Lauren Ward Journalist Profile

Articles

The best low-interest business loans of 2024, and how to qualify for a great rate

Oct 29, 2024 | cnn.com | Lauren Ward |Katie Lowery

Money Loans / Business Loans By Lauren Ward Katie Lowery Andrew Pentis, CNN Underscored Money Published 2:01 PM EDT, Tue October 29, 2024 Link Copied! Although small business lending has tightened over the last year, according to the Kansas City Federal Reserve, the best low-interest business loans are available to entrepreneurs with good credit, stable business revenue and a solid business plan. We analyzed 23 companies to determine the top options for low-interest business financing. In...
The best bad-credit mortgage lenders in 2024 that offer home loans for low credit scores

May 30, 2024 | cnn.com | Lauren Ward |Katie Lowery

Money Mortgages By Lauren Ward Andrew Pentis Katie Lowery, CNN Underscored Money Published 7:00 AM EDT, Thu May 30, 2024 Getting a mortgage with bad credit — FICO defines “poor” credit as having scores below 580 — will take extra effort to find the right loan program from the right lender. But yes, there are home loans for low credit scores, including government-backed mortgages (under the friendly acronyms FHA, VA and USDA) and lender-specific programs that offer lenient eligibility...
Does the Reason for Your Personal Loan Matter?

Apr 22, 2024 | lendedu.com | Lauren Ward

When you take out a personal loan, the lender will typically ask you how you intend to use the funds. It does this for many reasons, most of which revolve around compliance, but also to ensure you’re taking out the best loan for your needs. Once a personal loan is fully funded, borrowers are usually free to spend the money as they see fit, but exceptions exist. Keep reading to find out the best reasons for a personal loan and why some purposes are better than others.
Signature Personal Loans

Apr 19, 2024 | lendedu.com | Lauren Ward

A signature loan is an unsecured personal loan, meaning no collateral is required, only your John Hancock (plus a strong income and credit history). Keep reading to learn about signature loans, their pros and cons, and how to apply for one if you believe it’s the best financial product for your needs. Is a signature loan a personal loan? A signature loan is a type of personal loan. It doesn’t require any collateral to secure, such as a house or a car.
Fairway Independent Mortgage Co. Reverse Mortgage

Mar 18, 2024 | lendedu.com | Lauren Ward

Multiple payment options, including cash, fixed monthly advances, or a line of creditNo income taxMust budget for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation was founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson. Its mission is to provide excellent customer service and help them navigate the mortgage process, whether it’s homebuying, refinancing, or using home equity. It aims to do this by being transparent, communicative, and punctual.
Small Business Loans for Startups

Mar 14, 2024 | lendedu.com | Lauren Ward |Erin Kinkade

Small business loans help companies with financial challenges and opportunities, from smoothing out inconsistent cash flow to funding new areas for growth. Unlike established businesses, startups face an additional hurdle when applying for financing because they don’t have as much history. Some lenders require a minimum time in business before allowing companies to apply for a loan. Others want to see a track record of revenue. These requirements can be hard for startups to meet.
Women and Money: 10 Tips for Building Financial Independence

Mar 8, 2024 | prosper.com | Lauren Ward |Prosper Marketplace

Achieving financial independence for women is more challenging due to gender-based wage gaps and lower levels of financial literacy. On average, a woman earns 82 cents for every dollar a man earns. Despite this hurdle, women continue to narrow the wage gap by earning and investing more than they have in the past. Are you ready to learn how to achieve financial independence as a woman?
Homeowners insurance and tree damage

Mar 2, 2024 | isatexas.com | Lauren Ward

By Lauren WardAs a homeowner, it’s your job to care for and protect your property, but home insurance companies offer policies that can help you with the protection part. Tree damage may not be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing coverage levels for your homeowner’s insurance, but if a tree falls on your home, it can damage your house and your possessions and cause financial devastation.
How Much Will a $1 Million Mortgage Cost Me?

Feb 28, 2024 | mediafeed.org | Lauren Ward

Pay off a mortgage in five years? While paying off your home loan early could help you save money on interest, sometimes the money is better spent on other financial goals and projects. So it pays to take a close look at the numbers, just as you did when you got your mortgage in the first place. This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org. SoFi Loan ProductsSoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 Opens A New Window.(Member FDIC).
OnDeck Small Business Loan Review

Feb 28, 2024 | lendedu.com | Lauren Ward

Terms loans and lines of creditBorrow up to $250,000Get funds as soon as the same day OnDeck is an online business lender committed to helping small businesses succeed. The company started in 2006 with a focus on data analytics to expedite lending decisions, which can be quite slow when working with traditional banks instead of an online lender. It has made over $15 billion in small business loans in that time.