Legal News

U.S. credit card debt jumps 18.5% and hits a record $930.6 billion

For most Americans, inflation and rising interest rates are a one-two punch. On the heels of another rate hike this week by the Federal Reserve, credit card annual percentage rates are already near 20%, on average, and set to climb even higher. At the same time, more consumers…

What happens now the US has hit the debt ceiling?

The US has hit its debt limit, with the Treasury Department now taking measures to prevent a potentially devastating default. Reaching the debt ceiling means the government is not allowed to borrow any more money – unless Congress agrees to…

Mortgage interest rates expected to drop in 2023—here’s by how much

After home financing costs nearly doubled in 2022, some relief is in sight for potential homebuyers in 2023. The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the U.S. is expected to drop to 5.25% by the end of this…

December’s consumer prices are likely to be hot, but the peak could come soon

A key measure of consumer prices is expected to show that inflation at the consumer level spiked in December, the hottest increase in prices since the early 1980s. Economists expect the consumer price rose 0.4% in December, and 7% on…

Fed raises interest rates half a point to highest level in 15 years

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate to the highest level in 15 years, indicating the fight against inflation is not over despite some promising signs lately. Keeping with expectations, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee voted…

A phantom debt collection scam duped consumers out of more than $1 million. Here are 5 ways you can avoid falling victim

Almost 2,000 consumers who were conned into paying debts they didn’t owe are in the process of getting their money returned to them. More than $1 million, or an average of $516 for each payment, is being returned to the…

CFPB Protecting Borrowers’ Control Over Their Money

As the economy recovers from the global pandemic, American families and businesses are experiencing higher prices as well as higher interest rates. This includes the interest rates for some credit cards. More than 175 million Americans have at least one…

U.S. consumer is soldiering on despite soaring inflation and recession risk, credit card giants say

U.S. consumers have demonstrated a willingness to continue to pay higher prices in the face of a sluggish economy that could be tipped into a recession, according to credit card giants American Express and Bank of America. American Express on Friday reported stronger-than-expected…

U.S. consumer spending seeing a ‘mitigation’ in growth not a slowdown, says Bank of America CEO

U.S. consumer spending is experiencing a “mitigation of growth” but not a slowdown, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said Friday. Interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve are starting to be felt in the housing and auto markets, and renters will…

Housing market in the United States headed for major slowdown

U.S. home prices are finally falling from record highs notched earlier this year, and they are likely to see even steeper declines in coming months as the Federal Reserve ratchets up its fight against inflation. Prices are already posting the…