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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Debt Consolidation Agency - At Your Service

By Arvind Singh


What is a debt consolidation agency?

A Debt consolidation agency offers diverse services to individuals on issues ranging from personal finance and money management to debt consolidation solutions and loan counseling. Debt consolidation agencies function primarily as non profit organizations performing some sort of public service and are available online as well as offline.

How to select a debt consolidation agency?

When choosing a debt consolidation agency you need to ascertain if there are any charges for services related to financial analysis or counseling, given that they function as non profit agencies. There are most often some concealed fees or voluntary donations which aid the functioning of the organization. Additionally, these organizations receive funds from sources like credit companies who they liaise with when indebted clients approach them. Check for the free financial review programs, the professionals employed, the testimonials of their clients and whether they have a legal wing attached to them.

How does a debt consolidation agency operate?

These agencies comprise of finance professionals who counsel and advice clients on their unique situations and after considering all the aspects of the case offer an alternative to bankruptcy.

They have a symbiotic relationship with financial institutions, private investors and credit card organizations among others. Credit cards for instance represent unsecured loans and when the indebted client’s case is sorted out by the debt consolidation agency with the credit card company, the latter gives the former a percentage of the funds acquired. This enables the debt consolidation agency to maintain itself as a non profit organization while doing away with overhead costs. Though there is definitely a conflict of sorts brewing here, it is a known fact that debt consolidation agencies work with the creditors and the client to set low interest rates and short repayment terms as opposed to the deal the client has with all his individual creditors.

They initiate the debt consolidation loan. Trade offs ensue from high interest loans to a low interest one, with low monthly outflows and the entire debt consolidation loan to be paid off within a stipulated five years period. Debt consolidation agencies primarily aim at eliminating debt through reduction and generate savings via low interest rates. Though the debt exists, the client stands to gain given he has a flexible repayment plan functioning on his terms. Debt consolidation agencies are typically chosen by consumers who do not want to approach financial institutions or private lenders. Affordability is their trump card.

Debt Consolidation World is an online informational resource center with articles providing in-depth knowledge about Debt Consolidation. Your Search for Debt Consolidation Agency ends here. So go ahead and get rid of financial worries.

How to Find the Right Debt Consolidation Agencies

By Milo Lawrence


Debt consolidation agencies and services offer a solution for debt management, debt consolidation, and advice on managing debt.

There are several courses one can take to consolidate their debts. One way to avoid late fees on debts, or else shut-off notices is to ask family members or friends that may offer you the money. Of course, you will need to repay the debt; however it is less risky than if you borrowed the money from a debt consolidation agency or else some other source.

If you own a home, you may want to consider refinancing, since some lenders will offer you a debt consolidation solution attached to the new loan.

Some banks or mortgage lenders will search for loans that roll your monthly payments into one bill, which is the same effect you will get if you get help from a debt consolidation agency.

You could also call your creditors and ask for leniency or else more time to repay the debts. Many times creditors prefer to deal with the customer than with the collection agencies.

The reason is that they have hopes that you will remain a customer if they give you a chance. On the other hand, there are creditors that could care less if you have enough money to pay your bills or even enough money to survive.

The greedy souls are out to get their pay and will attach additional fees to your debts.

Debtors are protected under the laws; therefore, if you are in debt and are looking to consolidate your bills, then check out the laws at the local library before resorting to a debt consolidation agency.

Anytime you have the upper hand and are armored with knowledge, the consolidation agency in question will have a harder time trying to take advantage of you.

Milo Lawrence is the owner of http://autopilotprofits.secretaffiliatepages.com. Helping others understand the fundamentals of making money online and earn autopilot profits. Learn more from Milo's blog and review site at http://www.diggreview.net

Finding an Accredited Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Agency

By Angela Rogers


Your financial integrity is extremely valuable and if you need help getting back on track the best people to go to for debt consolidation credit counseling is a professional, accredited agency. There are so many options that you can take to sort out your debts that it may seem overwhelming and a debt consolidation credit counseling service can help you to decide which is the best route for you to take.

A debt consolidation credit counseling agency will go through your financial situation and work with you, and your creditors, to create a repayment plan that you can keep to until your debts are paid off. There are literally hundreds of debt consolidation credit counseling agencies and it is important to choose the best one for you. One of the major factors that you should consider when searching for the best debt consolidation credit counseling agency to suit your needs is to check if they are accredited to a third party organization. Accreditation means that the services of the debt consolidation credit counseling agency are endorsed by another organization that confirms their high standards.

There are a number of organizations that a debt consolidation credit counseling agency can be accredited by but the most well known is the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. (COA). This guarantees that the debt consolidation credit counseling agency will adhere to high standards of service delivery, counselor certification, fiscal integrity, and volunteer Board governance. The COA does not give accreditation to every debt consolidation credit counseling agency and they only give their seal of approval to those debt consolidation credit counseling agencies who meet their exacting standards are given their seal of approval.

Many debt consolidation credit counseling agencies are members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Debt consolidation credit counseling agents who are NFCC-certified have undergone a rigorous training and testing program.

To receive accreditation the debt consolidation credit counseling agency must comply with several service-specific quality standards such as:

• Annual audits of operating and trust accounts

• The debt consolidation credit counseling agency meets all consumer disclosure requirements as set forth by the Federal Trade Commission

• Funds are disbursed daily and funds are disbursed immediately in emergencies

• Each consumer receives an assessment of how he/she came to be in financial difficulty, a comprehensive financial plan, and a written plan of action

• Clients receive (at minimum) a quarterly statement

In addition, the COA has their own standards for service delivery & quality that a debt consolidation credit counseling agency must meet for them to be accredited which are:

• Meeting the needs of cultural/ethnic population groups in the communities they serve

• Fair and equitable treatment of creditors

• Minimum fee structures for consumers

• Presentation of educational programs

• Counselors who are NFCC-certified

• Having a branch counseling network in place for support their clients.

Find an Accredited Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Agency here - http://www.debt-helper.info/debt-consolidation-credit-counseling.html.

About The Author
Angela Rogers is the editor for http://www.debt-helper.info - Take an overview of student loan debt consolidation here - http://www.debt-helper.info/student-loan-debt-consolidation.html.