| Webster Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter 2007 Earnings Information ...
As of year end 2007, Webster has discontinued all national wholesale mortgage banking activities and, as a result, is closing its wholesale lending offices in Seattle, Washington; Phoenix, Arizona; Cheshire, Connecticut; and Chicago, Illinois. As a result, the company recorded severance and other costs of $3.5 million (pre tax) in the fourth quarter of 2007, primarily for lease terminations and outplacement. Webster's remaining mortgage operations in Cheshire, CT will now focus solely on direct to consumer retail originations. Additionally, the company's home equity lending will be solely direct to consumer originations as Webster strives to build more multi-product relationships with customers in its core franchise. As previously announced, Webster has been exploring strategic alternatives for its insurance operations.
Secured homeowner loans – An added advantage
Taking a loan against your home is a traditional and time-tested way of borrowing money. This is the only way that allows you to borrow large amount of money. Otherwise, lenders do not sanction a large amount. The equity that your home holds in the market is taken into consideration before sanctioning any loan. The maximum loan to equity ratio is usually 100 per cent. It means that if your home has a value of £250,000, you may get a loan of an equal amount. In the prevailing circumstances in the UK financial markets, lenders have been badly affected by the global credit crunch. Their cost of borrowing has increased and, therefore, the lending rates are also going in the upward direction. Many lenders have even withdrawn unsecured personal loans from the market. However, if you have a good credit history, you can easily get better interest rates on secured homeowner loans.
Banks See Spike In Refinancing Applications
MADISON, Wis. -- Refinancing applications have surged 17 percent after interest rates dropped three-quarters of a point in the past week -- and they could go lower. VIDEO: Watch The Report But financial experts said it is important to know when it's best to refinance and if the type of loan a consumer has is even affected by this week's federal rate cut. Don Bertucci, AnchorBank's senior vice president of residential lending, said the last few days have been hectic. He said the phones have been ringing and the online applications have been coming in, all in response to this week's rate cut by the federal reserve. So, what does the 0.75 percent rate cut mean for residents? "It would affect mostly second mortgages or home equity lines of credit, where the rate is adjustable," Bertucci said.
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