Hurting Poor Borrowers

New York has some of the strongest anti-usury laws in the nation, but that could change if a deeply flawed bill pending in the Legislature goes forward...more>>>

CoreLogic’s New Credit Score Exposes Even More of Your Financial Life

By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

The new measure includes data well beyond the scope of the big three credit bureaus, like your rent payments and track record on child support or alimony payments...more>>>

A New Credit Report Tracks More of Your Financial Life

By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

This week's Your Money column looks at a new credit report that contains information about your financial life not captured by most of the traditional credit reporting bureaus...more>>>

Bank Said No? Hedge Funds Fill Loan Void

By AZAM AHMED

Hedge funds and other opportunistic investors are stepping into the void created by traditional lenders that are still avoiding risky borrowers in the wake of the financial crisis; the support is critical in a recovery characterized by high unemployment and anemic growth, but poses a risk to the borrowers and the broader economy, given the unregulated nature of this shadow banking system; interest rates are also much higher; photos ..more>>>

Bank Said No? Hedge Funds Fill a Void in Lending

By AZAM AHMED

The funds are lending to customers who have been rejected by traditional banks, but there are risks for those involved and to the broader economy...more>>>

When Lenders Won't Listen

By DAVID BORNSTEIN

For many readers facing foreclosure, getting banks to respond is the hard part...more>>>

The Power of the Veto Pen

Even with 6,700 vetoes already behind him, Gov. David Paterson still has some end-of-session mischief to watch for from New York lawmakers...more>>>

Small-Business Loans Based on Cash Flow, Not Credit Score

By ROBB MANDELBAUM

On Deck Capital offers business loans that are typically less than $30,000 that are repaid by daily deductions from the borrower’s bank account...more>>>

To Protect Consumers, Who Will Be Regulated?

By EDWARD WYATT and SEWELL CHAN

Critics of the finance bill say many small nonfinancial businesses could be subject to its new regulations...more>>>

Derailing Help for Consumers

By BOB HERBERT

Ordinary Americans need someone on their side in the wild world of consumer credit. That’s why we need a Consumer Financial Protection Agency...more>>>

A Consumer Bill Gives Exemption on Payday Loans

By SEWELL CHAN; KITTY BENNETT CONTRIBUTED RESEARCH.

Senator Bob Corker wants a proposed bank agency to be more lenient, but critics say consumers would be hurt...more>>>

Dodd Proposes Financial Protection Agency

By SEWELL CHAN

Senator Christopher J. Dodd proposed a new agency to regulate credit cards and other consumer products...more>>>

The Places They Go When Banks Say No

By ANDREW MARTIN

As traditional banks have spurned small businesses, many have turned to firms that provide a relatively expensive alternative: purchase-order financing...more>>>

Paterson Says Legislators Put State in Danger

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and JEREMY W. PETERS

Gov. David A. Paterson delivered an unusually blunt address on ethics to the Legislature on Wednesday...more>>>

These Rates Would Shock a Loan Shark

By JIM DWYER

At consumer debt court, high interest rates are the norm, but they are not illegal. That could change, though, if a new effort bears fruit...more>>>