Bankruptcy And Debts

Executives at Debt Shield, Inc., a Maryland-based debt settlement firm, said that the increased minimum monthly payments on credit card balances will most likely not double, as it is widely reported, but that the increase might push financially struggling cardholders into bankruptcy or bankruptcy alternatives, like debt settlement.

Consolidation Debt Mortgage "While credit industry experts and the media claim that credit card companies are doubling their minimum monthly payments from 2% of the outstanding balance to 4%, the actual minimum payment increase is more complicated and less drastic for most cardholders," explains Mark Baylis, President of Debt Shield. "The new rules require credit card banks to set their minimum payments to cover all interest and fees plus 1% of the outstanding balance, which will result in significant increases for high-interest accounts."

Aside from Americans declaring bankruptcy at alarming rates (one in every 100 families are affected by a bankruptcy), Americans also carry $683 billion in revolving credit card debt. Remember, that’s not what’s charged every month, rather what Americans owe currently on their credit cards. These are outstanding, unpaid balances. Even more frightening, according to the Cambridge Consumer Credit Index, 47% of Americans pay only the minimum payment each month.

Consolidation Debt Help Baylis said that a cardholder with $10,000 on a credit card at 18% Annual Percentage Rate (1.5% monthly) pays $200 under the 2% minimum requirement. Out of that $200 payment, $150 (1.5%) goes towards interest and only $50 (0.5%) goes towards the outstanding balance. Under the new rule, the minimum payment will increase so that the amount applied to the outstanding balance in this example is at least $100 (1%), so the minimum monthly payment must increase by $50 (0.5%) to $250 (2.5%).

Credit card and even more so Store card interest are set at exorbitant rates for one reason alone, companies make their money from the consumer’s inability to settle their card balances. Credit card debt is unsecured, whereas other debt like your mortgage is secured (your home acts as security against your debt). With credit card debt, there is no backing security, which means that credit card debt is high risk for banks and hence the high interest rates

Consolidation Credit Debt The average APR is currently just under 14% (1.17% monthly), but credit card companies increase the APR to 27% or higher if the cardholder makes one late payment. This means that the reality of the new rule will punish low- to medium-income families struggling with credit card debt more than high-income families who are able to avoid paying late. Baylis said that even a small increase can have drastic consequences for families struggling to make the existing payments and manage inflation combined with stagnating income.

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Bill Consolidation Debt The MMP on a credit card debt with the above-average 18% APR will increase by $50 while the same $10,000 debt with a 27% penalty APR will increase by $75. Also, the 27% APR charges $75 more in monthly interest than the 18% APR. Baylis said that this clearly demonstrates the financially destructive power of high interest rates.

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Consolidation Debt Quote "The increased minimums will be good in the long term because it should encourage less debt," Baylis continued. "But if the credit card companies want to help consumers, they need to stop punishing cardholders with outrageously high interest rates."

The only requirement that any individual having a balance on his or her credit card has to face is making a minimum payment that is set by the creditor every month in accordance with how much the balance is. The minimum payment can be found on your credit card statements. That amount has to be forwarded to your creditor by the given date that appears alongside it. If it does not get there then you will be charged and you also risk harming your credit rating. However, it should be at the forefront of your mind that this minimum payment is just that because too many people make the mistake of only paying tee minimum off and this usually leads to seemingly permanent debt. Paying the minimum payment every month will literally mean that you are paying a grand total of £5 to £10 off a debt if you are lucky. This is not good enough when the balances reach into the thousands.

Consolidation Debt Lead About Debt Shield, Inc.

Consolidation Debt Non Profit Debt Shield, Inc., is a debt settlement company dedicated to helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable and discounted lump sum settlements in consideration of legitimate financial hardships. By helping consumers avoid bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at www.debtshield.com.

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