Related Financial Services - The following Debt Consolidation Loan Directory sections allow you to comparison shop other finance products, such as debt consolidation loans and credit counseling firms.

• Credit Card Debt Consolidation - Learn more on how debt consolidation can work for you and compare a detailed company list of lenders and related services offering help to people that need to consolidate debt.
• Personal Loan Rates - Looking for a small loan? Start at the personal loans directory, where you can shop and apply with different lenders and related services online.
• Debt Management Counseling - Do you feel that your credit card bills are stacking up with nowhere for you to turn? Your problem is not unique. Signing up with debt management firm may be the right solution to your debt problems. Review different firms offering these services to determine if this is the correct option for you.

What You Can Learn from Other Consumers' Questions and Concerns

Three

Questions or complaints involving specific financial institutions. Many questions or complaints involve account terms and conditions, such as fees, penalties, restrictions, and interest charges or payments.

Concerns about charges for "bounced checks" (due to insufficient funds) are common. So too are calls and letters about the costs of ATM transactions; many consumers forget or are not aware that they can be charged a fee for using an ATM that is not owned by their bank.

"When a bank changes the terms on an account, whether it is a checking account or a credit card, this also generates mail and phone calls," added Lynne Gottesburen, an FDIC Supervisory Consumer Affairs Specialist. "Consumers often don't realize that a bank can change the interest rate or the terms on an account or even close an account, as long as the change is allowed in the contract or agreement between the bank and the customer and the proper notification is given. That's why it is so important to read and understand your account agreement and correspondence sent by your financial institution."

Also, she said, don't be afraid to ask a bank representative to explain something to you when you open the account or in the months or years that follow.

Consumers also contact the FDIC to discuss a dispute over a deposit account transaction or balance. Examples include deposits that didn't get posted to their checking account as expected or fees that seem incorrect. "Read your account disclosures and monitor your account on a regular basis to make sure the transactions reflected are yours and are accurate," said Joni Creamean, an FDIC Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist. "If there is a mistake, notify your bank immediately and follow up in writing."

The FDIC also receives many calls and letters each year from people trying to track down information about old accounts and banks that have changed names or no longer exist. These inquiries often come in after an individual dies and the executor or heirs find "proof" of an old account or a receipt for a safe deposit box at an unfamiliar bank. FDIC officials say that, in most cases, the accounts were closed by the owner years ago, but sometimes there are valuable accounts or other assets that can still be claimed, usually from the unclaimed property office in the state where the owner lived or did business. You can turn to the FDIC for help or direction in these situations. Start by reading our article about lost or forgotten accounts in the Spring 2002 FDIC Consumer News at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnspr02/lost.html.

FDIC Consumer News is published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FDIC Consumer News is produced quarterly by the FDIC Office of Public Affairs in cooperation with other Divisions and Offices. It is intended to present information in a nontechnical way and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of FDIC or other government regulations and policies. Mention of a product, service or company does not constitute an endorsement.

Find current and past issues of FDIC Consumer News at http://www.fdic.gov/consumernews. Refer to this same index to locate the issues that are specially formatted for being reprinted in any quantity.

To receive an e-mail notice about each new issue of FDIC Consumer News posted on the FDIC Web site, with links to stories, follow instructions posted at www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Last updated on 2/1/2007

Make educated decisions when shopping for bank services, consolidation of debt, mortgages and insurance. Read up!

DebtConsolidationLoan.com has a growing list of free informative and educational financial articles for consumers shopping for many types of financial services related to the management of your money, such as bill consolidation, fraud alerts and auto insurance. There is no better way to make decisions regarding your personal finances than to read and understand how they work, fees you will be charged, etc. Please feel free to visit our consumer library to learn more.

• Interest Only Mortgage Loan Financing - Interest only mortgage loans are a unique home loan type, and they are certainly not recommended for everyone. Read this quick article to determine if they are the right fit for you. 
• What if You Can't Pay Your Bills? - Making the payments on your monthly bills on time is always the most important thing you can do to ensure that you retain a good credit rating. But, in case you run into trouble, there are some things you should do immediately. 
• Your Bank as a Financial Supermarket - Today's banks are increasingly becoming financial supermarkets offering investment and insurance products in addition to insured savings accounts. Learn the difference between traditional bank products and newly offered services, as well as what is insured and what is not.
• Home Equity Loan Products: How to Borrow Safely - As values increase in many housing markets, Americans are increasingly tapping their home's equity for an equity loan or an equity line of credit. Learn more and make the right decision for your needs.

The Debt Consolidation Loan Directory is a service of Infinamic, Inc. All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Infinamic, Inc. is not responsible for the content and services, that may be provided to you, by following the links from this web site. Use this service at your own discretion.