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☆ Heloc vs Home Equity Loan: When Are They a Good Idea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

And might a home-equity loan or Heloc work for your financial needs? How home-equity loans and Helocs workHome-equity loans and Helocs—home equity lines of credit—are tools for borrowing from your home equity, or the portion of your property you actually own. To use a home-equity loan or Heloc, you need to start with a good amount of equity. Lenders generally require that you maintain at least 20% equity in the home after taking out a home-equity loan or Heloc. “With a home-equity loan or Heloc—depending on the amount of equity you have in the home—much higher amounts are available.”Home-equity loan or Heloc?

Persons: Aly J, Jeff Levinsohn, Helocs, “ We’ve, ”, Susan Waite, don’t, Zillow, Alex Madonna, Louis, ” Levinsohn, Kyle Enright, ” Madonna Organizations: Yale, Point Breeze Credit Union, Center for Joint Housing Studies, Mortgage, Association, New, ”, Federal Reserve Bank of St, “ Locations: Hunt Valley, Md, “

☆ Homeowners are tapping into home equity to get cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That means homeowners are now collectively sitting on nearly $30 trillion in home equity, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Other reasons that borrowers gave for taking out a HELOC or home equity loan included debt consolidation and emergency cash management. Hidden source of valueA homeowner’s equity in their home can be a tremendous source of wealth. A homeowner’s equity will fluctuate over time as they make payments on their mortgage and real estate market dynamics impact the current value of the home. Mortgage balances stay high because of home equity loansNationally, mortgage balances remain near record highs as some people turn to home equity loans, rather than HELOCs, according to a quarterly report from TransUnion.

Persons: ”, Marina Walsh, ” Walsh, HELOC originations, Joe Mellman, Freddie Mac, Mellman Organizations: DC CNN, Louis Federal Reserve, Equity Lines of, Mortgage, Association, TransUnion, “, refinances Locations: Washington, originations, U.S

☆ Average consumer carries $5,947 in credit card debt — a 10-year high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On the heels of another rate hike last month by the Federal Reserve, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% on average, an all-time high. "People aren't financing purchases at 20% because they have other options," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "As a result, they are tapping into these available credit products to help them cope with rising expenses." As the number of credit card accounts in the U.S. rose, delinquencies notched higher, the report said. How to tackle high-interest credit card debtkrisanapong detraphiphat | Moment | Getty Images

Persons: John Sedunov, Greg McBride, Sedunov, Gen, TransUnion, Michele Raneri, Raneri Organizations: New York Fed, Villanova University's School of Business, Federal Reserve, Bankrate, TransUnion Locations: U.S

Household debt ticked up 0.1% to $17.06 trillion, as mortgage balances - the biggest portion, and typically the biggest driver, of overall household debt - were largely unchanged. But the quarter-to-quarter trend appeared less alarming, with New York Fed researchers noting a leveling out near pre-pandemic levels in the most recent two quarters. New York Fed researchers attributed the decline to the timing of the academic year, as well as to some small forgiveness programs kicking in. Overall mortgage balances ticked down to $12.01 trillion, from $12.04 trillion in the prior quarter, reflecting some changes in credit reporting that are expected to reverse next quarter, New York Fed researchers said. Originations rose about 11% to $179 billion, reflecting the sharp rise in car prices; the number of newly opened loans remains below pre-pandemic levels, the report said.

Persons: Lee Jae, Ann Saphir, Paul Simao, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, New York Federal Reserve Bank, Fed, New York, Reuters, New York Fed, Mortgage, Auto, Thomson Locations: Seoul, U.S

☆ ICE cuts tortuous path through frosty trustbusters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A screen displays the logo for Black Knight on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 4, 2022. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission agreed on Monday to drop a lawsuit against Intercontinental Exchange’s (ICE.N) $11.7 billion acquisition of mortgage technology provider Black Knight (BKI.N). ICE, as the New York Stock Exchange operator is known, said in May 2022 that it would snap up Black Knight for $13.1 billion. ICE’s Encompass processes nearly half of originations in the United States, with Black Knight’s Empower in second place, according to the FTC. ICE originally said on May 4, 2022, that it had agreed to buy Black Knight for $13.1 billion.

Persons: Knight, Brendan McDermid, Black, Lina Khan, Khan, litigate, Black Knight, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Oliver Taslic Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Intercontinental, Black, FTC, ICE, UnitedHealth, Change Healthcare, Exchange, Constellation Software, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, United States

☆ Take profits on SoFi after recent rally, KBW says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors should sell their SoFi holdings after the stock has more than doubled in just a few months, KBW said. Analyst Michael Perito downgraded the financial technology stock to underperform from market perform while simultaneously hiking his price target for shares by $2 to $7.50. Still, Perito's new price target implies shares could tumble 34.5% from where they finished Monday. "We believe valuation has overshot the fundamental earnings outlook," Perito said in a note to clients Monday. SoFi posted a loss of 6 cents per share when accounting for GAAP, while analysts polled by FactSet forecasted 7 cents lost per share.

Persons: KBW, Michael Perito, Perito, SoFi, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: FactSet Locations: 2Q23

NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - Shares of SoFi Technologies Inc (SOFI.O) rose by more than 22% on Monday, hitting highest level in more than a year, after the financial services provider reported second quarter results that beat analyst expectations. That result exceeded the average analyst estimate of $476.2 million and $261.3 million for SoFi's revenue and NII, according to Refinitiv data. SoFi's shares rose as high as $11.70, the highest level since March last year, before closing at $11.45 on Monday - a nearly 20% gain from the previous session. "(Second quarter) results beat expectations and were largely positive with continued rapid member and deposit growth," Jefferies analysts, led by John Hecht, said in an investor note. "We highlight that results were more from net interest income and less from fair value marks relative to our forecast, which represents recurring revenues," the analysts added.

Persons: John Hecht, Jefferies, Chibuike Oguh, Medha Singh, Nick Zieminski, Susan Heavey Organizations: YORK, SoFi Technologies, JPMorgan, Jefferies, Wall, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, New York, Bangalore

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Credit card usage is on the rise as inflation lingers and consumers lean on credit to make ends meet. In response to this increased usage, credit card issuers are stepping up their offerings in anticipation of increased originations. Before you add a credit card to your wallet, ask yourself these questions to make sure a credit card is right for you. Credit card debt can be the most expensive debt that you carry.

Persons: —, TransUnion, delinquencies Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve Bank of New Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ 'Bite of these higher rates is gaining traction almost every day,' KBW CEO Thomas Michaud warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Stephanie Landsman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A major financial services CEO warns the economy hasn't fully absorbed higher interest rates yet. "The bite of these higher rates is gaining traction almost every day." Michaud delivered the call hours after the Federal Reserve decided to leave interest rates unchanged. According to Michaud, the regional bank rally is a short-term bounce. He sees a shift from adjusting to the new interest rate environment to credit quality in the second half of this year.

Persons: Thomas Michaud, there's, CNBC's, " Michaud, Michaud, Banks, haven't Organizations: Federal Reserve, Regional Banking

☆ Blackstone will help prevent an office market 'catastrophe', says JPMorgan's commercial real estate chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Al Yoon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Reports on the death of offices are "just wrong," JPMorgan's commercial real estate chief said. Office buildings are losing value as more people opt to work from home and companies need less space. No 'catastrophe' for the office market"You get the headline written that the office market is a catastrophe," Brooks said during a JPMorgan outlook webinar on June 1. In April, Blackstone announced the final close of its Blackstone Real Estate Partners X, the largest real estate fund ever raised, with $30.4 billion in capital commitments. Through its real estate investment trust, Blackstone has maintained some exposure to office buildings.

Persons: Blackstone, delinquencies, Alfred Brooks, Brooks, JLL, Manus Clancy, JPMorgan —, hasn't, They're Organizations: JPMorgan, Blackstone, Blackstone Real Estate Partners Locations: Brookfield, Blackstone, Los Angeles

☆ JPMorgan's commercial real estate chief lays out how Blackstone will help prevent an office market 'catastrophe'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Al Yoon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, May 31 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co's (WFC.N) Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf said on Wednesday that there will be losses in the office loan space but the lender was proactively managing its portfolio. But in the context of the overall portfolio and the overall size of our loan portfolio with the company, we are not overly concentrated in office (loan space)," Scharf said while speaking to investors at a conference. The bank's outstanding commercial real estate (CRE) loans stood at $154.7 billion, or 16% of total loans, with $35.7 billion in office loans at the end of March. Office loans have posed concerns for some lenders as property values decline and more borrowers default on their loans. The San Francisco-based bank set aside $1.21 billion in the first quarter to cover potential loan losses, compared to $787 million a year earlier.

Persons: Charlie Scharf, " Scharf, Scharf, Banks, We've, Wells Fargo, Nupur Anand, Saeed Azhar, Jason Neely, Nick Zieminski Organizations: YORK, U.S, Regulators, JPMorgan Chase &, Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, New York

☆ Homebuyers might be able purchase a home with less savings — thanks to the two largest US mortgage lenders now allowing down payments of just 1%
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In a stark contrast to the homebuying bonanza of 2021, housing demand has fallen sharply with buyers grappling with a year of higher mortgage rates and stubbornly high home prices. "I was able to win them over with 1% down payment assistance, as well as give them a better rate." "These 1% down payment assistance programs are really making homeownership more affordable for borrowers, Beaubien added." Beaubien said the savings gained from UWM's down payment assistance program is truly making a difference for her clients. "A lot of homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, will get discouraged about what the closing costs and down payment may look like," Beaubien said.

Short interest in Beyond Meat rose almost 30% to about 25 million shares between April 28 and May 15, according to the data. Short interest similarly climbed even more for software firm Cvent , with investors increasing shorts just over 33% to nearly nine million shares. That's almost 40% of the stock's float. Short interest grew almost 10% to nearly 25 million shares, now accounting for 36.5% of float. The table shows all names with short interest accounting for more than 25% of float.

Persons: Terence Malone, Cvent, it's, Reginald Smith Organizations: Barclays, FactSet, JPMorgan, CNBC Pro, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq

To find a good real estate agent, talk to friends and family or go to your bank or credit union. You want a real estate agent that's an experienced professional. How to find a real estate agentHere are some tips for finding the best real estate agent for your needs. Consider a Realtor, not just a real estate agentAs you search for real estate agents, look for candidates who are Realtors. A real estate agent is one of your most useful tools in buying a home.

☆ Consumer debt passes $17 trillion for the first time despite slide in mortgage demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Total consumer debt hit a fresh new high in the first quarter of 2023, pushing past $17 trillion even amid a sharp pullback in home borrowing. A series of Fed rate cuts helped push 30-year mortgage rates to a low around 2.65% in January 2021. The higher rates helped push total mortgage debt to $12.04 trillion, up 0.1 percentage point from the fourth quarter. Despite rising rates, mortgage foreclosures remained low. Delinquency rates for all debt increased, up 0.6 percentage point for credit cards to 6.5% and 0.2 percentage point for auto loans to 6.9%.

☆ Problems are mounting in the economy, big companies say, and another Fed rate hike may be one too many
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

While that's good for them, it also means "we're definitely moving towards a slowdown," one CFO said. "They are trying to fight a problem but there's evidence around the U.S. that says the economy is slowing. One concern voiced by CFOs is that the top end of the consumer market has been masking deeper problems in the economy, with companies tracking a rise in credit delinquencies, and that is now starting to spread. But inside major corporations, executives say they see signs of mounting trouble for the economy and as another interest rate hike looms, it may be time for the Fed to stop. While traders are betting on rate cuts before year-end, the CNBC Fed Survey shows a belief from economists and money managers that the Fed will hold rates higher for eight months.

☆ What First Republic's results mean for the regional bank trade, according to Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

First Republic 's quarterly update left investors with major questions about whether the bank can repair itself after massive withdrawals, but the regional bank troubles appear to now be limited to just a small corner of the industry, according to Wall Street analysts. The troubled regional lender reported its first-quarter results Monday, showing a 40.8% drop in deposits that was steeper than analyst estimates. The bank said deposits have stabilized in recent weeks and that it was taking steps to cut expenses and shrink its balance sheet, while also exploring strategic options. Results from regional banks over the last two weeks demonstrated the stickiness of the deposit customer base. ... We expect FRC to embrace a new approach and a different business model, as it adjusts to operating with a smaller balance sheet.

☆ When M&A takes off, these are the 27 fintechs that could get scooped up, and the firms most likely to buy them
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Paige Hagy | Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Why it's on the market: SMB lenders saw valuations skyrocket during the pandemic years fueled by cash-strapped businesses struggling to secure loans amid tightening lending requirements. "These sorts of businesses almost certainly got way over their skis on valuation," a partner at a California-based venture firm, told Insider. SMB lenders are potential acqui-hires or acquisition targets unless they can raise more capital, according to one New York-based partner at a large venture firm. In November 2022, Pipe announced its three cofounders would step down and start the search for a "veteran" CEO. Both experts expect to see consolidation throughout the segment, with larger consumer and SMB lenders like Ramp and Brex as potential buyers.

☆ Solar firm Sunnova gets $3 billion loan guarantee from US energy department
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 20 (Reuters) - Sunnova Energy International (NOVA.N) said on Thursday the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will provide the solar company up to $3 billion in a partial loan guarantee to expand clean energy access. The company last month said it was in discussion with the DOE regarding the potential issuance of an indirect guarantee of 90% for up to $3.3 billion in solar loans. The DOE's Loan Program Office aims to speed development of the clean energy sector with loans to automakers, miners, recyclers and others, many of which would struggle to obtain private financing given their large capital needs. "The DOE financing would accelerate the adoption of solar and storage, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and expand the availability of reliable, clean, and affordable energy to those communities who benefit the most from low-cost energy," Sunnova CEO William Berger said in a statement. Sunnova also expects the DOE loan guarantee to support up to $4 billion - $5 billion in the company's loan originations, reduce its weighted average cost of capital and generate interest savings.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Netflix, Zoom, Biogen, Okta, Amazon, HP Inc. & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

JPMorgan upgrades HP Inc. to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said in its upgrade of HP Inc . that it sees "resilient revenue and margins." JPMorgan upgrades Ollie's to neutral from underweight JPMorgan said it has more confidence in management's same-store sales guide. JPMorgan downgrades Dell to neutral from overweight JPMorgan said in its downgrade of Dell that HP Inc. is better positioned right now. JPMorgan reiterates Amazon as overweight JPMorgan said it came away "incrementally positive" from Amazon's investor letter last week. JMP downgrades Penn to market perform from market outperform JMP downgraded the stock mainly on valuation.

Piper Sandler is optimistic again on Enphase Energy , saying that the company's U.S. business is "not as bad as feared." The firm's upgrade comes after it downgraded Enphase shares to neutral in January 2023. ENPH YTD mountain Enphase Energy stock Harrison believes Enphase's earnings margins could reach the 40% range as the company ramps up its production and harvests credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. To be sure, he noted that an unexpected declaration in the company's international expansion is a risk to his optimistic outlook on the stock. Enphase shares have dropped 21.1% in 2023, but have gained more than 9% over the past 12 months.

☆ Only the big will crack the $1 trln LBO code
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Lenders will only tiptoe back, meaning deals need the big checks and extra elbow grease in credit markets that favor the largest private equity firms. Private equity firms depend on borrowed money to reduce how much of their own they use in any single deal and to magnify returns as a percentage of their initial investment. Imagine a private equity firm acquires a company for $1 billion, then flips it five years later for $1.5 billion. Though the private equity industry is awash in so-called dry powder, fundraising is increasingly tilting to the largest fund managers. Buyout firms are apt to keep their plans more conservative to garner higher ratings – meaning, again, less leverage and more upfront cash.

☆ This A.I.-powered lending stock could be in trouble as macro environment worsens, JPMorgan warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Upstart shares will likely struggle as the environment for loans worsens, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Reginald Smith initiated coverage of the lending stock at underweight. Smith said the company benefited from pandemic stimulus driving lower default levels with other unsecured credit providers. The company reported record loan originations and profits in 2021. Smith recommended investors avoid buying shares until macro indicators like the company's Upstart Macro Index improve or management announces an expanded loan funding strategy.

☆ 27 fintechs that could be acquisition targets, and the firms that might buy them, according to VCs, investment bankers, and analysts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Paige Hagy | Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Why it's on the market: SMB lenders saw valuations skyrocket during the pandemic years fueled by cash-strapped businesses struggling to secure loans amid tightening lending requirements. "These sorts of businesses almost certainly got way over their skis on valuation," a partner at a California-based venture firm, told Insider. SMB lenders are potential acqui-hires or acquisition targets unless they can raise more capital, according to one New York-based partner at a large venture firm. A spokesperson for Pipe cited the fintech's hiring of Luke Voiles, a former Square and Intuit executive, as CEO earlier this year. Both experts expect to see consolidation throughout the segment, with larger consumer and SMB lenders like Ramp and Brex as potential buyers.

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