Search by Keyword
All terms starting with "B"
A credit score below 620. If you aren't sure of y … moreA credit score below 620. If you aren't sure of your credit score, you can use a Free Credit Check in order to get an approximation or simply consider whether ANY of these statements are true:
- I'm currently late on a payment (i.e. loan, medical bill or credit card)
- I've either defaulted on a loan or credit card or declared bankruptcy within the last three years
- I've missed a credit card, medical bill, or loan payment by more than 90 days during the last 12 months
The amount owed for account activity: purchases, b … moreThe amount owed for account activity: purchases, balance transfers, cash advances, fees, interest, and transaction charges.
The balance displayed here is based on the value y … moreThe balance displayed here is based on the value you provided in DATE_PROVIDED (BALANCE_PROVIDED), adjusted for interest earnings and monthly contributions.
Please update your account balance if the figure displayed is not accurate. By keeping your information up to date, you help us provide you with the most accurate WalletScore.
Please update your account balance if the figure displayed is not accurate. By keeping your information up to date, you help us provide you with the most accurate WalletScore.
The balance displayed here is based on the value y … moreThe balance displayed here is based on the value you provided in DATE_PROVIDED (BALANCE_PROVIDED), adjusted for interest earnings and monthly contributions.
Please update your account balance if the figure displayed is not accurate. By keeping your information up to date, you help us provide you with the most accurate WalletScore.
Please update your account balance if the figure displayed is not accurate. By keeping your information up to date, you help us provide you with the most accurate WalletScore.
Moving the balance from one of your credit cards t … moreMoving the balance from one of your credit cards to a different credit card.
On all credit cards you can always transfer a balance away from them (i.e. to another credit card). However, not all credit cards allow you to transfer a balance into them.
On all credit cards you can always transfer a balance away from them (i.e. to another credit card). However, not all credit cards allow you to transfer a balance into them.
A fee that might be charged when you transfer a cr … moreA fee that might be charged when you transfer a credit card balance from 'Credit Card A' to 'Credit Card B'.
This fee is charged by the credit card that receives your transferred balance (i.e. 'Credit Card B,' in this example). There is never a fee charged by 'Credit Card A.'
This fee is charged by the credit card that receives your transferred balance (i.e. 'Credit Card B,' in this example). There is never a fee charged by 'Credit Card A.'
The ratio of credit spent to total available credi … moreThe ratio of credit spent to total available credit. If you have a little debt and a lot of available credit, your balance-to-ratio limit is low, which is good for your credit score.
For example, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 credit limit and your balance on that credit card at the end of your billing period is $500 then your balance-to-limit ratio will be 50%.
For example, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 credit limit and your balance on that credit card at the end of your billing period is $500 then your balance-to-limit ratio will be 50%.
Bank:
A financial institution that offers lending and sa … moreA financial institution that offers lending and savings services, and might also branch out into credit cards. Unlike credit unions, banks are businesses (often with responsibilities to shareholders) that exist to turn a profit. In general, they make money by lending the funds that consumers place in deposit accounts (e.g. checking accounts and savings accounts) to other consumers in the form of mortgages, auto loans, etc., for which they charge a higher rate of interest than they pay out on the original deposits.
Banks vary considerably in size and many no longer even have physical locations, operating strictly online. Money that is deposited into a bank account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per accountholder per bank.
Banks vary considerably in size and many no longer even have physical locations, operating strictly online. Money that is deposited into a bank account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per accountholder per bank.
When you have a bank account, you can use it to ma … moreWhen you have a bank account, you can use it to make deposits, pay for transactions, acquire loans, or a combination of the three. Often a bank account will be tied to a bank card, a debit or credit card that allows authorized users to make transactions at merchants and/or Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
Often a bank account will be tied to a bank card, … moreOften a bank account will be tied to a bank card, which is a debit or credit card that allows authorized users to make transactions at merchants and/or Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
A corporation or other legal entity that owns or o … moreA corporation or other legal entity that owns or operates one or more commercial banks. Bank holding companies are regulated by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and must adhere to all U.S. banking regulations.
Former term for "Issuer Identification Number."
Bankruptcy is the process wherein consumers or bus … moreBankruptcy is the process wherein consumers or businesses seek legal assistance when they cannot pay their bills. Some types of bankruptcies wipe debt clean; other types of bankruptcy restructure the amount of debt, which is then repaid under the supervision of the bankruptcy court.
Title 11 of the United States Code governs bankrup … moreTitle 11 of the United States Code governs bankruptcy proceedings.
One of 94 federal judicial districts that handles … moreOne of 94 federal judicial districts that handles bankruptcy matters. Bankruptcy cases are filed in the bankruptcy court, not state court. Bankruptcy courts follow the Bankruptcy Code for all bankruptcy proceedings.
In bankruptcy, the estate is comprised of all lega … moreIn bankruptcy, the estate is comprised of all legal and equitable interests held by the debtor at the beginning of the bankruptcy case.
One one-hundredth of a percentage point. The diffe … moreOne one-hundredth of a percentage point. The difference between 15.04 percent and 15.05 percent is one basis point.
The merchant's review of a day's credit card sales … moreThe merchant's review of a day's credit card sales. First the merchant makes sure that all transactions were authorized and that the card holder's signature is attached. Then the merchant transmits the day's sales all at once, in a "batch", to the credit card company in order to get paid for the goods and services sold.
A gradual decline in stock prices, reflecting a tr … moreA gradual decline in stock prices, reflecting a transition from investor optimism to concern. It is largely a subjective designation, but most agree that a 20% decline in a stock market's value over at least a two-month period qualifies as a bear market.
Bill:
The bill you receive each billing cycle, also call … moreThe bill you receive each billing cycle, also called a "monthly statement". The monthly statement accounts for all transactions made during the billing cycle, and the backside of the statement usually describes some of the basic terms of your credit card agreement. Also detailed on the monthly statement are purchases, payment(s), credit limit, available credit and finance charges.
Some bank accounts and other financial products, l … moreSome bank accounts and other financial products, like prepaid cards, offer a feature known as Bill Pay, which is an easy and secure method to pay everyday bills online. Some banks/card issuers have bill pay systems that are linked only to a select number of major service providers (e.g. utility and telecom companies), while others offer a more comprehensive type of bill pay, which allows you to literally pay anyone, including both individuals and companies.
Bill pay is often a free account feature, but it some cases it will only be available for a monthly or per transaction fee.
Bill pay is often a free account feature, but it some cases it will only be available for a monthly or per transaction fee.
A method of receiving, viewing, and paying your bi … moreA method of receiving, viewing, and paying your bill online. Money is transferred from the account you designate to your credit-card account.
The number of days between statement dates: usuall … moreThe number of days between statement dates: usually 28 to 31 days, or about a month.
A monthly statement of all account transactions. A … moreA monthly statement of all account transactions. Also called a bill or a monthly statement
A block is a reserve placed on a consumer's credit … moreA block is a reserve placed on a consumer's credit limit or debit balance to cover the final, as-yet-unknown amount of a transaction. Blocks are likely to occur when you use your card at gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or other locations where the total transaction amount can vary due to tips, tabs, and the size of your gas tank. Blocks may be lifted within minutes, hours, or days.
Refers to a vehicle's worth, as stated by the Kell … moreRefers to a vehicle's worth, as stated by the Kelley Blue Book, a widely-used reference guide that lists prices and values for new and used vehicles of all makes, models, and years. While people generally refer to Blue Book value when discussing car prices, it also contains information about motorcycles, RVs, personal watercraft, and snowmobiles.
For new vehicles, the Kelley Blue Book lists the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), dealer sale price, and what other buyers paid (if you are accessing the information online). For used vehicles, it provides retail value, trade-in value, and private party value.
Private sellers often reference a car's Blue Book value in order to establish a fair sales price, and insurance companies use it to determine whether the car is worth fixing or should be declared a total loss.
For new vehicles, the Kelley Blue Book lists the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), dealer sale price, and what other buyers paid (if you are accessing the information online). For used vehicles, it provides retail value, trade-in value, and private party value.
Private sellers often reference a car's Blue Book value in order to establish a fair sales price, and insurance companies use it to determine whether the car is worth fixing or should be declared a total loss.
Insurance that covers another person's injuries in … moreInsurance that covers another person's injuries in a car accident when you are at fault.
This coverage is one aspect of auto liability insurance, and it covers medical expenses, legal fees, loss of income, pain and suffering, and funeral costs.
Learn more about bodily injury liability coverage.
This coverage is one aspect of auto liability insurance, and it covers medical expenses, legal fees, loss of income, pain and suffering, and funeral costs.
Learn more about bodily injury liability coverage.
Bond:
A type of investment that involves an investor loa … moreA type of investment that involves an investor loaning money to a company or government entity at a specified interest rate and for a defined period of time. Bond interest rates are based on the credit standing of the issuer and the time until maturity (i.e. when repayment must be made).
Entities, such as the US government, typically issue bonds so as to increase their liquidity in order to fund special projects and initiatives. Bonds tend to vary in length from 90 days to 30 years.
Bonds are considered one of the three primary types of assets, along with stocks and cash.
Entities, such as the US government, typically issue bonds so as to increase their liquidity in order to fund special projects and initiatives. Bonds tend to vary in length from 90 days to 30 years.
Bonds are considered one of the three primary types of assets, along with stocks and cash.
The person getting a loan.
Breakage refers to gift cards that are purchased b … moreBreakage refers to gift cards that are purchased but never used. It is the reason why some gift cards can be purchased for less than their value -- a retailer knows that a certain number of the gift cards will never be used.
A three-part test that courts use to determine whe … moreA three-part test that courts use to determine whether a debtor deserves to have his or her student loans discharged in bankruptcy on the basis that repayment would impose an â??undue hardshipâ?? on the debtor and his or her dependents.
A gradual increase in the price of stocks over a c … moreA gradual increase in the price of stocks over a certain period of time. A bull market is often a precursor to economic recovery.
A credit card used by business owners or executive … moreA credit card used by business owners or executives to keep business expenses separate from personal charges. Some business credit cards offer special business rewards, like discounts at vendors or travel benefits.