The Justice Department recently filed discrimination charges against Wells Fargo Bank, saying they steered African-American and Hispanic borrowers towards subprime mortgages or other mortgages with higher fees than white borrowers with similar credit scores. Wells Fargo agreed to pay $175 million to compensate borrowers who were wrongly forced into more expensive mortgages. The claims are violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act.
Unfair lending was identified in 82 geographic markets, in 36 different states. In Miami, approximately 4,100 borrowers were victims of higher borrowing costs between 2004 and 2008. In July, Wells Fargo announced it would stop doing business with independent mortgage brokers through its wholesale channel. From the payout $125 million will compensate consumers who were affected by the practices. The Justice Department said Miami would receive approximately $10 million. The remaining $50 million will assist homebuyers with down payments in various cities.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/12/2893222/wells-fargo-pays-175-million-to.html
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Credit
$25 Billion Settlement with Banks Provides Payout to 167,398 Floridians
Attorney General, Pam Bondi announced last week that 167,398 Floridians will be receiving applications in the mail for a payout after losing their homes to foreclosure between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. The payout is a result of the $25 billion mortgage foreclosure settlement between 49 states and the five largest lenders in the U.S. Among the many agreements within the settlement, approximately $1.5 billion will go to two million Americans who lost their homes as a result of fraudulent foreclosure practices by lenders.
Borrowers have until January 18, 2013 to send in their applications for the payout. Applying for the payout is easy for those who are eligible. Borrowers simply have to sign the forms mailed to them and submit them by the January 18th deadline date. Borrowers are not required to prove any other financial hardship or give up any lawsuit rights in the future. Florida will be sending out applications until October 12, 2012.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.loansafe.org/florida-ag-pam-bondi-makes-announcement-that-victims-of-foreclosure-may-be-eligible-for-payment
For more information about eligibility visit: www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Homeownership Rate at Nearly a 50-Year Low
During the second quarter of 2012, the Census Bureau showed homeownership rates declined to 65 percent, the lowest since 1965. Rates reached a peak of 69 percent during the boom of the housing market in 2005-2006. The ‘real rate’ subtracts homeowners who will soon face foreclosure due to delinquent mortgage payments.
The ‘real rates’ display a more accurate image of the financial stance of the housing market, considering how many foreclosure proceedings are backed up in the court system. The adjusted figures only go back to 1991 due to lack of tracking delinquencies and foreclosures before this time. Since there have been no major declines in the housing market before 1991, Sean Fergus of John Burns Real Estate Consulting said he believes the pattern is also accurate of ‘real rates.’
To view a chart displaying the information and read more on this story visit: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-29/real-homeownership-rate-at-nearly-50-year-low#r=lr-fst
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Errors on Consumers Credit Reports- More Common than You Think
Consumers are struggling to keep their credit scores up in this economy, and it appears the credit reporting agencies are not making it any easier. The three major credit agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion produce billions of credit reports per year and of this mass amount of reports, an estimated 25 percent contain errors. The errors can be as minor as an incorrect name or birth date.
Consumers are filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, but changes to the system are slow to come. The complaints are citing a breach of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The large amount of errors on consumers’ credit reports is especially troubling, as these are not only accessed by companies issuing credit cards, but also by banks, employers, insurers and many others.
The credit agencies reportedly hired a number of foreign workers to produce credit reports and pay them as little as $0.57 per hour. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been made aware of this issue and is expected to take major steps in addressing the problem sometime this month. It is likely that lawsuits will be filed against some of the credit agencies due to this problem. Consumers are urged to keep a close eye on their credit reports and to report any errors to the Federal Trade Commission.
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
8 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score after Bankruptcy
Thoroughly examine your credit score post bankruptcy. You want to make sure that creditors know the debt that you were relieved of has been wiped clean from your credit report. The items should have a “BK” notation next to them to show you were relieved of them.
2. Re-examine your credit score several times, because even after your debts are discharged, it may take some time for this to reflect on your credit report.
3. Create a strict budget for yourself. Review your finances several times per week to ensure you are sticking to your budget.
4. Do not avoid applying for new credit; in fact, responsible credit spending is a great way to begin building up your credit score.
5. Set up automatic payments for your cable, Internet and phone bills, so you do not miss your payment due date. Again, watch your finances closely so that you know when money will be coming out of your account.
6. Student loan payments are a top priority. Student loans are not discharged after filing for bankruptcy and paying these timely can be an excellent way to improve your credit score.
7. Pre-paid credit cards can be a great way to improve your credit score if you are having trouble getting approved for a non-secure credit card. Be very cautious of companies that have high annual charges.
8. Defaulted loans are not the only item that impacts your credit score. Having your credit cards to the max will have a negative effect on your score in the same way. Bottom line: Never max out your credit cards.
To read more on this story visit: http://articles.marketwatch.com/2010-08-26/finance/30762498_1_credit-report-filings-credit-rating/2
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
New Credit Scoring System, ‘The Extended View’ Released to Aid the Poorest of Consumers
“The Extended View” launched by Experian is a new credit scoring system that has the potential to bring as many as 64 million Americans without a credit score, back into the lending fold. The new system will help the poorest of consumers, taking into account the traditional credit scoring system. The Extended View will look at factors such as rental payment history, payday loan repayment history, missed child support payments, financial histories and public records. The scale will be similar to the one used by VantageScore which ranges from 401 – 900.
The president of Experian Consumer Information Services reported that approximately 15 lenders, both large and small were already considering using The Extended View scoring system. The lenders range anywhere from banks and auto lenders- to telephone and utility providers. Studies show that the number of ‘underbanked’ Americans will grow in the coming years, which is most likely the reason lenders are considering the new system. The system will allow a lender to request an “Extended View” score if the consumer has no traditional credit score.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/experian-new-credit-score-extended-view_n_1596943.html
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com
BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY TIMOTHY S. KINGCADE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ‘AV PREEMINENT’ RATING FROM MARTINDALE-HUBBELL
MIAMI – Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. (www.miamibankruptcy.com) is pleased to announce that Managing Shareholder, Timothy S. Kingcade recently received an AV rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell. An AV rating is the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards an attorney can receive.
“I am honored to have received the AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell,” said Timothy S. Kingcade. “This is a testament to the commitment that I make to each and every one of my clients and the ethical standards we uphold as a law firm. It is gratifying to know that my colleagues respect and acknowledge my legal abilities and the continued dedication to my clients.”
The AV rating attained by Timothy is the preeminent rating, achievable only after admission to the bar for at least ten years, indicating the highest level of legal ability and ethics. This rating indicates that an attorney’s colleagues and the judiciary perceive him to be at the pinnacle of professional success. LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell conducts peer review ratings throughout the country in an effort to identify lawyers with the highest legal ability and ethical standards.
The General Ethical Standards rating denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence. The Legal Ability ratings are based on performance in five key areas, which include: Legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability and legal experience.
Attorney Kingcade practices exclusively in the field of bankruptcy law, handling Chapter 7 filings and foreclosure defense cases for the Southern District of Florida. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy attorney, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws, which protect them and achieve desired results.
Miami-based Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. was established by managing partner and bankruptcy attorney, Timothy Kingcade in 1996. The firm represents clients throughout Florida in Chapter 7 bankruptcy and foreclosure defense cases. The firm is committed to providing personalized service to each and every client, clearly explaining the options according to the unique circumstances of his or her life. The office environment and the service provided are centered on a culture of superior client care. All partners and associates at Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. specialize in consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure and have dedicated their practices to this area of the law. Additionally, all attorneys and staff members at the firm are bilingual speaking Spanish.
Whistleblower Lynn Szymoniak’s Bank Unsure of Payoff Figure
Lynn Szymoniak is most well known for her investigative work in the $95 million settlement between the major banks and the government for fraudulent acts in foreclosure proceedings. The government recently awarded Szymoniak $18 million for her help in the case. Szymoniak planned to use her portion of the settlement to pay off her own mortgage and fund non-profit organizations for foreclosure victims. However, when Szymoniak went to her bank to find out the outstanding amount of her loan, American Home Mortgage Servicing and Deutsche Bank were unable to answer her questions.
After receiving the runaround for two months, Szymoniak decided to file a pleading with the court. The judge ordered the bank to give her the total amount within seven days. The bank’s attorneys asked for a five-day extension but when they came back to her with an amount of $1.4 million, Szymoniak said this was approximately $250,000 more than the bank’s attorneys told her in February of this year that she would owe.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/08/home-mortgage-raised-foreclosure-banks_n_1582047.html
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com
Bank of America Settles with the SEC for Lying to Shareholders
Bank of America announced its plan to merge with Merrill Lynch in 2008, admitting that there would be a small loss in the beginning. As the deal was closer to becoming official, 
Merrill Lynch was taking major profit hits as high as $7.5 billion in one month. After internal emails were disclosed, it revealed that Bank of America executives knew of these outrageous profit losses and downplayed them to its shareholders. At one point, Bank of America ordered Merrill Lynch to sell off assets to compensate for the profit losses, knowing that this would decrease the value to its shareholders.
Four days later, shareholders met and approved the merger. At the meeting, the CEO at the time, Kenneth Lewis knowingly made inaccurate statements to persuade the shareholders to approve the merger with Merrill Lynch. Just days after the approval, Bank of America’s attorneys prepared documents to back out of the merger due to “new financial woes.” After shareholders learned of the financial crises going on at Merrill Lynch, stock in Bank of America dropped at excessive rates. The bank did not claim wrongdoing but settled with the SEC for $150 million.
To read more on this story visit: http://stopforeclosurefraud.com/2012/06/04/how-bank-of-america-execs-hid-losses-in-their-own-words/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ForeclosureFraudByDinsfla+%28FORECLOSURE+FRAUD+%7C+by+DinSFLA%29
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com
South Florida Ranks Number One in Credit Card Delinquencies
CredAbility, a non-profit credit counseling agency, conducted a study of 25 metro areas in the United States to determine the financial standings of major cities across the country. According to the study, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties ranked highest in overall consumer credit card delinquencies. South Florida also ranked fourth of the 25 metro areas with the highest number of bankruptcy filings during the first quarter of 2012.
Much of the credit problems in South Florida can be attributed to lenders handing out credit cards to freely during the recession. Many South Floridians used their credit cards as spending money as they suffered pay cuts and job losses. Over time lenders began taking steps to hold borrowers to higher standards and not lending out money as freely as before. The financial problems for many South Floridians are not expected to ease up until the job market becomes more secure, which could take a couple more years.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-worst-credit-rating-20120515,0,2146740.story?track=rss
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.