BNZ offers no interest loans for poor

No interest loans designed to give low-income Aucklanders an alternative to borrowing from loan sharks are now being made.

It's the second stage of the Community Finance Initiative pilot project financed by BNZ, which started making low interest loans in August last year.

The scheme parallels an Australian scheme funded by BNZ's parent bank, National Australia Bank.

The bank provides the capital and lending smarts for low and no interest loans to poor people, with charities finding the borrowers.

What Car Parts Are The Most Expensive To Replace?

Having a car comes with a great responsibility. You must keep the cur running at optimal parameters, so it will not endanger your life or the life of other traffic participants, when you drive it.  Also, you are responsible for its maintenance and necessary repairs or replacements. In the following blog we will present you a list with the most expensive car parts to replace.  In many cases, replacements are necessary because the parts were damaged or they are too old. It is another safety measure any responsible driver should take.  Another safety measure is to purchase an advantageous life insurance policy. But for that, you must first use auto insurance quotes online and compare prices.

ICICI Bank Q4 profit beats forecast, sees bad loans situation improving

By Devidutta Tripathy

ICICI (IBN.N), which is also traded in New York, on Monday reported net profit rose 10 percent to a record 29.22 billion rupees ($458.9 million) for the three months ended March, ahead of analysts' estimate of 28.65 billion rupees. Its gross bad loans ratio, however, rose to 3.78 percent from 3.4 percent in the third quarter and 3.03 percent a year earlier.MUMBAI (Reuters) - ICICI Bank Ltd (ICBK.NS), India's biggest private sector lender by assets, said it expects the new financial year to be better in terms of bad loans, after reporting an increase in sour assets in its fiscal fourth quarter.

Navient Reports First-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

WILMINGTON, Del., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navient (NAVI) today released first-quarter 2015 financial results that include $830 million of student loan purchases, $300 million of common share repurchases, and the acquisition of a new asset recovery and business process outsourcing firm focused on state and local public sector markets.

"We're pleased to begin our first full year as Navient by helping more recent college graduates successfully transition into repayment," said Jack Remondi, president and CEO, Navient. "Private credit quality also continued to improve, leading to a lower loan loss provision. During the quarter, we continued to make investments to enhance our service to clients and customers, and we continue to deliver on our growth plan by welcoming Gila to our family of top-performing asset recovery firms, adding 600 clients and accelerating our growth in business process outsourcing."

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company Expands into Australia,

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) today announced that it has received its insurance license to provide all lines of General Business in Australia, established operations in Sydney, and named Chris Colahan as President of its Australasia Region.

"BHSI is committed to expanding into geographic markets and lines of business where we can provide financially strong, highly responsive underwriting solutions and market leading service. Our move into Australia reflects this strategy. Under Chris’ leadership, we’ve already built a stellar underwriting, claims, and functional team to serve the needs of the Australian market,” said Peter Eastwood, President of BHSI.

JLT Specialty Insurance Services Inc. Announces Appointment of John McNally as Leader and Senior Vice President of its Transaction Advisory Practice

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

JLT Specialty Insurance Services Inc. (JLT Specialty USA), a U.S. subsidiary of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc. (JLT), one of the world’s leading specialty-focused providers of insurance, reinsurance and employee benefits related advice, brokerage and associated services, is pleased to announce the appointment of John McNally as Leader and Senior Vice President of its Transaction Advisory Practice.

Agency: DOE's green energy loans won't make a profit

It’s official, the Energy Department’s green energy loan program is actually expected to lose money despite media reports that such loans would net the government a profit.

The Government Accountability Office says the DOE’s oft-touted $28 billion loan program will cost taxpayers $2.21 billion over the lifetime of the loans. Not only that, the costs to taxpayers for green loans has risen about $500 million as “the result of loan guarantee defaults” from companies like Solyndra and Abound Solar.

Alternative lenders offer cheaper loans for more of your data

If you're looking for a lower rate loan than what's available through your credit card, you may be able to find one by teaming up with an alternative lender. A growing number of alternative lending startups are offering personal loans with rates as low as 4 percent.

To qualify for one of these lenders' ultra-low rates, though, you may have to share more information about yourself than what's available through your credit report. In many cases, alternative lenders with the most attractive interest rates are asking borrowers to divulge a range of intimate details, including savings and checking account balances, purchase history, college majors, standardized test scores, phone numbers of trusted confidantes and more. 

Better than FICO?

India's banks turn to consumer loans to counter corporate slowdown

* Credit cards make up 0.5 pct of outstanding bank credit

* Kotak, Axis Bank targeting strong growth

* Risks given many Indians lack credit history

By Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI, April 20 (Reuters) - Indian banks, hoping to offset a slow recovery in corporate lending, are pushing into credit cards and personal loans,

using blanket advertising, cold call campaigns and even sending employees to malls to lure customers.

Lending to companies has traditionally been the mainstay for banks in Asia's third-largest economy. But as India emerges from two years of slower economic growth, those loans are sour, large investment projects are stalled and company profits lacklustre.

Saudi insurance sector poised for strong growth

Saudi Arabia’s insurance market is the second-fastest growing in the Gulf Cooperation Council and has good potential for further gains due to its low insurance penetration levels and improved profitability, according to Moody’s Investors Service, Gulfnews.com reported on Sunday.

Results in 2014 showed a rebound with Saudi Arabia’s 37 listed insurance companies reporting an overall combined profit of over 0.7 billion riyal ($0.2bn) in 2014, compared to a loss of over 1.4 billion riyals (Dh1.37bn, $0.38bn) in 2013.

Croatians with Swiss franc loans protest 'debt slavery'

Zagreb (AFP) - Thousands of Croatians with loans denominated in Swiss francs took to the streets of Zagreb Sunday to protest the increased debt burden caused by a surge in the Swiss currency.

Franak, the association of borrowers behind the protest, also called for the resignation of Central Bank governor Boris Vujcic.The police estimated that up to 10,000 p

eople took part in the protest by demonstrators accusing the Croatian government and central bank of failing to protect borrowers.

Swiss franc loans became popular in several central European countries in the 2000s, when interest rates on the currency were low.

Navient Reports First-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

WILMINGTON, Del., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navient (NAVI) today released first-quarter 2015 financial results that include $830 million of student loan purchases, $300 million of common share repurchases, and the acquisition of a new asset recovery and business process outsourcing firm focused on state and local public sector markets.

"We're pleased to begin our first full year as Navient by helping more recent college graduates successfully transition into repayment," said Jack Remondi, president and CEO, Navient. "Private credit quality also continued to improve, leading to a lower loan loss provision. During the quarter, we continued to make investments to enhance our service to clients and customers, and we continue to deliver on our growth plan by welcoming Gila to our family of top-performing asset recovery firms, adding 600 clients and accelerating our growth in business process outsourcing."

Norman-Spencer Adds Auto Dismantler Program

he Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc. has launched a new auto dismantler insurance program through its Northern Star Management transportation division. This national program is designed for professional salvage yards/dismantlers engaged in the sale of used parts to the public. Full package coverage is available and exposures such as towing, transporting and car sales can be accommodated under the program.

The auto dismantlers program is the fifth program available from the Northern Star Management transportation division, which includes specialty haulers, auto transporters, towing and collateral recovery.

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United Way to Receive Donation from Crestbrook Insurance®

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The United Way of DuPage/West Cook County, Illinois has received a $5,000 donation from Crestbrook Insurance Company in honor of the Forest Agency Insurance of Forest Park. The money will support parenting and education for families with young children in the Chicago area.

Crestbrook, an affluent market personal lines carrier from Nationwide Insurance®, offers its appointed independent agents an opportunity to make a difference in their communities with charitable donations through the Partners in Giving program.

The Long-Term Care Insurance Industry Ponders Its Future: Seven Trends To Watch

I recently returned from a few days at the long-term care insurance industry’s national conference, held this year in Colorado Springs. The organizers asked me to participate in a panel discussion on policy solutions to the challenges of financing long-term supports and services. But I also had an opportunity to listen to what insurance company executives, brokers, and actuaries had to say about their industry’s future.

TrustedChoice.com Referrals Generate Over $250,000 in Sales for Local Insurance Agency

Independent insurance industry: taking back market share through exponential growth in new website

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, TrustedChoice.com, an insurance education website specializing in online referrals for independent insurance agencies and their insurance company partners, celebrated their first agency subscriber reaching $250,000 in referred sales.

“The customer was committed to using a Trusted Choice agent before we even spoke on the phone,” said Frank Rodriguez of Sound Business Insurance, Gig Harbor, WA, “The $30,000 account I received today from a TrustedChoice.com referral was just another great account. The largest referral I have closed was $72,000, a trucking company.”

Fremont Insurance Adds Depth to Commercial Lines and Product Development

FREMONT, Mich., April 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fremont Insurance Company is adding additional staff to meet increasing demands for commercial lines products. " With the unprecedented growth Fremont Commercial Lines has experienced, we need to make a significant investment in qualified staff, as well systems and product development capabilities to meet a rapidly evolving commercial market today and into the future," said Steve Monahan, President & CEO. Fremont is strengthening the commercial lines function with the promotion of Debb Koepplinger to Territory Sales Manager as well as hiring Deborah Miller and Jeffrey Cram as Senior Commercial Lines Underwriters. In addition, Fremont is creating a Product Development Unit spearheaded by Tim Keating promoted from his current role of commercial underwriter. Brad Roeber, COO indicated, "Additional staff resources are needed as we develop new specialty commercial products for our growing markets."

Deborah Miller

Deborah Miller is taking over the role of Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter and comes to us with over 23 years of commercial lines experience, with agency sales and management experience. Deborah has completed her CPCU, CIC and CPSR and is a licensed P & C producer.

Jeffrey Cram

Jeffrey Cram joins Fremont Insurance as a Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter and brings a wealth of experience to us as both a commercial lines producer and a commercial underwriter over his 26 year insurance career. Jeffrey has completed his CIC designation, and has been a licensed P & C producer since 1986.

Debb Koepplinger

Debb Koepplinger CISR, CPIA, moves up from Senior Commercial Lines Underwriter to the position of Territory Sales Manager. Debb's commercial underwriting experience as well as her years as a licensed producer adds depth to the Marketing department bench. In her new role, she will be able to apply her underwriting authority and knowledge of Fremont systems in her assigned agents' offices.

Tim Keating

Fremont Insurance has promoted Tim Keating from his role as a Supervisor of Commercial Lines Underwriting into the recently created Product Development Unit. Tim has 18 years of commercial underwriting experience, 14 of which are with Fremont Insurance. Tim will be primarily responsible for the development of new products and enhancements, specialty products and affinity programs while also coordinating pricing reviews.

About Fremont Insurance

Fremont Insurance is an affiliate of the Auto Club Group, servicing the Independent Agents of Michigan. The company has been a Pure Michigan company since 1876. Fremont Insurance is one of the fastest growing and most respected companies operating in Michigan. Fremont was ranked as the top company to do business with for the past four years by the members of the Michigan Association of Independent Agents. For more information about Fremont Insurance you can visit online at www.fmic.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FremontInsuranceCo, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FremontIns.

Contact:

Chad Green
933 East Main Street
Fremont, MI 49412
cgreen@fmic.com

Higher Premium Rates in Personal Auto and Home Insurance Lines

Is a Soft Market Ahead? A Closer Look at P&C Insurance Rates (Part 4 of 7)

(Continued from Part 3)

Personal lines products

Auto insurance and homeowner’s insurance form two important product types of the personal lines business. In the US, such products are offered by insurers like AIG (AIG), Travelers (TRV), Hartford (HIG), and Chubb (CB), as well as other P&C insurers that the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) holds.

Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Digest - March

By Larry Nutson

Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Auto Central Chicago IL, April 5, 2015; Every Sunday, along with senior editors Steve Purdy and Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau I give you our "take" on this past week's automotive news in easy to digest nuggets.

If you are a car nut like we all are here at The Auto Channel, you can easily wish to "catch up" on these stories as well as the past 20 year's 1,833,223 automotive news, automotive stories, articles, reviews, archived news, video, audio, rants and raves just search The Auto Channel's Automotive News Archive.

Hey Boston TV viewers, you can now enjoy The Auto Channel TV Network "Free and Clear" on WHDT Channel 3 in Boston and on your local cable systems, along with South Florida auto fans who can continue to watch The Auto Channel TV Network on WHDT-TV Chanel 9 in West Palm Beach as well as cable channel's 17 and 438, channel 9 Miami and channel 32 Fort Meyers-Naples, enjoy and thanks for the positive feedback....see you next week, LN

Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Digest- March 30-April 5, 2015;

How to buy life insurance

If someone would suffer financially after your death, then you need life insurance.

Let Insurance.com help you find affordable life insurance now.

Your survivors could use the policy's death benefit to pay off debts, cover funeral expenses, pay ongoing bills and meet long-term financial goals like college education for your kids.

Miniter Group Welcomes Tracy Harness to the Miniter Underwriting team

NORWELL, Mass., March 31, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Miniter Group welcomes Tracy Harness to the Miniter's Underwriting Team. Tracy will be responsible for assisting the underwriting team in creating and helping manage new insurance policies and policy renewals.

Tracy has several years of insurance experience including two years as a Senior Underwriter for American Modern Insurance Group underwriting master policies. She also spent time as a supervisor in the insurance industry for client support. Tracy has a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University.

According to Ray Reed, SVP of Underwriting:

Miller chooses insurance over law, builds Brightway into industry giant

By Carole Hawkins, Staff Writer
As a young man, David Miller wanted to make a difference. So, he sold insurance.

It doesn’t sound like a noble choice. But then Miller starts talking about it.

“Insurance products, when done right, save people’s lives,” he said. “You’re protecting people and the things that are their biggest assets.”

It wasn’t enough, either, to simply do a great job of selling insurance. When Miller and his brother, Michael, co-founded Brightway Insurance, they redefined the business model.

Agents represent policies from more than 120 insurance companies.

How much life insurance do you need?

Almost nine in 10 Americans think life insurance is a necessity. But half of U.S. households say they don't have enough life insurance, and 30 percent don't have any coverage at all, according to LIMRA, a global research and consulting group that tracks the life insurance industry.

Let Insurance.com help you find affordable life insurance now.

Certainly some coverage is better than nothing, but how much is enough?

There is no simple formula that can answer that question. Most people purchase life insurance to replace income they would have provided their families, but simply multiplying your income by a certain number doesn't provide a complete estimate for how much your family will need. And if you're a parent, you likely need life insurance even if you don't work outside the home and earn an income. You should have enough coverage in that case to cover the cost of services you provide the family for free, such as child care.

12 ways to save on term life insurance

You're the sole breadwinner whose income keeps your family afloat, a parent with young children, or you're helping your kids pay for college. Regardless of the stage of life you're in, buying life insurance is a way to help cover your family's costs in case of your untimely demise.

Let Insurance.com help you find affordable life insurance now.

Online Auto Insurance Quotes Can Help You Save Hundreds Of Dollars

Auto insurance is a must in most of the countries. There are many companies, which will provide you insurance cover for your vehicle. The important question here is. How to choose the right one?

In this article, we will help you with some of the tips to follow to get the best deal in insurance cover policies and premiums. They are:-

• Cost is not everything –

Technologies That Will Help Drivers Focus Better When Driving

Believe it or not, today’s generation is addicted to technology. They have to stay connected with the technology at every minute of their day. The same habit has given rise to distracted drivers on the road. Keeping the same thing in mind, people came up with inventions that will be helpful for the technology addictive driver as well as for his and others safety.

Insurance companies also support these technologies by offering them insurance for lower premium rates and added benefits. You can getonline auto insurance quotes from many major insurance companies. There are many technologies that help the drivers to be safe and alert, some of these inventions are mentioned and explained below with their working:-

• Smart headlights –

Is your car draining your bank balance?

The road to cutting costs on your car.

Sssssh… Oh no! What’s that leaking sound? It’s your car slowly draining your bank balance. Getting your license and buying your first car is a rite of passage that grants you a wealth of freedom and responsibility. It’s also a time in your life when money becomes real as personal loans, fuel, registration and insurance costs mount up.

Main Reasons Of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a practice where the driver is not fully attentive while driving and is distracted by other activities. Distracted driving has become a major issue these days. Every day more than 9 people are killed because of distracted driving. Majorly these distracted drivers are either teenagers or alcohol or drug addicts.

Basically there are three types of distractions while driving, namely:-

• Manual – this is where the driver takes off his/her hand away from the wheel for some reason.
• Visual – the driver does not paying attention on the road and takes his/her eyes off the road while driving.
• Cognitive – this is where the driver is mentally absent while driving. His/her mind is not focused while driving the car on the road.

Distracted drivers are usually indulged in activities like texting, eating and using their cell phone while driving. Texting is one of the most dangerous activities while driving, as it involves all three types of distractions.

Seriousness of this problem –

The Cheapest Cars To Insure

Car insurance policy differs from one model to another. The automobile insurance offered for the car models manufactured by branded names like Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari, etc, are accompanied with higher premiums. Instead of opting for such costly types of car insurance, you can get your car insured at cheaper rate, by going through the auto insurance quotes online, for all car models.

New Auto Insurance Quotes for Plans Issued In April!

Lowcostcarsinsurance.com announce that it now offers auto insurance quotes for plans issued in April.

'Clients can always find the latest auto insurance quotes online, on a single website,' said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Lowcostcarsinsurance.com has been updated with the latest auto insurance quotes. Clients can now stay updated with the latest news, simple and fast.

CarInsuranceSavings.biz Offers Low Cost Auto Insurance Quotes for April Offers

Carinsurancesavings.biz (http://carinsurancesavings.biz/) announces new car insurance quotes for offers issued this April.

“Car insurance plans can now be purchased at low prices by comparing quotes online.” said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Carinsurancesavings.biz has been updated with the latest auto insurance quotes. These quotes can be accessed by any driver simply by writing the Zip code in the appropriate box.

Save Money By Comparing The Latest Auto Insurance Quotes

Autocarsinsurancetips.com (http://autocarsinsurancetips.com/) now offers the latest car insurance quotes for policies released this month\

“Staying updated with the ;latest auto insurance offers helps drivers save money on vehicle coverage,” said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Autocarsinsurancetips.com has been updated with new car insurance quotes for policies issued in April.