Business and Finance

In India, the loan scenario is in the grips of financial fever; so it would be quite timely to get a brief reconnaissance of the newest developments in the field of lending.

The apex bank (RBI) has taken up the CRR to 8.25% points in order to counter the the affects of a seriously rising inflation rate pushed by the rising oil prices and other consumer items. During the annual ‘credit policy meet’ the apex bank raised the CRR by 25 basis points in order to absorb the excess liquidity from the market. Also, the RBI has decreased the ‘risk weight’ on home loans up to 30 lacs and more. The step has been taken in the expectations of the banking institutions going on a reciprocating mode by curtailing the home funds’ rates of interest. During the time from April, 2007 to February 2008, the regular upsurge in the home loan rates brought about a fall in housing borrowings.

To further broaden the financing choices available with the borrowers, the ‘Reliance Retail’ and ‘Citibank’ have formed an alliance with each other to form newer and newer opportunities in the area of consumer finance and the related fields. This upcoming tie-up will give credit cards and other funds to fulfill the needs of the fastly-emerging retail chain in most parts of India. The sector of consumer finance—loans plus the credit cards—is very efficiently emerging as an important part of the financial services sectors.  Read more...

For at least the next twelve months, more than six million UK families will be living in a state of fear and financial uncertainty. According to recent research, homeowners, many of them already ridiculously exposed due to paying well above the true market price in an effort to get on the property ladder now face the real risk that unemployment or illness will cause them to fall behind on their mortgage payments and they will face eviction. And it won’t take much for them to find themselves in such a position

Statistics now show that more than sixty percent of the working population are living on a day to day basis with this fear, and are increasingly fretful, largely due to increasing silence from both the banks and the government on policy regarding repossessions. Many of the public feel that the government has paid too much attention on bailing out the banks and insurance companies, and not on providing some form of “safety net” for home owners.

While the feeling is that the credit crisis has bottomed out and the only way from here is up, for much financial security is still a long way away. In the meantime, with more than 40% of mortgage payments dependant on joint incomes, there are many families juggling their incomes on a very fine balance. 

And their fears are not without foundation, with the Council of Mortgage Lenders currently estimating that more than 75,000 UK homes will bill repossessed in 2009, adding more than 300,000 people to the list of homeless.  Read more...

The global proliferation of the phenomena of the internet and of mobile communication technologies has materially and irreversibly changed the way that we work, play and communicate. Geographical gaps have been bridged beyond our comprehension or imagination in as little as twenty years. Today we are almost unmoved by the fact that an e-mail message pops up on the recipient’s screen in another corner of the world within seconds- as though it was sent to the room next door. Similarly, it is difficult to remember how we ever lived without mobile phones.

Moore’s law relating to the exponential rapidity at which technology improves has today practically become a cliché. Not only are we not surprised that technology continues to improve by becoming faster, better and more reliable and affordable, but we have almost come to expect such improvements.

It is clear that the accessibility, affordability, speed and reliability of communication technologies, coupled with the relentless expansion of the supporting networks, will continue to add more flexibility to each of us by empowering us to be on the move and to run our business, professions and personal lives from our laptops, mobiles and PDAs, wherever we are at whatever time of the day or night- our mobile office tools are unlikely to weigh in at an aggregate weight exceeding 3 kilos, meaning that we can take them wherever we go.  Read more...

Taking a cue from the changing scenario in the global economy financial education in India has become very popular and the most sought after stream of education so that once they finish the certification program the successful candidates can find themselves an assured placement in top financial institutes. They become more informed about the financial market products, especially rewards and risks in order to make informed choices. The increasing number of participating consumers in newly developing financial markets like ours will necessitate the provision for financial education if these markets are to expand and operate efficiently.

IIFP is a FPSB India approved education provider which offers the required expertise and knowledge to clear the certification program and become a certified financial planner so that they can embark on to a high-ended top rung financial career. This is another Indian financial education institute of repute which offers a direct or distance education program according to the convenience of the students enrolled for the program. The faculty comprises highly experienced people hailing from the financial sector either serving full time or delivering duties in the form of visiting faculty.

The institute offers a Certified Financial Planner certification course and a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning and Wealth management. With a strong asset like having a good placement department, IIFP enjoys excellent relation with various financial services which it will make use of to procure placements for the students who successfully finish the program. The post graduate diploma program includes the CFP program along with other modules like Retirement Planning, Investment Planning, Advanced Economics and many other such modules which will give an edge to the successful students when compared to the others.

Interest rates on home loans are at the lowest they’ve been
in many years. Now is a great time to take advantage of
home loan financial services and resources available
online. With a little education online you can get some of
the best loans available on the Internet. It is well worth
the time and effort to research loans online to save
yourself thousands of dollars.

Online home loan services and resources can help you get
linked up to hundreds of home loan lenders. These services
and lenders can help find the best home loan for your
financial situation. The best home loan can change very
quickly, so it is a good idea to find a good licensed home
loan broker to help with your needs.

First time home buyers can get help with home loans from
FHA in purchasing a new home. You might pay a slightly
higher interest rate for the home loan, but you do not have
to come up with a large down payment with FHA loans.

Home loan services and resources online can help you decide
whether or not to have a long term or short term home loan.
You may want a 15 year loan instead of a 30 year loan if
you can afford higher loan payments. These services and
resources can also provide you with information and ideas
on many different options available to you for your
financial situation.

 Read more...