How Secure are Your Bank Account and Assets?Written by Peter Flowers
If you're reading this you most likely live in a first world country with established banks, a stable government and a safe neighborhood -- somewhere you can sleep at night knowing your family’s future is safe.But are you really safe? In last few years, laws such as Patriot Act in US have been approved that effectively take your rights to privacy and financial well being away. These same laws that were meant to protect us are now instead being used as a loophole by high power lawyers and government agencies to access your banking records, garnish money and freeze your assets. In fact, currently US banks automatically report to government agencies on activities of their clients, including you. What's worse, your hard earned savings can now be legally garnished from your bank account by government agencies and creditors who may believe they have a claim against you. In US alone you stand a 1 in 4 chance of being sued if your net worth exceeds $100,000. Not a lot of money! Can you sleep at night? Many offshore tax havens are no longer safe either. The Patriot act has enabled US to attack privacy laws in Bahamas, and UK has even forced Jersey Islands to fully disclose beneficial ownership information.
| | Your Mortgage Rate Compare and SaveWritten by Dale Ronewicz
When trying to obtain best mortgage rate compare offers from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all costs involved in loan. Knowing just amount of monthly payment or interest rate is not enough. Besides your mortgage rate compare information about loan amount, loan term, and type of loan from varies lenders and brokers. The following information is important to get from each lender and broker: Mortgage RateCompare each lender and broker and ask for a list of current mortgage interest rates and whether rates being quoted are lowest for that day or week Ask whether rate is fixed or adjustable. Keep in mind that when interest rates for adjustable-rate loans go up, generally so does monthly payment. If rate quoted is for an adjustable-rate loan, ask how your rate and loan payment will vary, including whether your loan payment will be reduced when rates go down. Ask about loan’s annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only interest rate but also points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate. Points Aside from your mortgage rate compare Points. Points are fees paid to lender or broker for loan and are often linked to interest rate; usually more points you pay, lower rate.
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