A creditor is any person or organization to whom money is owed. This can include banks, individuals, businesses and government entities. When a consumer takes out a loan...

A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan sponsored by an employer. It lets workers save and invest a piece of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Taxes aren't paid until...

A loan officer is a financial professional who works for a bank, credit union, or other lending institution. Their primary responsibility is to evaluate loan applications and determine...

The Federal Reserve System, also known as the "Fed," is the central banking system of the United States. It was created in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act in response to a series...

Home equity refers to the portion of a homeowner's property that they own outright. It is calculated by subtracting the remaining balance on the mortgage from the...

A line of credit is a type of loan that allows a borrower to access a specific amount of money that they can borrow and repay as needed, rather than borrowing a set amount...

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. It was enacted in 1970 to protect consumers...

A subsidized loan is a type of financial assistance provided by the government or other organization to help individuals or families pay for education or other expenses...

An Unsubsidized Loan is a type of student loan that requires repayment without the help of any financial assistance or subsidies. These types of loans are funded by...