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☆ Opinion: The US has always made good on its debt. There’s no reason to think that will change
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Opinion Mark Zandi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The higher the rating, the more likely the investor can trust that principal and interest payments will arrive on time. Indeed, global investors use the interest rate on US Treasury bonds to determine the interest rate on other countries’ bonds. Consider the recent battle over increasing the Treasury debt limit and looming prospects for a government shutdown later this year. These so-called governance issues are central to Fitch’s decision to downgrade the nation’s debt. The last time was in the early 1990s when interest payments on the debt ballooned, and the fiscal outlook darkened.

Persons: Mark Zandi, CNN —, Fitch, “, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, we’ve, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Lore, Winston Churchill Organizations: Moody’s, CNN, AAA, Mark Zandi CNN, Treasury, European Union, US Treasury, Twitter, Facebook, Democrat, Republican, British

☆ What this week's U.S. credit rating downgrade means for your money
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Markets hit the skids on Wednesday after Fitch Ratings downgraded its rating on U.S. debt to AA+ on Tuesday evening — one notch below the agency's highest rating of AAA. "The repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management," the rating firm said in a press release. In historical context, though, this week's downgrade is less of a big deal than it seems, experts say. the rating agency dinged Uncle Sam's once perfect credit rating. "In some ways, the S&P downgrade echoes the current downgrade from Fitch," Sam Millette, fixed income strategist for the Commonwealth Financial Network, wrote in a recent note.

Persons: Fitch, Ryan Detrick, — Fitch, —, Bonds, Uncle Sam's, Jon Maier, hasn't, Sam Millette, Maier Organizations: Fitch, AAA, Nasdaq, Dow, Carson Group, Moody's, Global, Commonwealth Financial Network Locations: Washington, creditworthiness, Fitch

☆ CNBC Daily Open: The Fitch-induced sell-off is nothing to panic over
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on August 02, 2023 in New York City. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Stocks sell-offAll major U.S. indexes sank Wednesday as investors digested news of the U.S.'s lower credit rating. [PRO] S&P 500(0)Fitch Ratings may have lost confidence in the U.S.'s creditworthiness, but analysts are still bullish on the stock market.

Persons: Stocks, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, Larry Summers, Mohamed El, Erian, —, Fitch Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, U.S, Nasdaq, Nikkei, Fitch, Global, JPMorgan, Former U.S, Allianz, China New, Qualcomm Locations: New York City, Asia, Pacific, China, U.S, It's

CNN —There may not be any lasting major negative ramifications from the surprise US credit rating downgrade by Fitch this week — not for the economy, not for consumers and not for the government’s ability to borrow. Normally, when your credit score as a consumer falls — or your credit rating as a country — there are negative consequences. Here’s why the United States is unlikely to see that kind of impact from the Fitch downgrade. The downgrade wasn’t a huge dropFitch cut its US credit rating to AA+ from what had been a sterling AAA rating. “Fitch’s credit rating is an expression of the probability of a default.

Persons: You’re, Fitch, “, brinkmanship, Marc Goldwein, you’re, ”, Mark Zandi, Yellen, Jamie Dutta, Dutta, ” George Mateyo, ” Mateyo, ” José Torres, Torres, it’s, ” Torres, Uncle Sam, CRFB, – CNN’s Krystal Hur, Allison Morrow Organizations: CNN, Fitch, AAA, Committee, U.S . Treasury, Moody’s, AA, “, Vantage, Key Private Bank, Federal Reserve, Interactive Brokers, Moody’s Investors Service, Treasury, Congressional, Social Security Locations: United States, States, corporates, United

☆ Fitch's downgrade of U.S. debt unlikely to have much economic impact — for now
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While financial markets on Wednesday took a break from their monster rally of 2023, economists largely expect the impact on the economy to be minimal. Some even questioned the timing of Fitch's action, saying it seems to come after the biggest scare to whether the U.S. would meet its debt obligations has passed. Overall, this announcement is much more likely to be dismissed than have a lasting disruptive impact on the US #economy and #markets." It also cited the battles that warring congressional factions have had over the debt ceiling as well as budget standoffs. Goldman also said it does not see a meaningful impact on holders of Treasurys or other government-sponsored or municipal debt.

Persons: Mohamed El, Erian, Fitch, Veronique de Rugy, de Rugy, that's, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, There's Organizations: Poor's, Fitch, Allianz, Twitter, AAA, Mercatus, George Mason University, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Congressional, Moody's, Service Locations: U.S

International credit scores generally do not transfer to credit scores in the US. Nova Credit allows immigrants from some countries to apply for credit with an international credit score. FICO VantageScore Payment history (35%) Payment history (40%) Credit balance (30%) Length & type of credit (21%) Length of credit history (15%) Percent of credit used (20%) New credit (10%) Total debt/balances (11%) Mix of credit accounts (10%) Recent credit behavior and inquiries (5%) Available credit (3%)How credit scores work internationallyOther countries have a credit scoring system that differs from the United States. Alternatively, you can use credit builder products like a secured credit card or credit builder loan, which don't require high credit scores to qualify. Transferring international credit scores frequently asked questionsWhat happens to my credit score if I move to another country?

Persons: Misha Esipov, TransUnion, you've Organizations: Nova Credit, Nova Credit's, American Express Locations: United States, America, Canada, Japan, Nova, Australia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Chevron

☆ Student Loan Repayments Are Dwindling - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Laura Beamer | Marshall Steinbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

2013 was the first year when over half of all student loans carried a balance greater than originally borrowed. The 2020 student loan repayment pause shook up this unhealthy dynamic. But student loan repayment had been dwindling for at least a decade before the pause. But an important additional source of student loan misery is the widening and diversifying nature of the Americans who take them out. Our student debt research uses credit reports, both from an annual, representative cross-section of student borrowers and from a single group of borrowers we’ve been following since 2009.

Persons: couldn’t, Laura Beamer, Marshall Steinbaum, doesn’t, It’s, —, Biden, we’ve, they’re, “, Bill, ’ Organizations: Jain, Institute, University of Utah, White, American, Black, Women, Congress, Department of Education

Artificial intelligence algorithms are increasingly being used in financial services — but they come with some serious risks around discrimination. And the problem of amplifying existing biases can be even more severe when it comes to banking and financial services. As for financial services, Manji said a lot of the backend data systems are fragmented in different languages and formats. "Individuals have little knowledge of how AI systems work and that their individual case may, in fact, be the tip of a systems-wide iceberg. Among the top worries industry insiders expressed are misinformation; racial and gender bias embedded in AI algorithms; and "hallucinations" generated by ChatGPT-like tools.

Persons: Nabil Manji, Manji, they've, we're, You've, Banks, Banking's, Rumman Chowdhury, Twitter's, Chowdhury, Angle Bush, Bush, Frost Li, Li, Niklas Guske, Guske, it's, Goldman Sachs, Kim Smouter, Smouter, ethicists Organizations: Photodisc, Getty, Deloitte, CNBC, Microsoft, Google, Black, Artificial Intelligence, Tokyo University, Apple, New York Department of Financial Services, European Network, United Nations Locations: AMSTERDAM, Worldpay, Amsterdam, Chicago, Loup, United

☆ Harvard researchers share 7 charts that show the struggles of buying and renting a home in America today, and their recommendations for solving them
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies released their State of The Nation's Housing report. Harvard Joint Center for Housing StudiesOn top of that, mortgage rates have surged from around 3.3% in early 2022 to just under 7% today. Harvard Joint Center for Housing StudiesBlame that in part on falling building rates. Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies"The construction slowdown in 2022 raised concerns about the nation's large and ongoing housing shortfall. To boost homeownership rates among minority groups, the researchers also proposed lowering credit score minimums for mortgages and taking into consideration other indicators of creditworthiness that aren't reflected in a credit score.

Persons: it's, homeownership Organizations: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, National Association of Realtors . Harvard Joint Center for Housing, Harvard Joint Center for Housing, Harvard, Center for Housing

Our experts answer readers' personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess personal loans). Secured personal loans are backed by collateral just like other types of secured loans, but for personal loans, they're a bit different. Compare Personal Loan RatesWhen is a line of credit better than a personal loan? Interest rates for personal lines of credit and credit cards tend to run higher, on average, than those for personal loans. Interest rates for personal lines of credit and credit cards tend to run higher, on average, than those for personal loans.

Persons: —, Dani Pascarella, Pascarella, You'll, might've, caterer Organizations: Service, Chevron

☆ UK homeowners brace for more mortgage pain as borrowing costs shoot up
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Existing and aspiring UK homeowners are bracing for a fresh wave of misery as a rise in benchmark borrowing costs threatens to push up monthly mortgage payments. The yield on the country’s two-year government bonds — which is used to set interest rates on mortgages — jumped to 4.87% on Tuesday. The figures have pointed to persistent inflationary pressures, increasing the chances of more interest rate hikes by the Bank of England and driving up gilt yields. “We’ve had to reflect that in our mortgage rates,” the spokesperson said. “[UK inflation] is a chronic problem, and it’s not something that you can deal with quickly.”

Persons: Liz Truss, Craig, Samuel Tombs, “ We’ve, Paul Dales, “, Truss, Henry Nicholls, ”, Ed Al Organizations: London CNN, Bank of England, Royal London Asset Management, CNN, Pantheon, UK Finance, HSBC, HSBC UK, Capital Economics, Reuters, Columbia Threadneedle Investments Locations: United Kingdom, Europe, United States

There are many reasons why a credit card issuer could decide to reduce your credit limit. AdvertisementIntroduction to Credit Line DecreasesYou're cruising along with your favorite credit card when you get a notification that your credit limit's been lowered. How does a decreased credit line affect my credit score? A decreased credit line can increase your credit utilization ratio, potentially lowering your credit score. AdvertisementKeep your credit utilization low, make payments on time, regularly use your credit card, and maintain a stable income.

Persons: —, Banks, you've, You've, Equifax —, You'll Organizations: Service, Consumer Financial

You may also consider contacting a business loan specialist or a direct business lender that offers many options. "Business loan options are abundant, and it can be very easy to obtain business financing," says Grayson. Lenders generally look at your time in business, credit scores (both business and personal), cash flow, collateral, and the industry the business is in. Grayson emphasizes three key factors that lenders prioritize before making lending decisions: Ability to repay the loan, the need for the money and how it will assist with a critical business need or growth, and the business and business owner's overall creditworthiness. Grayson emphasizes that research is the most important tool to be successful with a small business loan.

Persons: you've, —, Matt Brewster, Gina Taylor Cotter, You'll, Noah Grayson, Grayson, Brewster, Cotter Organizations: Service, Business Administration, Estate Bees, Nonprofit, Revenue

☆ Read the pitch deck that helped raise $5 million for fintech FilmHedge after it closed $100 million in debt financing to fund new films and TV shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

FilmHedge closed in March on a $5 million funding round and has a $100 million credit facility. FilmHedge, an Atlanta-based fintech launched in February 2020, provides liquidity to productions with budgets ranging from $1 million to $50 million. It follows a $100 million credit facility from Coromandel Capital and Fallbrook Capital in 2022, which helps FilmHedge finance projects. "We have access to $100 million, but we see around $70 million in applicants per month," he said, "so we have to pass on a lot of deals." FilmHedge gave Insider a look at the 18-page pitch deck it used while raising its $5 million Series A round and $100 million credit facility — check it out here.

Persons: FilmHedge, Jon Gosier, fintech, May FilmHedge, Gosier, —, Axios, FilmHedge hadn't Organizations: Hollywood, Netflix, Entertainment, Variety, Lionsgate, Disney, Collab, WOCStar, Savannah College of Art & Design, TriplePoint, Coromandel Capital, Fallbrook, Media Locations: Atlanta, Coromandel, Hollywood

Our experts answer readers' student loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess student loans). See Insider's picks for the best lenders to refinance student loans >>If you have federal student loans, you have options for debt forgiveness, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment Plans. Insider's Featured Student Loan Refinance Companies SoFi Student Loan RefinancingSplash Financial Student Loan RefinancingEarnest Student Loan Refinancing Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Show more Variable: 5.32 % - 8.94%, Fixed: 4.96% - 8.99% (with AutoPay discount) Editor's Rating 3.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Apply now Apply now Apply now2. While private student loans aren't eligible for forbearance in the same way federal student loans are, you still have options if you're struggling to keep up with your payments.

Persons: —, Pell Grant, Autopay, forbearance Organizations: Service, Public, Biden, Loan, SoFi, AutoPay, Federal Reserve Bank of New, AK, IL, forbearance Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, MN, NH, OH, TN, TX, California, Florida, Texas, In Texas

☆ Macron Faces Fresh Test as Outlook for French Finances Dims
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Liz Alderman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the list of challenges facing President Emmanuel Macron after raucous nationwide demonstrations over his pension measures, add a new one: a cascade of warnings over France’s finances. On Friday, S&P Global cautioned that it still had a negative outlook on France’s creditworthiness. S&P Global maintained its investment-grade credit rating for France, a decision that Mr. Macron’s government had eagerly awaited. But in restating a negative outlook first published in January, the ratings agency cited concern about France’s ability to rein in its public finances amid already elevated general government debt. And it added to concern among analysts about Mr. Macron’s ability, in a tense social and political climate, to move forward with his efforts to lift the country’s competitiveness and growth.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron’s Organizations: P Global, France

ET (1900 GMT), to discuss the debt ceiling bill. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields fell about 10 basis points (bps) to 3.72%, while thirty-year yields fell 8 basis points to 3.90%. "What is currently happening since yesterday shows where the debt ceiling premium was actually priced: mostly in bonds," said Ielpo. The cost of insuring exposure to a U.S. debt default meanwhile fell. "I wouldn’t blame the Treasury rally on the debt ceiling deal necessarily... the additional T-bill issuance, quantitative tightening, and difficult bank funding conditions now conspire to less favourable financing conditions to the economy," said Bouvet.

☆ Prepare for more stock-market jitters after the debt-ceiling deal, Morgan Stanley warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The debt-ceiling deal could drive up stock-market uncertainty, according to Morgan Stanley. Investors should brace themselves for a rise in uncertainty in the aftermath of the 11th-hour debt-ceiling compromise, according to Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley's Tirupattur said the Treasury would also likely issue a flurry of bills in a bid to raise more cash once a debt-ceiling deal has been voted through Congress. Investors snapping up these short-term bonds could "drain liquidity in the system" for stocks and other assets, Tirupattur wrote. Read more: Wall Street is bracing for stock market chaos as the debt-ceiling face-off drags on

☆ Credit ratings agencies like Moody's decide the US credit rating. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Credit rating agencies are once again in the spotlight amid the ongoing high-stakes debt ceiling negotiations in Washington. What is the purpose of credit rating agencies? Put simply, credit rating agencies provide their opinions and issue a score evaluating the likelihood that a borrower will repay its debt. Rating agencies first rose to prominence over a century ago, but today, the three major agencies dominate the market. Bonsall has studied the effectiveness of credit rating agencies and their possible conflicts of interest.

☆ Top US credit rating under watch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Following are some of the actions by the agencies in recent days:Fitch:Fitch earlier this week put the U.S. credit rating on watch for a possible downgrade. Fitch has also placed 11 ratings of U.S. credit-linked notes (CLNs) on ratings watch with negative implications. Moody's currently has an "Aaa" rating for the U.S. government with a stable outlook - its highest creditworthiness evaluation. S&P Global:The agency has not put U.S. ratings on watch yet, but has had its second-highest rating on the country since 2011, in contrast to Fitch and Moody's. That year, S&P took a bold call to cut U.S. rating to "AA-plus" from its highest "AAA" even as a default was narrowly averted.

☆ Debt ceiling crisis: How a US default would ricochet around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But if it does, it could make the 2008 global financial crisis feel like a walk in the park. The consequences are frightful.”The belief that America’s government will pay its creditors on time underpins the smooth functioning of the global financial system. During the 2011 standoff over raising the US debt ceiling, the S&P 500 index of leading US shares plunged more than 15%. “It’s unclear in a Treasury default crisis whether the Fed could do enough even with the types of efforts it deployed in March 2020,” Obstfeld said. “A default would be a message to investors all around the world of eroding confidence in America,” he added.

☆ The US' AAA credit ratings at risk of a downgrade due to 'brinkmanship over the debt ceiling.' This could impact trillions of dollars worth of Treasury securities.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Fitch expressed concerns about political partisanship amid negotiations over raising the debt ceiling. On Wednesday, major ratings agency Fitch put the US's credit on watch for a possible downgrade, citing political "brinksmanship" in negotiations over raising the debt ceiling. The ratings agency expects a resolution to the debt ceiling crisis before the X-date. However, the risk that the debt ceiling may not be raised has also gone up. Fitch also signaled concerns about challenges over governance amid the debt ceiling crisis.

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday that negotiations over raising the U.S. debt limit were progressing toward a deal despite disagreements over spending, with only eight days before the government could face an unprecedented default. Fitch Ratings, one of the big three ratings agencies, placed the United States' triple-A status on "rating watch negative." The warning came after McCarthy projected hope that negotiators would reach a deal in time to avoid default. The decision to let members fly home for the week is a tacit acknowledgment by House leadership that a deal to raise the debt ceiling does not appear to be imminent. Debt ceiling-related stress was affecting Treasury markets in particular, Yellen said at a Wall Street Journal event.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Fitch, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Joe, Biden, Janet Yellen, Yellen Organizations: WASHINGTON, Fitch, Fox Business, White, Treasury, Republican, Democratic, Capitol Locations: United States, Washington, U.S

☆ Explainer: How could a US debt ceiling default hit regular Americans?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Americans could quickly notice painful blows to their retirement accounts as stock markets swooned, and within days the lack of federal payments could weigh heavily on doctors' offices, retirees and workplaces throughout the country. At that point, Washington would be under severe pressure to keep making payments on U.S. bonds, which underpin the global financial system. Within days, the financial mayhem would be a principal force putting the economy on the path to recession, Zandi said. More Medicare bills would come due in subsequent days, and because Medicare funds about a fifth of U.S. healthcare, some doctors might not have money to pay staff and other bills. Payments could also stop going out to government contractors, including $1 billion due to defense contractors on June 5.

☆ US economy on the brink as time runs low to avert debt default
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

After a weekend of acrimony between negotiators for House Republicans and the White House, Biden will meet House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Monday for critical talks on pulling the economy back from the precipice. Biden and McCarthy to meet MondayThe rhetoric eased a little, however, after Biden and McCarthy spoke as the president flew home on Air Force One. McCarthy already passed a bill raising the debt ceiling in exchange for a wish list of Republican demands. This is a balance of power that ought to drive both sides towards a compromise, but extremist elements in the House GOP could make that impossible. Like McCarthy, Biden also faces political pressure within his own party after some progressive Democrats expressed fears he would offer the speaker too much in any deal.

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