faster.

Remember that when obtaining a loan you must compare APR rate and find the lowest rate for your loan so that you save money over the life of the loan.

When applying or searching for a loan one of the most important components o the loan is the APR rate which is the Annual Percentage Rate. This is the rate of interest that you will be paying back on the money that you borrow. It is important that when looking for a loan that you do a comparison of this APR rate because the difference in even a fraction of a point can mean big savings to you over the life of the loan.

If you have a APR rate of 8% and you are borrowing $10,000 then every year you will be paying 8% of your balance and this can be very costly when you have a high rate. It is usually computed on a monthly basis when making your payments monthly.

In some cases such as a mortgage you may also be paying a PMI rate which most lenders require if you do not have the traditional 20% down payment so it is important that when getting a loan that you check all factors involved so that you can put more money in your pocket rather than the banks.

It is always to your advantage that when you are paying back a loan to send in an extra payment even if it is a small amount that goes directly to the principle or balance of the loan. This will allow you to save a lot of money in interest and also will allow you to pay the loan off faster.

Remember that when obtaining a loan you must compare APR rate and find the lowest rate for your loan so that you save money over the life of the loan.

How People Get Loans With Bad Credit

At one time or another we have all made mistakes as far as financial matters are concerned but this does not have to ruin the rest of our lives. These days many lenders accept that a poor credit history does not necessarily mean you have the makings of a risky customer and there are some who are willing to give you a second chance by way of loans for people with bad credit. All you have to do is discover which the most suitable type of loan is for you.

The first thing I think of when it comes to loans for people with bad credit is the consolidation. You can consolidate your debt into one easy payment. This not only helps you keep your head above water, it also helps you re-establish good credit as time goes by. This doesn't happen overnight but you will see that things start going your way financially relatively soon.

Remember that your credit history wasn't created over night. There were a months or even years of trouble that gave you your poor financial reputation. You can redeem yourself by taking one of the loans for people with bad credit seriously. Once you start paying the tab on a regular basis, your reputation will quickly shift.

How do I know all this I can hear you asking? Well, I am one of those people who took out one of the loans for people with bad credit. My lender put his faith in me and I have so far managed to settle the debt and not let the company down. My financial situation has improved immensely since I have been paying the loan back which I have done by way of a monthly installment for over twelve months now.

I make sure that I don't take out other loans in the meantime and this includes tempting credit card offers. I get plenty of 0 interest credit card offers but I keep them at bay. The loans for people with bad credit should be designed to get you out of debt, not to create more.

I suppose the offers of 0 interest credit cards I receive are something I should pat myself on the back about really. These offers show that my credit rating has improved sufficiently to make me eligible for such great rewards. Nonetheless, I intend to keep my eyes on the end goal. This is my promise to the lender that my main priority would be to concentrate on loans for people with bad credit.

Staying focused on getting the final payment finished on this loan before even considering another one is the best approach for me. I know that I won't need to apply for loans for people with bad credit in the future. My credit will be outstanding by then.

At one time or another we have all made mistakes as far as financial matters are concerned but this does not have to ruin the rest of our lives. These days many lenders accept that a poor credit history does not necessarily mean you have the makings of a risky customer and there are some who are willing to give you a second chance by way of loans for people with bad credit. All you have to do is discover which the most suitable type of loan is for you.

The first thing I think of when it comes to loans for people with bad credit is the consolidation. You can consolidate your debt into one easy payment. This not only helps you keep your head above water, it also helps you re-establish good credit as time goes by. This doesn't happen overnight but you will see that things start going your way financially relatively soon.

Remember that your credit history wasn't created over night. There were a months or even years of trouble that gave you your poor financial reputation. You can redeem yourself by taking one of the loans for people with bad credit seriously. Once you start paying the tab on a regular basis, your reputation will quickly shift.

How do I know all this I can hear you asking? Well, I am one of those people who took out one of the loans for people with bad credit. My lender put his faith in me and I have so far managed to settle the debt and not let the company down. My financial situation has improved immensely since I have been paying the loan back which I have done by way of a monthly installment for over twelve months now.

I make sure that I don't take out other loans in the meantime and this includes tempting credit card offers. I get plenty of 0 interest credit card offers but I keep them at bay. The loans for people with bad credit should be designed to get you out of debt, not to create more.

I suppose the offers of 0 interest credit cards I receive are something I should pat myself on the back about really. These offers show that my credit rating has improved sufficiently to make me eligible for such great rewards. Nonetheless, I intend to keep my eyes on the end goal. This is my promise to the lender that my main priority would be to concentrate on loans for people with bad credit.

Staying focused on getting the final payment finished on this loan before even considering another one is the best approach for me. I know that I won't need to apply for loans for people with bad credit in the future. My credit will be outstanding by then.

Bad Credit Wedding Loans - Get Married Without Money Problems

Getting married to your loved one anytime is easy but getting the required money for financing this wedding is not that easy. You will have to be able to afford your wedding expenses and then only you can plan for other things. Wedding loans are already there to help you out with the necessary amount but if you have a bad credit records then what will you do? In order to not to create any disturbance in your marriage because of your bad credit record you can opt for the bad credit wedding loans.

The most important reason for which you should go for these loans is that you will not suffer from any problem over here. Neither will the lender turn you down and nor will he charge higher interest rates from you. You will get the opportunity to choose anyone from the two forms of loans.

Of the two forms the secured loans are good to approach for bigger financial assistance. Here you can borrow an amount up to £75,000 and pay it back within 5 to 25 years. The rate of interest in these loans is lower and for getting this you will just have to place your property as collateral.

For unsecured loans no such collateral is required but the rate of interest is comparatively higher. For avoiding it you can go through the loans available in the market and pick up any suitable loan.

Thus, for the bad credit wedding loans any type of bad credit record will do. You just approach it and get any amount of your desire. Credit records that are being allowed by it are County Court Judgments, arrears, defaults, late payment, skipping of installments and bankruptcy. No one will be ignored and can arrange their wedding ceremony just in the way as they wanted.

Getting married to your loved one anytime is easy but getting the required money for financing this wedding is not that easy. You will have to be able to afford your wedding expenses and then only you can plan for other things. Wedding loans are already there to help you out with the necessary amount but if you have a bad credit records then what will you do? In order to not to create any disturbance in your marriage because of your bad credit record you can opt for the bad credit wedding loans.

The most important reason for which you should go for these loans is that you will not suffer from any problem over here. Neither will the lender turn you down and nor will he charge higher interest rates from you. You will get the opportunity to choose anyone from the two forms of loans.

Of the two forms the secured loans are good to approach for bigger financial assistance. Here you can borrow an amount up to £75,000 and pay it back within 5 to 25 years. The rate of interest in these loans is lower and for getting this you will just have to place your property as collateral.

For unsecured loans no such collateral is required but the rate of interest is comparatively higher. For avoiding it you can go through the loans available in the market and pick up any suitable loan.

Thus, for the bad credit wedding loans any type of bad credit record will do. You just approach it and get any amount of your desire. Credit records that are being allowed by it are County Court Judgments, arrears, defaults, late payment, skipping of installments and bankruptcy. No one will be ignored and can arrange their wedding ceremony just in the way as they wanted.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

How to Decide If Consolidating Loans Is Best

As the economy struggles, consumers are finding it harder to meet their debt obligations. The auto loan default rate could increase as much as 33% by the end of 2008, for example. And while foreclosures recently trended downward, they are still up 53% from this time last year.

If you're struggling under a heavy debt load, consolidating your loans by refinancing your mortgage may provide a solution.

Refinancing a mortgage to pay off debt is one way you can lower your monthly payments. Mortgage rates are generally lower than rates for other types of loans because a mortgage is considered secured debt -- for example, your home acts as collateral for the loan.

Meanwhile, credit card debt in particular tends to carry very high interest rates because it is considered unsecured debt.

The first step in deciding whether to consolidate involves sorting out how much you owe and how much you are paying each month. Next you need to figure out how much you stand to save if you pay off your debt by refinancing with a new mortgage. The online Mortgage Debt Consolidation calculator from BankingMyWay.com can help you wrap your head around both sets of numbers.

The calculator works by using the details from your existing debts (credit card, mortgage, car loan, etc.) to figure out your overall monthly payment and the amount of your outstanding debt. By entering the interest rate and term of your new mortgage, you can see how much you'd stand to save in monthly payments.

As the economy struggles, consumers are finding it harder to meet their debt obligations. The auto loan default rate could increase as much as 33% by the end of 2008, for example. And while foreclosures recently trended downward, they are still up 53% from this time last year.

If you're struggling under a heavy debt load, consolidating your loans by refinancing your mortgage may provide a solution.

Refinancing a mortgage to pay off debt is one way you can lower your monthly payments. Mortgage rates are generally lower than rates for other types of loans because a mortgage is considered secured debt -- for example, your home acts as collateral for the loan.

Meanwhile, credit card debt in particular tends to carry very high interest rates because it is considered unsecured debt.

The first step in deciding whether to consolidate involves sorting out how much you owe and how much you are paying each month. Next you need to figure out how much you stand to save if you pay off your debt by refinancing with a new mortgage. The online Mortgage Debt Consolidation calculator from BankingMyWay.com can help you wrap your head around both sets of numbers.

The calculator works by using the details from your existing debts (credit card, mortgage, car loan, etc.) to figure out your overall monthly payment and the amount of your outstanding debt. By entering the interest rate and term of your new mortgage, you can see how much you'd stand to save in monthly payments.

United American Bank posts quarterly loss on two bad loans

United American Bank lost $169,000 in the second quarter compared with a profit of $349,000 in last year's second quarter due to a substantial increase in its loan-loss provision.

The loss comes as no surprise. The San Mateo-based bank previously said it was taking adding $500,000 to reserves for potential loan losses after an individual holding two loans totaling $2.3 million sought bankruptcy court protection. The loans are partially collateralized, and the bank said it's monitoring bankruptcy proceedings to determine whether additional money needs to be set aside for potential losses from the loans.

Generally, the bank's faring rather well, given the credit crisis.

The bank's assets, primarily loans, are up 22 percent to almost $275 million at the end of June from a year earlier. Assets are up almost 7 percent, or $17.7 million, from March 31, 2008. Total deposits reached almost $240 million at the end of June, up from $195.8 million a year earlier and $226.5 million on March 31.

"Our earnings have been impacted by the dramatic and rapid decline in the interest rate environment and the two aforementioned loans," said John Schrup, president and CEO of United American Bank. (OTCBB: UABK) "We believe our balance sheet to be solid and that our earnings will improve once a stable economy returns."

During the second quarter, United American Bank also completed its third stock offering, raising $5.3 million in additional capital. The bank sold 334,540 shares for $16 each.

"We are quite pleased with the success of our third offering in these challenging economic times," Schrup said. "This additional capital will provide immediate liquidity reserves and will allow the bank to continue to grow."

Schrup was quick to note that the bank has experienced "no unusual deposit withdrawal activity" and that the bank has "contingency liquidity in excess of $50 million to further augment our financial strength."

United American Bank lost $169,000 in the second quarter compared with a profit of $349,000 in last year's second quarter due to a substantial increase in its loan-loss provision.

The loss comes as no surprise. The San Mateo-based bank previously said it was taking adding $500,000 to reserves for potential loan losses after an individual holding two loans totaling $2.3 million sought bankruptcy court protection. The loans are partially collateralized, and the bank said it's monitoring bankruptcy proceedings to determine whether additional money needs to be set aside for potential losses from the loans.

Generally, the bank's faring rather well, given the credit crisis.

The bank's assets, primarily loans, are up 22 percent to almost $275 million at the end of June from a year earlier. Assets are up almost 7 percent, or $17.7 million, from March 31, 2008. Total deposits reached almost $240 million at the end of June, up from $195.8 million a year earlier and $226.5 million on March 31.

"Our earnings have been impacted by the dramatic and rapid decline in the interest rate environment and the two aforementioned loans," said John Schrup, president and CEO of United American Bank. (OTCBB: UABK) "We believe our balance sheet to be solid and that our earnings will improve once a stable economy returns."

During the second quarter, United American Bank also completed its third stock offering, raising $5.3 million in additional capital. The bank sold 334,540 shares for $16 each.

"We are quite pleased with the success of our third offering in these challenging economic times," Schrup said. "This additional capital will provide immediate liquidity reserves and will allow the bank to continue to grow."

Schrup was quick to note that the bank has experienced "no unusual deposit withdrawal activity" and that the bank has "contingency liquidity in excess of $50 million to further augment our financial strength."

Countrywide Filing Shines Light on Loans

An amended complaint filed Thursday by the California attorney general related to a suit against Countrywide Financial Corp. sheds new light on the poor quality of loans the company was planning to sell to investors.

The new data provide a close look at 158,000 mortgages that had been slated for sale by Countrywide Homes Loans before last summer's credit crunch -- which was triggered by rising mortgage defaults -- turned investors away from mortgage-backed securities. Nearly 48% of nonprime loans and 21% of pay-option adjustable-rate mortgage in that portfolio were in some stage of delinquency or foreclosure as of April ...

An amended complaint filed Thursday by the California attorney general related to a suit against Countrywide Financial Corp. sheds new light on the poor quality of loans the company was planning to sell to investors.

The new data provide a close look at 158,000 mortgages that had been slated for sale by Countrywide Homes Loans before last summer's credit crunch -- which was triggered by rising mortgage defaults -- turned investors away from mortgage-backed securities. Nearly 48% of nonprime loans and 21% of pay-option adjustable-rate mortgage in that portfolio were in some stage of delinquency or foreclosure as of April ...

Fed loan rules fall short of proper audience

With as much fanfare as a central bank can muster these days -- and that isn't much even when lowering interest rates -- the Federal Reserve Board earlier this week announced its final rules for home mortgage loans.




While a classic case of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped, trotted down the road, crossed a couple of fields and ended up at the glue factory, the new rules are at least a well-intentioned attempt to avert anouther subprime mortgage disaster.

And on the surface, they sound pretty good.

The rule "prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices" according to a release from the Fed. Of course, that begs the question of why it has taken a tidal wave of loan delinquencies and foreclosures to make such practices illegal. Nevertheless, it is at least an acknowledgment that such activities do exist.

The rule also establishes advertising standards and requires lenders to disclose some things earlier in the transaction than at closing.

Again, a well-intentioned rule, but one that is not likely to have much of an impact.

Unless the Fed can partner with the U.S. Post Office and any other Federal agency willing to help, it seems unlikely that the fabulous offers of no down payment mortgages and interest-free (for a while at least) loans that continue to find their way into consumer mailboxes will stop anytime soon.

In the final rule -- which for those of a technical bent amends Regulation Z of the Truth in Lending Act and was adopted under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act -- was explained by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke as intended to "protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts and practices in mortgage lending" while making sure credit is available to qualified borrowers.

Fed Gov. Randall Kroszner waxed almost poetic about the new rule, saying the changes "have made for better rules that will go far in protecting consumers from unfair practices and restoring confidence in our mortgage system."

But for all these good intentions -- and knowing full well what road is paved with same -- the new Fed rules have missed an important component.

While they will surely protect consumers from unscrupulous lenders and scam artists, who or what is going to protect consumers from themselves?

There is no doubt that many consumers now facing delinquencies or foreclosures signed loan papers after being misled or misinformed about the terms of the mortgage loans. And others doubtlessly were assured that the market would remain "hot" and their investment in a home today would come back to them in spades in the coming months.

But there were also some consumers who went into their mortgage closing knowing full well they couldn't afford the monthly payment once the interest rate reset or once the "interest only" part of their loan deal ended.

Spurred on by the example of friends and neighbors and inundated with offers of "free" and easy credit, many Americans happily signed on the bottom line with little thought to the deeper implications of credit debt.

It is surprising that the Fed rules don't even touch on financial literacy issues, a subject Bernanke and his pals have made an important focus.




Yet it is the idea of financial literacy -- and its cousin financial responsibility -- that is at the heart of the subprime mortgage meltdown.

And any efforts to ameliorate the impact on financial markets or increase regulatory oversight on lenders will be less effective if more attention isn't paid to the state of financial literacy.

It's not enough anymore to be able to balance your checkbook and make change. And for all of those formerly bored high school students wondering why they had to study math and what possible purpose it could serve in the "real world," those particular chickens seem to be coming home to roost. At least as long as they have a perch to roost on.
With as much fanfare as a central bank can muster these days -- and that isn't much even when lowering interest rates -- the Federal Reserve Board earlier this week announced its final rules for home mortgage loans.




While a classic case of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped, trotted down the road, crossed a couple of fields and ended up at the glue factory, the new rules are at least a well-intentioned attempt to avert anouther subprime mortgage disaster.

And on the surface, they sound pretty good.

The rule "prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices" according to a release from the Fed. Of course, that begs the question of why it has taken a tidal wave of loan delinquencies and foreclosures to make such practices illegal. Nevertheless, it is at least an acknowledgment that such activities do exist.

The rule also establishes advertising standards and requires lenders to disclose some things earlier in the transaction than at closing.

Again, a well-intentioned rule, but one that is not likely to have much of an impact.

Unless the Fed can partner with the U.S. Post Office and any other Federal agency willing to help, it seems unlikely that the fabulous offers of no down payment mortgages and interest-free (for a while at least) loans that continue to find their way into consumer mailboxes will stop anytime soon.

In the final rule -- which for those of a technical bent amends Regulation Z of the Truth in Lending Act and was adopted under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act -- was explained by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke as intended to "protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts and practices in mortgage lending" while making sure credit is available to qualified borrowers.

Fed Gov. Randall Kroszner waxed almost poetic about the new rule, saying the changes "have made for better rules that will go far in protecting consumers from unfair practices and restoring confidence in our mortgage system."

But for all these good intentions -- and knowing full well what road is paved with same -- the new Fed rules have missed an important component.

While they will surely protect consumers from unscrupulous lenders and scam artists, who or what is going to protect consumers from themselves?

There is no doubt that many consumers now facing delinquencies or foreclosures signed loan papers after being misled or misinformed about the terms of the mortgage loans. And others doubtlessly were assured that the market would remain "hot" and their investment in a home today would come back to them in spades in the coming months.

But there were also some consumers who went into their mortgage closing knowing full well they couldn't afford the monthly payment once the interest rate reset or once the "interest only" part of their loan deal ended.

Spurred on by the example of friends and neighbors and inundated with offers of "free" and easy credit, many Americans happily signed on the bottom line with little thought to the deeper implications of credit debt.

It is surprising that the Fed rules don't even touch on financial literacy issues, a subject Bernanke and his pals have made an important focus.




Yet it is the idea of financial literacy -- and its cousin financial responsibility -- that is at the heart of the subprime mortgage meltdown.

And any efforts to ameliorate the impact on financial markets or increase regulatory oversight on lenders will be less effective if more attention isn't paid to the state of financial literacy.

It's not enough anymore to be able to balance your checkbook and make change. And for all of those formerly bored high school students wondering why they had to study math and what possible purpose it could serve in the "real world," those particular chickens seem to be coming home to roost. At least as long as they have a perch to roost on.