Orchard Bank Credit Card

In today's world of electronic cash transfers, automated teller machines, and credit cards, the image of the musty, junk-laden pawnshop seems a relic of the past. But it is not. The 1980s witnessed a tremendous boom in pawnbroking. There are now more pawnshops than ever before in U.S. history, and they are found not only in large cities but in towns and suburbs throughout the nation. As John Caskey demonstrates in Fringe Banking, the increased public patronage of both pawnshops and commercial check-cashing outlets signals the growing number of American households now living on a cash-only basis, with no connection to any mainstream credit facilities or banking services. Fringe Banking is the first comprehensive study of pawnshops and check-cashing outlets. It profiles their operations, their customers, and their recent growth from small family-owned shops to such successful outlet chains as Cash America and ACE America's Cash Express. Further, it explains why, in spite of interest rates and fees that are substantially higher than those of banks, their use has so dramatically increased. According to Caskey, declining family earnings, changing family structures, a growing immigrant population, and lack of household budgeting skills greatly reduced the demand for bank deposit services among millions of Americans. In addition, banks responded to 1980s regulatory changes by increasing fees on deposit accounts with small balances and closing branches in numerous poor urban areas. These factors combined to leave many low- and moderate-income families without access to checking privileges, credit services, and bank loans. Pawnshops and check-cashing outlets provide such families with essentialfinancial services they cannot obtain elsewhere, and often meet additional needs by selling money orders, arranging wire transfers of funds, and handling utilities payments.

50 Ways to Protect Your Identity and Your CreditEverything You Need to Know About Identity Theft, Credit Cards, Credit Repair, and Credit Reports "The author substitutes straight talk for legal mumbo-jumbo in 50 Ways to Protect Your Identity and Your Credit. Reading this book is like getting a black belt in consumer self-defense."--Jim Bohannon, host of "The Jim Bohannon Show "Identity theft is among the fastest-growing problems facing Americans today. This book will help you learn all you need to know to protect your lives, money, and security. Consider it your first stop in your quest for knowledge and guidance to prevent ID theft." --Robert Powell, Editor of CBS "MarketWatch "As one who has lived through some of the nightmare scenarios discussed by the author, "Detecting and stopping identity thieves is imperative to protecting your finances and financial reputation. Steve Weisman shows you how to protect yourself and what steps to take if you are victimized. This is a must-read for anyone with a bank account and a credit card!"--Bonnie Bleidt, Boston Stock Exchange Reporter, CBS4 Boston, Host of "Early Exchange, WBIX Don?t be a victim! Save your identity, save your credit--and save a fortune! 10,000,000 Americans had their identities stolen last year--don?t be the next! Discover easy steps you can take now to reduce your vulnerability. Recognize "phishing" and other identityscams--online and off. Learn what you must do immediately if you?ve been attacked. Defend yourself against credit rip-offs, and stop paying more than you have to! It?s all here: simple rules, handy checklists, even easy-to-use form letters!(c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.