Some of the most frequent questions we're asked by most perspective guarantors usually are: What commitments am I making if I become a guarantor? This answer is: When the borrower fails to fulfill the payments of the loan, and the lender has no more choices, then you definitely, as a guarantor, must make the monthly loan repayments or pay the loan off. Because the payments are month-to-month, the guarantor could just simply make it one cost, but when they are having money problems, making the payment might turn out to be an everyday occurrence. Becoming a guarantor is one thing that must be thought-about carefully.
Different problems to think about could be the applicant's historical past of jobs they've had, and whether or not they've had a good job for quite a few years. You might also wish to verify what insurance that the applicant has in case of sickness, unemployment, or job loss. There are insurance coverage policies designed to offer help in these circumstances, once more decreasing the chance of the guarantor needing to make the payment.
So, what do you do if you've gotten yourself in a fix and have just found out some not so good things with your applicant? Well, if the loan has not yet been dished out, you can get out of it. Usually, companies require that if you have a plan to back out, you should inform them. Now, if the loan is paid out, you will not be able to back out of it and change your mind. You'll have full responsibility for making the payments on these loans until the particular loan has been completely paid off.
There are other issues to think about when coming to agreement to become a guarantor. At the moment, there are quite a lot of guarantor creditors available within the market, every one of them with a distinct course they take. There are those guarantor lenders that don't credit check their consumers, but instead count on the guarantor's good credit score file and revenue to come to a decision. Different guarantor loans lenders are extra thorough and carry out a credit score search for every candidate to asses what the probability of them paying off the loan would be.
Keeping all of the above in mind, being a guarantor can provide a good relative or friend the cash they need and help them to build their credit score back up again.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Mortgage Loan: Receivable
Managing receivables is fundamental in every firm's cash flow as it is the amount expected to be received from customers for products or services provided (net realizable value). Receivables are classified as current or noncurrent assets. These transactions are recorded on the balance sheet. Current receivables are cash and other assets a company expects to receive from customers and use up in one year or as per operating cycle, whichever is longer. Accounts receivables are either collected as bad debt or cash discount. Noncurrent assets are long-term, meaning they are held by the company longer than a year. Apart from the well known noncurrent assets, banks and other mortgage lending institutions have a mortgage receivable account that is reported as a noncurrent asset.
Bad debts also known as uncollectable expense is considered as a contra asset (subtracted from an asset in the balance sheet). Contra asset increases with credit entries and decreases with debit entries and will have a credit balance. Bad debt is an expense account that represents accounts receivables that are not expected to be collected by a company. Cash discount is offered to a customer to entice prompt payment. When a customer pays a bill within a stipulated time which normally is 10 days, a cash discount is offered noted as 2/10 which means that if the account is paid within 10 days the customer gets a 2 percent discount. The other credit terms offered could be n30 which means the full amount: has to be paid within 30 days. Cash discounts are recorded in the income statement as a deduction from sales revenue.
Banks and other financial institutions that provide loans experience or expect to have losses from loans they lend to customers. As the country witnessed during the credit crunch, banks issued mortgages to customers who, due to loss of jobs or other facts surrounding their circumstances at that time could not repay their mortgages. As a result, mortgages were defaulted causing foreclosure crisis and banks repossessing houses and losing money. For better loss recovery, banks secured accounting procedures to assist bankers to report accurate loan transactions at the end of each month or as per the bank's mortgage cycle. Among those credit risk management systems, banks created a loan loss reserve account and mortgage loss provisions. The mortgage lenders also have a Mortgage Receivable account (noncurrent asset). By definition, a mortgage is a loan (sum of money lent at interest) that a borrower uses to buy property such as a house, land or building and there is an agreement that the borrower will pay the loan on a monthly basis and loan installments are amortized for some stipulated years.
To record the mortgage transaction, the accountant debits mortgage receivable account and credit the cash account. By crediting cash that reduces the account balance. Should the borrower default on their mortgage, the accountant debits bad debt expense and credit mortgage receivables account. Mortgage receivables are reported as long-term assets in the balance sheet. The bad debt expense is reported in the income statement. Having a bad debt expense in the same year in which the mortgage is recognized is an application of matching principle.
To safeguard losses from defaulted mortgage loans, banks created a loan loss reserve account which is a contra asset account (a deduction from an asset in the balance sheet) that represents the amount estimated to cover losses in the entire loan portfolio. The loan loss reserve account is reported on the balance sheet and it represents the amount of outstanding loans that are not expected to be paid back by the borrowers (an allowance for loan losses estimated by the mortgage lending financial institutions). This account is adjusted every quarter based on the interest loss in both performing and nonperforming (non-accrual and restricted) mortgage loans. The loan loss provision is an expense that increases (or decreases) the loan loss reserve. The loan loss expense is recorded in the Income statement. It is designed to adjust the loan reserve so that the loan reserve reflects the risk of default in the loan portfolio. The methodology of estimating the loan loss reserve based on all loan accounts in the portfolio in my opinion, does not give a good measure of the losses that could be incurred. There is still a risk of overstating the loss or understating the loss. Therefore there is still a possibility that the banks may run at a loss, and that defeat the purpose of having the loan loss reserve and provision. If loans were categorized and then estimated accordingly, that would eliminate further loan losses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Bad debts also known as uncollectable expense is considered as a contra asset (subtracted from an asset in the balance sheet). Contra asset increases with credit entries and decreases with debit entries and will have a credit balance. Bad debt is an expense account that represents accounts receivables that are not expected to be collected by a company. Cash discount is offered to a customer to entice prompt payment. When a customer pays a bill within a stipulated time which normally is 10 days, a cash discount is offered noted as 2/10 which means that if the account is paid within 10 days the customer gets a 2 percent discount. The other credit terms offered could be n30 which means the full amount: has to be paid within 30 days. Cash discounts are recorded in the income statement as a deduction from sales revenue.
Banks and other financial institutions that provide loans experience or expect to have losses from loans they lend to customers. As the country witnessed during the credit crunch, banks issued mortgages to customers who, due to loss of jobs or other facts surrounding their circumstances at that time could not repay their mortgages. As a result, mortgages were defaulted causing foreclosure crisis and banks repossessing houses and losing money. For better loss recovery, banks secured accounting procedures to assist bankers to report accurate loan transactions at the end of each month or as per the bank's mortgage cycle. Among those credit risk management systems, banks created a loan loss reserve account and mortgage loss provisions. The mortgage lenders also have a Mortgage Receivable account (noncurrent asset). By definition, a mortgage is a loan (sum of money lent at interest) that a borrower uses to buy property such as a house, land or building and there is an agreement that the borrower will pay the loan on a monthly basis and loan installments are amortized for some stipulated years.
To record the mortgage transaction, the accountant debits mortgage receivable account and credit the cash account. By crediting cash that reduces the account balance. Should the borrower default on their mortgage, the accountant debits bad debt expense and credit mortgage receivables account. Mortgage receivables are reported as long-term assets in the balance sheet. The bad debt expense is reported in the income statement. Having a bad debt expense in the same year in which the mortgage is recognized is an application of matching principle.
To safeguard losses from defaulted mortgage loans, banks created a loan loss reserve account which is a contra asset account (a deduction from an asset in the balance sheet) that represents the amount estimated to cover losses in the entire loan portfolio. The loan loss reserve account is reported on the balance sheet and it represents the amount of outstanding loans that are not expected to be paid back by the borrowers (an allowance for loan losses estimated by the mortgage lending financial institutions). This account is adjusted every quarter based on the interest loss in both performing and nonperforming (non-accrual and restricted) mortgage loans. The loan loss provision is an expense that increases (or decreases) the loan loss reserve. The loan loss expense is recorded in the Income statement. It is designed to adjust the loan reserve so that the loan reserve reflects the risk of default in the loan portfolio. The methodology of estimating the loan loss reserve based on all loan accounts in the portfolio in my opinion, does not give a good measure of the losses that could be incurred. There is still a risk of overstating the loss or understating the loss. Therefore there is still a possibility that the banks may run at a loss, and that defeat the purpose of having the loan loss reserve and provision. If loans were categorized and then estimated accordingly, that would eliminate further loan losses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Logbook Loans - Ideal Bad Credit Solution
Being in a situation where you have a poor credit rating can be stressful to say the least. It can be tough getting any form of credit when you are in this situation. You may have heard about the popularity and growth in lenders who offer short term financial solutions such as payday loans and logbook loans. While many people are familiar with these terms not everyone understands how they work and who are they suitable for.
Your vehicle logbook contains information about your car such as VIN number, chassis number, who you are and what your plate is. The name logbook loans came around because you use the value of your car as security for the loan. They are essentially designed for people who have a bad credit rating and have struggled to get credit elsewhere. The great thing is that because there is no credit check if you've had problems in the past such as CCJs, debts and bankruptcy then you are still eligible.
Logbook loans allow borrowing up to £50,000 depending on the value of your vehicle. You will of course keep your vehicle and still own and drive it while you have the loan. It is your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is maintained and has a valid MOT certificate.
Logbook loans are any purpose loans so you are able to use the money for whatever you like. This could be for a holiday, a special occasion or to purchase some new things for the house.
They can often be approved very quickly and you can have your money within 24 hours in most cases. Ensure that you are able to afford the repayments for the loan and remember that like with any form of borrowing there is a risk. You could lose ownership of your car if you do not maintain payments.
The APR on may appear high, but this is down to a number of reasons. First off, if you repay your loan early you will receive a rebate depending on how soon you settle. Therefore, an individual borrowing a few thousand over a month will not pay back a huge amount of interest. Also, logbook loans are primarily intended for short term usage and most customers report that they simply use them for a few weeks or months perhaps.
When getting a logbook loan the advisor will always discuss in detail and clarity exactly how much you will be repaying each month. You will have a complete understanding of where you stand financially and how much you are able to afford.
For many people who have a poor credit history logbook loans can be a real help. Before applying for one ensures that you are in a position where you can make repayments or you could lose ownership of your vehicle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Your vehicle logbook contains information about your car such as VIN number, chassis number, who you are and what your plate is. The name logbook loans came around because you use the value of your car as security for the loan. They are essentially designed for people who have a bad credit rating and have struggled to get credit elsewhere. The great thing is that because there is no credit check if you've had problems in the past such as CCJs, debts and bankruptcy then you are still eligible.
Logbook loans allow borrowing up to £50,000 depending on the value of your vehicle. You will of course keep your vehicle and still own and drive it while you have the loan. It is your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is maintained and has a valid MOT certificate.
Logbook loans are any purpose loans so you are able to use the money for whatever you like. This could be for a holiday, a special occasion or to purchase some new things for the house.
They can often be approved very quickly and you can have your money within 24 hours in most cases. Ensure that you are able to afford the repayments for the loan and remember that like with any form of borrowing there is a risk. You could lose ownership of your car if you do not maintain payments.
The APR on may appear high, but this is down to a number of reasons. First off, if you repay your loan early you will receive a rebate depending on how soon you settle. Therefore, an individual borrowing a few thousand over a month will not pay back a huge amount of interest. Also, logbook loans are primarily intended for short term usage and most customers report that they simply use them for a few weeks or months perhaps.
When getting a logbook loan the advisor will always discuss in detail and clarity exactly how much you will be repaying each month. You will have a complete understanding of where you stand financially and how much you are able to afford.
For many people who have a poor credit history logbook loans can be a real help. Before applying for one ensures that you are in a position where you can make repayments or you could lose ownership of your vehicle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Repaying Student Loan Debt
What Should I Do If I Can't Make My Student Loan Payments?
If a borrower is having problems repaying a loan, he should contact the company servicing the loan or the school he attended. There are many reasons for being unable to make monthly payments, including unemployment. Some students haven't developed debt management skills or assumed they would get a great, high-paying job after graduation. Some loans may be forgiven due to economic hardship. Other loans could be consolidated for a more manageable monthly payment.
Can I Cancel My Student Loan Debt?
There are many names for the process of reducing a portion or all of your student loan debt due to some extenuating circumstances: cancellation, deferment, dischargement, forbearance or forgiveness. There are subtle differences in the details of the processes - Deferment and Forbearance are temporary postponements of your repayment schedule; Cancellation, Dischargement and Forgiveness remove your entire debt permanently.
If you are having problems repaying your loan, then contact the organization servicing the loan before late fees are assessed. You might qualify for deferment or forbearance.
Deferment - This is a temporary suspension of loan payments due to specific reasons, like re-enrollment, unemployment, bankruptcy or economic hardship. Deferment can be made up to three years. If you have a subsidized loan, you don't need to pay interest during deferment. If you have an unsubsidized loan, you do need to pay interest during deferment; unpaid interest will be "capitalized" - added to the principal balance.
Forbearance - This temporary postponement or reduction of payments due to financial difficulty is a possibility for those who don't qualify for deferment. Applications must be made to the loan servicer. Interest continue to accrue on the unpaid principal. The student must repay the full balance. Forbearance is permitted for a period of up to one year with a maximum of 3 years.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 has assisted government employees with student loans by providing forgiveness after 10 years of service. Active duty military can get loan deferment. Some special education, science and mathematics teachers might have their loans forgiven.
What If I Default?
If you are having problems with making payments, contact the company servicing your loan. The process for falling behind in payments is gradual. Usually after graduation, the student has a grace period of six to nine months to initiate repayment.
Public government and private loans might be treated differently when the student defaults. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sections 400 to 498B) governs financial aid, federal loans and defaults.
If you default, the maturity date on each promissory note is accelerated - payment in full is immediately due. This makes a bad situation worse.
Certain government loans have very specific procedures governing default. For example, for a FFEL default to occur, the lender must exercise "due diligence" in attempting to collect the loan by making repeated efforts to locate you and remind you about repayment of the loan. If unsuccessful, then the loan is handed to the State Guarantor Agency. This must occur over a span of 270 days to qualify as default.
"Penalties for Default"
If you default, the U.S. Treasury can confiscate your federal or state tax refund. If your loan is assigned to a private collection agency, then additional collection costs might be added. Administrative wage garnishment could be initiated, which would take 15% of disposable paycheck towards loan repayment. Legal action in State or Federal District Court could also be taken.
A loan default can negatively impact you for a long time. Credit bureaus will be notified, your credit rating will suffer. You will no longer qualify for other government loans - like HUD or VA.
"Loan Rehabilitation Program"
If you appeal to the lender and demonstrate a concerted effort in making amends for your default, you might qualify for the loan rehabilitation program. Requirements for rehabilitation differ based on the loan - the Federal Direct Loan Program requires 9 full payments within 20 days of monthly due dates over a 10-month period. The Perkins Loan Program requires 9 on-time monthly payments. You can repay loans with credit card or automatic withdrawals from your banking account.
Advantages of loan rehabilitation include removal of "default" status with credit bureaus, renewed eligibility for federal loan programs and no more garnishments or IRS tax withholding.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
If a borrower is having problems repaying a loan, he should contact the company servicing the loan or the school he attended. There are many reasons for being unable to make monthly payments, including unemployment. Some students haven't developed debt management skills or assumed they would get a great, high-paying job after graduation. Some loans may be forgiven due to economic hardship. Other loans could be consolidated for a more manageable monthly payment.
Can I Cancel My Student Loan Debt?
There are many names for the process of reducing a portion or all of your student loan debt due to some extenuating circumstances: cancellation, deferment, dischargement, forbearance or forgiveness. There are subtle differences in the details of the processes - Deferment and Forbearance are temporary postponements of your repayment schedule; Cancellation, Dischargement and Forgiveness remove your entire debt permanently.
If you are having problems repaying your loan, then contact the organization servicing the loan before late fees are assessed. You might qualify for deferment or forbearance.
Deferment - This is a temporary suspension of loan payments due to specific reasons, like re-enrollment, unemployment, bankruptcy or economic hardship. Deferment can be made up to three years. If you have a subsidized loan, you don't need to pay interest during deferment. If you have an unsubsidized loan, you do need to pay interest during deferment; unpaid interest will be "capitalized" - added to the principal balance.
Forbearance - This temporary postponement or reduction of payments due to financial difficulty is a possibility for those who don't qualify for deferment. Applications must be made to the loan servicer. Interest continue to accrue on the unpaid principal. The student must repay the full balance. Forbearance is permitted for a period of up to one year with a maximum of 3 years.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 has assisted government employees with student loans by providing forgiveness after 10 years of service. Active duty military can get loan deferment. Some special education, science and mathematics teachers might have their loans forgiven.
What If I Default?
If you are having problems with making payments, contact the company servicing your loan. The process for falling behind in payments is gradual. Usually after graduation, the student has a grace period of six to nine months to initiate repayment.
Public government and private loans might be treated differently when the student defaults. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sections 400 to 498B) governs financial aid, federal loans and defaults.
If you default, the maturity date on each promissory note is accelerated - payment in full is immediately due. This makes a bad situation worse.
Certain government loans have very specific procedures governing default. For example, for a FFEL default to occur, the lender must exercise "due diligence" in attempting to collect the loan by making repeated efforts to locate you and remind you about repayment of the loan. If unsuccessful, then the loan is handed to the State Guarantor Agency. This must occur over a span of 270 days to qualify as default.
"Penalties for Default"
If you default, the U.S. Treasury can confiscate your federal or state tax refund. If your loan is assigned to a private collection agency, then additional collection costs might be added. Administrative wage garnishment could be initiated, which would take 15% of disposable paycheck towards loan repayment. Legal action in State or Federal District Court could also be taken.
A loan default can negatively impact you for a long time. Credit bureaus will be notified, your credit rating will suffer. You will no longer qualify for other government loans - like HUD or VA.
"Loan Rehabilitation Program"
If you appeal to the lender and demonstrate a concerted effort in making amends for your default, you might qualify for the loan rehabilitation program. Requirements for rehabilitation differ based on the loan - the Federal Direct Loan Program requires 9 full payments within 20 days of monthly due dates over a 10-month period. The Perkins Loan Program requires 9 on-time monthly payments. You can repay loans with credit card or automatic withdrawals from your banking account.
Advantages of loan rehabilitation include removal of "default" status with credit bureaus, renewed eligibility for federal loan programs and no more garnishments or IRS tax withholding.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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