Financial Schools Reviews

(http://cdrates.monitorbankrates.com) As we close out the year, 2009 CD rates  headed lower again this week over last. The average 12 month bank CD rate is at 1.051 percent this week, down from last week’s average 12 months CD rate of 1.057 percent.

Looking for the best CD Rates? Use our CD rate table to find the highest CD rates. CD Rate Table

Using our bank CD rate tables, we found ING Direct is currently offering a promotional 12 months certificate of deposit that has an annual percentage yield (APY) of 2.00 percent – almost double the national average rate.  That yield is also higher than ING Direct’s 60 month certificate of deposit yield of 1.75 percent.

The average two year CD rate isn’t much higher than the average one year CD. The current ave

Full Article…

Some animal lovers find pet insurance too confusing.

Britons may decide not to take out pet insurance because it is too complicated, according to a leading financial services research firm.

The value of having cover in place is particularly pertinent over the Christmas period, when a household’s furry friends are tempted by a number of wires, new toys and treats.

However, Brian Brown, head of research at Defaqto, has urged insurers to simplify their policies to ensure that there is no obvious reason for people not to protect their pets.

“Pet insurance is hugely complicated, unlike motor and home insurance, for example, which is fairly similar no matter who you go to,” he told the Daily Mail.

“Many are prepared to take on the risk of things going wrong.

Full Article…

New Year’s Day is just around the corner – is one of your resolutions sticking to a budget? Prepaid cards may be a helpful tool.

We’ve previously blogged about prepaid cards being the choice for many without the credit to get a credit card or even a checking account. Prepaid cards seem to be gaining in popularity – even for people with good credit.

I have to admit, I’ve thought about using one of these cards myself, as sometimes it’s just too easy to pull out the credit card and pay for something on impulse. Like anyone else, I’ve cringed after opening at least one credit card statement.

If yo

Full Article…

Consumers may be penalised for shopping around for personal loans. Full Article…

(http://www.monitorbankrates.com/mortgages) Mortgage rates headed higher in the most recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey released by Freddie Mac. Current 30 year mortgage rates inched back above 5.00 percent to 5.05 percent, up from the prior week’s mortgage survey that had 30 year mortgage rates at 4.84%.

Even though mortgage interest rates are back above 5.00 percent 30 year rates are still lower than last year when the average mortgage rate was 5.14 percent. Average mortgage discount points remained at 0.7 points in this week’s mortgage survey.

15 year mortgage rates also increased this week, current mortgage rates are averaging 4.45 percent, up from last week’s average mortgage rate of 4.37 percent. Avera

Full Article…