Finding a Local Bank
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Archived Under: Banking Services , Business Ownership , Financial Services , Local Financial Services , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Banking and Credit, Banking Services, Business Ownership, FDIC, Financial Services, Local Banking Services, Moneysmartz Editor, The Moneysherpa Pages
For many of us, finding a local bank consists of locating nearby branches, surfing banking websites, and maybe visiting bank branch offices. For businesses, the task may be more complicated, based on existing relationships or referrals.
In the case of both business and personal banking, we often neglect researching bank assets, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) certification, and the number of branches in our locale.
To answer all of these questions, and more, The FDIC offers a directory of FDIC certified institutions, with information about total assets, specialized categories, and branch offices. For personal and business banking, this resource is particularly helpful if you are looking at a smaller regional bank and have concerns about long-term solvency, the number of branch offices, or certification. At the minimum, the FDIC directory is worth a few minutes before beginning what may be a very long-term relationship.
For a list of primarily national banks, visit the Banking Services category in the Moneysmartz Directory.
Credit Card Company Websites
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Archived Under: Banking Services , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Banking and Credit, Banking Services, Credit Cards, Moneysmartz Editor, The Moneysherpa Pages
How many credit card offers do you receive in the mail? By now, you are probably numb to the message and only consider switching credit cards or adding a new one based on an event like a hefty renewal fee or nasty interaction with a credit card issuer's automated phone system.
For those considering a switch, a study by Keynote Systems ranks credit card company websites in areas like ease of use, service, privacy, and security.
We've included the two leaders from the Keynote study, Chase and Bank of America, as picks in the Credit Card Issuers category in the Moneysmartz Directory. We particularly like Chase for its high customer service rating.
The Curious Capitalist
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Archived Under: Economics , Financial Blogs , Investing , New and Notable
Tags: Financial Blogs, Investing Blogs, New and Notable
Site Name: The Curious Capitalist
Blog Description: A new blog from Fortune.com with economic reflections, stock market insights, and a new view of the unusual workings of the corporate world from Fortune editor at large Justin Fox.
Personal Finance Category: Economic Blogs
Born on Date: September 20, 2006
Blog Author Profile: Fortune Editor-at-large Justin Fox covers economic, international business, and finance topics, including leading the magazine's economic coverage. Prior to his current position, Justin was Fortune's European editor and worked in the trenches as a staff writer for the American Banker and the Birmingham News.
Bottom Line: The Curious Capitalist offers the big picture on the economy and a unique take on corporate trends helping stock pickers and market observers get an edge.
Net Worth IQ
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Archived Under: Financial Planning , Net Worth , New and Notable
Tags: Financial Planning, Net Worth, Net Worth IQ, New and Notable
Site Name: Net Worth IQ
Description: The foundation of a solid financial plan usually begins with an understanding of where you are. Net Worth IQ offers tools to help you track, share, and compare your net worth. Net Worth IQ calls their site a social personal finance tool. Another way of saying you can post your public profile, link to your blog, and compare your performance by category.
Features: The foundation of Net Worth IQ is a simple to use net worth profile consisting of basic asset and liability information. Once this process is completed, you can generate code, through a Net Worth IQ Badge, allowing you to display your net worth on your blog. Since many personal finance blogs are anonymous, the badge option makes it easy to show the world your financial progress. If you are not into Web 2.0 social networking, then you can choose a private profile for your eyes only.
Bottom Line: If you already use tools like Quicken or Microsoft Money, then Net Worth IQ may be overkill. However, for the rest of us, Net Worth IQ is easy to use and a painless starting point in the financial planning process. For the hyper-competitive, the comparison tools offer a way to compare your financial position across a wide-array of categories, including age, income, and profession.
Zopa
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Archived Under: Mortgages and Loans , New and Notable
Tags: Banking and Credit, Loans, New and Notable, Peer to Peer Lending, Zopa
Site Name: Zopa
Description: Removing intermediaries from transactions often benefits consumers. In the case of Zopa, banks are removed from the lending process to facilitate peer-to-peer lending resulting in lower transaction costs and potentially lower rates for borrowers and higher returns for lenders. Zopa introduced person-to-person lending in Europe 18 months ago and plans to launch in the United States soon. Once Zopa starts in America, interested borrowers and lenders should visit Zopa online and register as either a borrower or lender. According to Business 2.0, the average rate on a Zopa loan is 7%, beating CD returns for lenders and credit card or bank loan rates for borrowers.
Features: In addition to lending and borrowing facilitation, Zopa's site features a blog and discussion board.
Profile of Site Founders: Started by many of Egg's founders, Zopa's founders have experience in personal finance, banking, and risk management.
Bottom Line: After 18 months in the United Kingdom, Zopa is ready to conquer America. With over 90,000 members already, Zopa offers individual lenders and borrowers a convenient way to cut expenses and boost returns.
Peer-to-Peer Stock Picking
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Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Clearstation, Forbes, Investing, Marketocracy, Moneysmartz Editor, SocialPicks, Stock Picking Communities, The Moneysherpa Pages, Value Forum, Value Investors Club
The October 2, 2006 issue of Forbes offers a list of peer-to-peer stock picking websites. These sites provide tips, insights, and virtual portfolios. A site on the list, Marketocracy, even pays stellar performers asset management fees. Online investment communities offer a forum to exchange ideas, an additional venue to conduct research, and even a way to compare your stock picking ability with others.
- ClearStation - Free online investment community powered by Etrade.
- Marketocracy - Stock picking community, mutual fund, and research. Free basic membership and fee to access leading performer picks.
- SocialPicks - Called the MySpace for investors by Forbes. Community for stock market investors to share investment ideas, exchange market research, and track peers' investment performance.
- ValueForum.com - Investment discussion community for value investors focusing on more exotic investments including REITs and commodities. Membership fee required to access most services.
- Value Investors Club - An exclusive online investment club where top investors share their best ideas. Must complete an application to join.
Goog Swoon and Portfolio Rebalancing
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Archived Under: Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Investing, Moneysmartz Editor, Portfolio Rebalancing, The Moneysherpa Pages
This morning's sharp drop in shares of Google (GOOG) provides a reminder to pay attention to regular portfolio rebalancing. The experts say regular portfolio rebalancing aligns investment portfolio mix (stocks, bonds, and cash) with investment plans. When things get out of whack, like when an investment appreciates or declines rapidly, then the mix should be revisited. For a primer on portfolio rebalancing, visit About Stocks or Efficient Frontier.
Real Estate Bubble Blogs Revisited
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Archived Under: Directory Updates , Financial Blogs , Real Estate
Tags: Financial Blogs, Real Estate, Real Estate Bubble Blogs
Today, Bloomberg.com reported that weakness in the housing market may result in the first median price home price decline since the Great Depression. Scary stuff. However, for many real estate bubble bloggers, the Bloomberg report is old news. If you are worried about the housing market, particularly in your neighborhood, then the recently updated Moneysmartz Housing Bubble Blog category may provide the information you need. The category contains regional blogs, including Pigginton's Econo-Almanac, focusing on the Southern California real estate market and Seattle Bubble, chronicling where else, the Seattle market. Patrick.net, a Moneysmartz Pick, offers both national and regional coverage.
Free Retirement Advice, Really (But for only two days)
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Archived Under: Financial Planning , Moneysmartz Editor , Retirement Planning , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Financial Planning, Kiplingers, Moneysmartz Editor, NAPFA, Retirement Planning, The Moneysherpa Pages
Kiplinger's and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) are sponsoring Kiplinger's Jump-Start Your Retirement Plan Days. On Thursday, September 21, and Friday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time, NAPFA members will be waiting to help with your retirement and financial-planning questions. What's the catch? There's just one, you'll need to dial 888-919-2345. The call and consultation are free.
Google and Quickbooks 2007 Align
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Archived Under: Business Ownership , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Business Ownership, Google, Moneysmartz Editor, Quickbooks, The Moneysherpa Pages
Today Intuit said it would be incorporating many of Google's most popular services for small business, including Google Adwords, Google Base, and Google Maps, into the 2007 version of QuickBooks accounting software. This partnership should be most helpful for small businesses looking to easily set-up and manage online marketing campaigns using Google Adwords, small businesses selling products using Google Base, and small businesses marketing locally using Google Maps.
Kiplinger's Must-Read Investing Bloggers
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Archived Under: Financial Blogs , Investing , Moneysmartz Editor , The Moneysherpa Pages
Tags: Financial Blogs, Investing, Investing Blogs, Kiplinger's, Kiplingers, Moneysmartz Editor, The Moneysherpa Pages
The October 2006 issue of Kiplinger's offers a list of must-read investing blogs, including nine blogs featured in Moneysmartz. Investing blogs appear to have some staying power as most of the blogs in previous Moneysmartz Directory updates, including Investing Blogs, Economics Blogs, Financial Podcasts, and Personal Finance Blogs are still actively posting. The Kiplinger list offers blogs for the hard-core number cruncher, including the 10Q Detective and one of our favorites, Footnoted.org, and a wide-range of blogs covering economics, personal finance, and mutual funds. Blogs continue to move toward the mainstream, as a blog in the Kiplinger list, Seeking Alpha, now provides content to Yahoo! Finance. From the perspective of financial decision-making, many investment blogs provide fresh insights directly from investment professionals. However, anyone can start a blog and begin offering advice, so as always, it's important to consider the source before devoting a lot of time to a blog.
- The Buffett Blog - Dedicated to studying the Oracle of Omaha while celebrating the Muse from Margaritaville. Maintained by the Buffett Group at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
- Consumerism Commentary - A blog about personal finance.
- Controlled Greed - Undervalued stock investing.
- Cramerwatch.org - Dedicated to holding Jim Cramer accountable.
- Dear Economist - Answers Financial Times reader problems with the tools of Adam Smith.
- Footnoted.org - Uncovering the story behind financial statements.
- Freeakonomics - A rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything.
- Fund Alarm - Helping investors decide when to sell mutual funds.
- The Kirk Report - Independent and award-winning stock picks and investment advice.
- Mad Money Machine - Podcast that reviews the Mad Money recommendations of Jim Cramer.
- PFBlogs.com - Aggregates feeds from many of the top personal financial webloggers.
- Random Roger's Big Picture - Stock market blog about portfolio management, navigating the current market environment, how to analyze and choose foreign stocks, exchange traded funds, and options.
- Seeking Alpha - Dashboard for network of stock market and personal finance blogs.
- Stockblogs.com - Stock market blog directory.
- 10Q Detective - Investors often overlook SEC filings, and it is the job of the 10Q Detective to dig through businesses 8-K and 10-Q SEC filings, looking for financial statement soft spots, such as depreciation policies, warranty reserves, and restructuring charges.
- Thoughts From The Frontline - Investment insight and commentary.