Your FICO credit score is made up of five factors of varying importance. The weighted importance of the categories are averages. For some people certain categories may count more heavily. ...more

November 9, 2008

As world financial markets continue to roil, credit card users may see higher fees, higher interest rates and lower credit limits. Credit card companies are raising rates as high and often as possible in response to the credit crisis, credit counselor Harold Stephenson says. ...more

October 16, 2008

The source of trouble in the mortgage market has shifted from subprime loans made to borrowers with bad credit to homeowners who had solid credit but took out exotic loans with ballooning monthly payments. ...more

September 7, 2008

The source of trouble in the mortgage market has shifted from subprime loans made to borrowers with bad credit to homeowners who had solid credit but took out exotic loans with ballooning monthly payments. ...more

September 6, 2008

The economy has defied persistent predictions that it would run out of gas, but everyday working folks are feeling a financial squeeze they can only define as hard times. ...more

June 15, 2008

More Pressing Problems Regarding "Stadium Proposal Takes 1st Step Toward Ballot" (Metro, June 6): ...more

June 12, 2008

AVON PARK - If you've been putting off your water bill, you'll literally pay for the delay after the city council voted 3-2 to start charging late fees. Water customers who do not pay by 2 p.m. on the bill's due date will have to pay five percent of the overdue amount, or $1, whichever is greater. ...more

June 9, 2008

Home foreclosures and late payments set records over the first three months of the year and are expected to keep rising, stark signs of the housing crisis' mounting damage to homeowners and the economy. ...more

June 6, 2008

The credit crunch has driven dozens of lenders out of the student loan market. But a number of new Web sites are trying to sidestep the traditional players, facilitating loans between students and anonymous investors or even friends and family members. ...more

June 4, 2008

Telephone companies have cut off FBI wiretaps used to eavesdrop on suspected criminals because of the bureau's repeated failures to pay phone bills on time. ...more

January 11, 2008