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Posts Tagged ‘BANK’

A TIMELY report by the Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan has focused on the asymmetries in consumer finance in Pakistan that are squeezing the general public. While banks reap record profits (in 2006 the pre-tax profits of all banks was a record Rs123.4bn), the benefits that have been passed on to customers have been inadequate. Most criticised has been the interest spread — generically, the difference between the rate at which a bank lends money to customers and the rate at which it pays depositors for their money — which has remained persistently and unjustifiably high. According to the CRCP report, the spread has ranged between approximately six and 10 per cent between 1990 and 2005, and in recent years has averaged over seven per cent. The banks justify the spread on the grounds that the cost of doing business in Pakistan is high and that their lending rates are reflective of the difficult economic environment here. Consumer rights advocates reject this argument, pointing to the record profitability of banks. At the very least, critics of the banking sector argue that banks have opaque cost structures and the high spread may be hiding inefficiencies within the sector that the consumer is being forced to pay for. The governor of the State Bank, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, has since early in her tenure tried to nudge banks into lowering their interest spreads and while they have come down in the past year, the feeling persists that the reduction has been too little and occurred too slowly.  Read more...

Owning a vehicle these days is no longer just a convenience; it has become an indispensable part of the daily routine for most Americans, whether it is for work, school, travel, or any reason. Most American families must have more than one car these days. But in this tough economy, where people are losing jobs every day, or at least one family member is, most people are not in the position to pay cash for a new or used car. In past years it was exceedingly difficult for anyone with a tarnished credit history to obtain auto loans. Bad credit was not accepted.

This practically meant that, if your credit were bad, you would be saving money for probably years in order to buy a car. Thankfully, that was in the past. Today almost all auto dealerships have a “special finance” department that works with individuals that have credit issues that would prevent them from applying for conventional auto loans. The loans that they offer are called bad credit auto loans.

Bad Credit Auto Loans are nothing to be Ashamed of

Just because you have some bad credit issues in your past is no reason to be ashamed. It truly happens to just about anyone; rich and poor, believe it or not. You can be earning six figures or more and still have a bad credit rating! Nevertheless, as a consumer it is in your best interest to keep your credit score as high as possible. By exercising restraint, not overextending yourself, and paying your bills on time, your credit rating will naturally grow. But, in the mean time, there is no reason why you have to wait to buy a good new or used car because auto loans for people with bad credit are available online.  Read more...

Bank of America™  and Major League Baseball™  hit a home run in the credit card industry.  Like many schools, airlines, and retail stores have done for decades, major league baseball teams, including the Chicago Cubs, are now being featured on consumer credit cards.  These team logo credit cards are rapidly growing in popularity and proving to be a hit with baseball fans across the country. 

The Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit Card from Bank of America boasts no annual fee and a 0% introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on balance transfers and cash advance checks for the first 12 billing cycles.   As incentives to gain customer share in the extraordinarily competitive credit card market, the baseball credit card also offers an official MLB™ licensed jersey after the first qualifying transaction using the card.  In addition to the no annual fee and 0% introductory APR, the card offers a point based incentive system whereby card holders earn 1 point for every net retail dollar spent redeemable for MLB™ autographed memorabilia, coveted MLB™ life experiences, travel and cash rewards.

A review of the landscape makes clear that every major league baseball team can be represented on a credit card.  For example, websites like www.cubscreditcard.com , www.whitesoxcreditcard.com, and www.dodgerscreditcard.com, each offer the same Major League Baseball™ Extra Bases™ Credit online application. 

Historically, baseball has given the public something to believe in and something to hope for, particularly in tough economic times.  With this credit card, consumers can be reminded of their favorite team every time they open their wallets.

Your pet’s picture can now be uploaded and featured on the Pet Rewards™ Visa® Credit Card issued by Bank of America®.  (www.petcreditcardrewards.com ).   This rewards credit card is scoring big with pet lovers and credit card consumers across the country.  Like many department stores, universities and airlines have done for decades, pet owners can now customize their credit cards to display their beloved pets.  These pet oriented rewards credit cards are proving to be a home run in the credit card industry.

Features offered by the Pet Rewards™ Visa® Credit Card from Bank of America include:

•           500 bonus points after your first purchase.

•           1 point for every dollar you spend on everyday purchases

•           Earn points toward veterinary services, pet food discount certificates, and shelter donations

•           Earn two PetRewards Points for each dollar you spend at participating veterinary clinics, pet food retailers, farm and feed stores, and neighborhood pet specialty stores

•           Rewards begin at just 750 points

•           Mini Card available

*See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.

During a period of economic instability, uncertainty in the stock market, illiquidity in the credit markets and the softening real estate market, one thing remains constant – pet lovers are crazy about their pets.  Generally, pets give their owners the most loyal and unconditional love they could ever ask for.  With the Pet Rewards™ Visa® Credit Card, pet owners can be reminded of their favorite dog, cat or other pet every time they take out their wallets.  Real pet lovers carry this card with pride.  Visit www.petcreditcardrewards.com to complete the credit card application online in a few short minutes.

1. Service tax authorities, of late, have been issuing notices to various borrowers of External Commercial Borrowings (ECB’s) from foreign branches of Indian banks and holding them liable to pay <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.taxmann.net/STOnlineWeb/NewHomePage/Home.aspx?pId=160″>Service tax</a> from September 10, 2004 under section 65(12)(a)(ix) of the Finance Act, 1994 which covers ECBs.

According to the borrower, the responsibility of paying service tax is of the service provider which is the foreign branch of the Indian bank and, hence, the Indian bank having a permanent establishment in India, is supposed to pay and not the borrower.

The contention of the service tax authorities is partially correct after coming into effect of section 66A of the Finance Act, 1994 from April 18, 2006.

Until the coming into effect of section 66A, the liability and obligation to pay service tax was that of Indian bank and not that of the borrower. Contrary to the contention of the service tax authorities, even under rule 2(1)(d)(iv) of the said Rules, effective from August 16, 2002 and June 16, 2005 respectively, the borrower cannot be made liable for the payment of service tax.

2. Rule 2(1)(d)(iv) reads as follows :—

‘Person liable for paying the service tax’ means,—

 Read more...