| (AFX UK Focus) 2007-07-24 09:30 GMT: TFN NEWS BRIEFING: Banking and insurance highlights to 09:15 BST
2007-07-24 09:00:04 Japan's JVC, Kenwood to form capital, business alliance TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Struggling maker of consumer electronics Victor Co of Japan Ltd (JVC), car electronics maker Kenwood Corp and the biggest shareholder in Kenwood, Sparx Group Co Ltd, agreed Tuesday to form a comprehensive capital and business alliance. 2007-07-24 08:50:19 BROKERWATCH Deutsche Boerse reiterated as 'overweight' by Morgan Stanley FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Morgan Stanley reiterated its 'overweight' rating on Deutsche Boerse AG while maintaining its target price at 107 eur per share as it included the German stock operator in its best financials feature. 2007-07-24 08:27:48 BROKERWATCH AWD Holding raised to 'overweight' from 'neutral' at JP Morgan FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - JP Morgan upgraded its stance on AWD Holding AG to 'overweight' from 'neutral' while slightly lowering its price target to 14.40 eur per share from 15.20, according to a trader.
Weighing options of credit card debt consolidation effort
D ear Debt Adviser: I have consolidated all of our credit card debt onto two credit cards with APRs of 4.99 percent and 2.99 percent until it is paid off. My husband wants us to take out a loan with the bank so that we are making set monthly payments, even though the interest rate would be considerably higher, possibly around 11.25 percent. I have tried to explain to him that we would be paying more money that way, but he does not understand. Can you explain it in a way he can understand or am I somehow looking at this wrong? -- Susan Dear Susan: I can tell who's the most fun at your house. You clearly like an unstructured approach that allows for side trips when something interesting comes along. The old "ball and chain" likes a direct approach with few unknowns and a clear end to the journey.
Companies not allowed to solicit students on campus
CARBONDALE - Southern Illinois University Carbondale took action a few years earlier to remove itself from student credit card solicitation - a problem that embroiled many major universities."Southern Illinois University does not allow credit card companies on campus to solicit to students. The university does not sell names to credit card companies," said Rod Sievers, SIU chancellor's office spokesman.
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Business Notes
MOUNT HEALTHY - A fast-growing church community has purchased the former Surf Cincinnati property. Inspirational Baptist Church, 9208 Daly Road, paid $925,000 for the 14.23-acre site on Sebring Drive in Forest Park near the intersection of Interstate 275 and U.S. 127. Spokeswoman Edie Langford said that the church will initially build a multi-use facility, consisting of a 1,500-seat worship space and a community center. Inspirational Baptist's senior pastor, Bishop Victor S. Couzens, would like to see the church purchase additional land adjoining the Surf Cincinnati property and launch job and social service programs to benefit the larger community. .
Credit Repair Secrets
At least, that's how many hits I got when I Googled the phrase "credit repair secrets." Most of these, as far as I could tell, offered e-books or services promising quick solutions to bad credit problems. Many hinted at "secrets" that the credit bureaus "don't want you to know." As if Experian and Equifax (NYSE: EFX - News) actually delight in lousy credit ratings! (They don't care either way, as far as I know -- they just try to be accurate.) Many of the services seemed like the kind that Fool Dayana Yochim wrote about a couple of years back -- high-fee, aggressively sold "debt consolidation" services that might or might not end up helping your credit rating. One in particular stood out, though. This outfit (I'm not going to name it) offered guaranteed increases in your FICO score for an up-front fee -- 50 points for $499, 100 points for $999 -- with an ongoing maintenance fee of $10 a month.
Join Credit Union? It's Worth A Look
Consumers have a plethora of borrowing and saving options, including traditional banks, online-only banks, credit unions and investment brokerages.
And although Internet-only banks can offer the most competitive rates for saving and borrowing, credit unions offer a mix of favorable rates and personal service. They're often a good alternative to traditional banks, which still dominate the market.
Credit unions are affiliated groups of people who pool their money and lend it to each other. They don't have divided loyalties - trying to serve a customer at the same time as boosting profits and the stock price for shareholders.
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