Credit cards are a way of life for most Americans. According to Time.com, in the last 10 years credit card balances have gone up 75%, yet consumer’s wages have gone up only 4%. Increased balances and the number of credit cards consumers have, has allowed credit card companies to reap the rewards for years.  These credit card companies have always survived in tough economic times because they were able to generate lots of revenue from things such as late fees, however more and more consumers are now facing charge off. The charge off rate for default consumers is expected to reach 10%, which is double what the rate has been for the past 10 years. If there are more charge offs, that means credit card companies will be in the RED, because defaults/charge offs will far surpass the revenue they are bringing in from things such as late fees. So, what does that mean will happen?
In the case of American Express, they just became a bank holding company in order to receive some low cost funds and a piece of the $700 billion bailout. In the case of Citigroup, they layed off 10,000 employees and will begin imposing higher interest rates on it’s 54 billion cardholders. With other credit card issuers, there is bound to be some increased interest rates passed down to the cardholders and increased fees. The only way to really avoid the effects of these credit card issuer’s hardships, is for consumers to manage their money better where they avoid any additional late fees and also look at not incorporating any new debt. The only option I can see is looking at debt consolidation or debt settlement to avoid getting in a deeper hole. Leadpile Lead Exchange generates a lot of debt leads where consumers need help and need help now. Hopefully, they can ride the wave before any sort of credit card “bubble” bursts and they are affected in an even worse way.

It is official…

Leadpile Lead Exchange is officially generating the lead type of Loan Modification.  There are so many consumers out there wanting help with the mortgages they are in, and we are now connecting those consumers with companies providing the service.

The sad part about this lead type is that the some lenders that actually issued the loans are the ones now trying to offer loan modification options.  I know this is happening because I received a letter from my original lender, however I am not delinquent on my mortgage or not about to experience any “life changing” experience to cause me to need a loan modification.  My guess is they are just sending out notifications to everyone, in hopes that there are some that took out a loan with them that are falling behind at this point. Why were things like this not offered to the consumers at the time they got the original mortgage?  We all know there are some consumers who just could not wait to get that cash out on their refinance, however there are a lot of consumers that were maybe put in loans they had no business being put in.  Our lead marketplace is here to try and match up consumers with service providers, no matter what the circumstances were.

The information we are capturing for the loan modification lead type:

1.  Full contact information

2.  Monthly Income

3.  Credit rating

4.  Home value

5.  Mortgage balance, interest rate, and adjustable, fixed, or interest only interest rate

6.  Consumers monthly obligations

7.  Have bankruptcy filings been started already

Recently, while researching the loan modification lead type, I came across some very interesting (and helpful) information about loan modification. This is something that Leadpile Lead Exchange currently is not generating, however we are currently doing the much needed research to roll out this new lead type.
After speaking with a representative (Souban Houn) who is working in the industry, here is what she informed me that are some “events” that would make a consumer potentially eligible for loan modification.
Generally, loan modifications are considered by the lenders under the premise that the borrowers experiences some sort of hardship that resulted in their falling behind on payments. For instance:

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Reset- Payment (uncommon, but we will see more lenders accept this in the future)
Illness
Loss of Job
Reduced Income
Failed Business
Job Relocation
Death of Spouse or Co-Borrower
Death
Incarceration
Divorce
Marital Separation
Military Duty
Reduced Income
Medical Bills
Damage to Property (natural disaster or unnatural)
Overall, these are “events” that could happen to anyone unexpectedly. Therefore, this seems like a good alternative to going into foreclosure. The unfortunate thing is, some went into these mortgages already in a very tight situation financially, and nothing major has happened to them. However, now the rate is about to adjust and that just makes the difference between paycheck to paycheck TO falling months behind on the mortgage. Tough situation for both lenders and consumers.
Stay tuned for this lead type to be rolled out in our marketplace. There are a lot of consumers needing this assistance, and a lot of people like Ms. Houn looking to assist these customers (if they can).

Credit repair is one of the most demanded lead types in the financial industry.  The demand for this lead type continues to grow & grow.  Credit is a major part of “The American Way”, but it also helps you qualify for loans, lines of credit, buying a home or car, and for some it might even determine your career.  
Everyone with bad credit needs to take advantage of companies assisting them to bringing up their FICO/credit score.  Spending a few hundred dollars restoring your credit could save you a lot of money in the long run! For instance, when buying a car or home you will qualify for a lower interest rate, which saves in your overall payment you are making each month. Also, you will be able to then qualify for credit cards, to have around for those unexpected expenses that arise.  

LeadPile Lead Exchange is an expert in gathering consumers that need help today!  Let LeadPile be a part of your organization and supply you with some GREAT QUALITY credit repair leads. 

In recent months the debt vertical has become a very popular, yet challenging vertical to work with. Understanding reasons consumers have gotten into debt and the specifics that the lead buyers are looking for, has been something we have worked on to fully understand.
According to Bankrate.com there are 10 main reasons why consumers get buried in debt. Understanding more about debt allows consumers to be more educated and ultimately try and avoid these types of situations.

1. Reduced income, but same monthly expenses
2. Divorce
3. Poor money management
4. Underemployment
5. Gambling
6. Medical expenses
7. Not saving money or not saving enough money
8. No money communication skills
9. Spending money you don’t have yet
10. No understanding of money

These are all scenarios any consumer can be faced with, including myself. With the economy being very tough right now, many lead generation companies are focusing on the debt vertical. Fortunately, there are various types of debt help that the consumers can get, but most consumers do not know the difference between one another.
The main details that debt consolidation and debt settlement companies are looking for is the amount of unsecured debt. What is unsecured debt?
Unsecured debt is debt that is not secured by any collateral. For instance, credit card debt, medical bills, cell phone bills and other collection accounts. Most debt companies do not work with secured debt such as mortgages, tax debt, student loans and auto loans.
Leadpile Lead Exchange generates a lot of debt leads. Lead types such as debt consolidation, debt settlement, and credit repair are all types of leads we are generating that are there to assist the consumers with the debt/credit. We are connecting the consumers that need help, with those companies that can help them get out of debt.

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On a previous post I spoke about Lower My Bills (LMB) and some changes they were going through. However, I think I am seeing some changes going on again. Looking around on the net I saw some of those “dancing” people, yet the advertisement were about AUTO INSURANCE? Yeah, auto insurance! The ad was a LMB advertisement about lowering your auto insurance rates. So, is LMB RE-focusing on other industries besides JUST refinance? If you take a look at their website it talks about all sorts of lead types, however I guess we usually all know them for mortgage, NOT insurance. Maybe something new is in the works?

According to RUMORY.com, some companies could be experiencing some potential changes to adjust with the declining economy. Tough times right now for just about any industry. I will say Leadpile Lead Exchange is fortunately thriving while others are going through some tough times.
Will all the major online lead generation companies survive, and if they do what will their main focus for lead gen be in?

Many in the world would be so jealous of a particular women who had a lot of debt (20k), created a website, and asked for help. This equaled HUGE success for a lady named Karyn. You have to hear about this success story and really how effective the internet is…. and that there are lots of other people in the world with lots of debt! The difference is: Karyn asked for help and got it!

Debt is a common part of what each person in America has, but have you ever thought about taking control of it by asking for help through “other” means? Most of us have not, however what we do do is either continue to struggle paying the minimum payments each month, or we just stop paying them. However, maybe more of us need to get creative and use some different resources to get help.
Then again, there is the traditional way and that is to try and work with specialized debt consolidation/debt settlement companies that help customers in this situation. I know a lot of people are submitting their request for more information about debt help, because the debt lead type is a HUGE lead type in the Leadpile Lead Exchange. Not all of us are as bold and entrepreneurial as Karyn! Either way, I give her props because she is now debt free and continuing her life now as a successful author.
IF YOU WANT IT… GO OUT & GET IT!

Anyone who has taken out a loan of some sort, applied for a new job, or rented an apartment knows how much your credit score matters.  Think about it, most employers are even pulling your credit.. insurance carriers are pulling your credit… and of course the lenders are too.  What is the big fuss about someone’s credit score?  Well, one thing I have learned over the years is, it is probably one of the most important things in our life! That sounds bad, but really it is.  How can a 3 digit number that no one has any idea how it is made up, have such a large impact?

In today’s economy a lot of consumers are finding out the answer to that question.  People trying to refinance their home are being faced with the fact that their bills have fallen past due and now they can not get a loan.  Consumers are trying to find new jobs because their employers are going out of business. However, they are not getting that job because according to their credit score they are a “high risk” employee who can’t take care of their personal finances.  So, why would they hire you if you can’t even take care of your own bills?  Insurance premiums are going up so consumers are looking for new insurance companies, but finding out that their rates might not have been so bad compared to their new rate estimates they have received.  Why?  The insurance company is pulling your credit for things such as auto policies, because they say that statistics show your credit score has a direct impact on your driving skills(better chances of NOT getting in an accident) and your ability to pay your bills.  They think that those with bad credit scores are going to get in more wrecks and not pay their bills? Unfortunately, there has been some controversial findings that have been known to show some truth to that statement.

What makes up a credit score?  First, you need to know that the range of your credit score can be anywhere between 350-850.  Secondly, you need to know that there are 3 different credit reporting agencies (Transunion, Experian, and Equifax) where your lenders can report your credit history to.  Thirdly, there are a combination of things that make up your credit score such as your payment history on credit cards and loans, your total outstanding debt versus available credit, how long you have had the loans/credit cards open, how many people have pulled your credit (inquiries) and a whole bunch of other “unknown” factors. So now you know who pulls your credit, why people pull your credit, and what makes up your credit score. How do you fix it?

The first step is getting in the right direction regarding your credit is to become educated on everything that is linked with your credit score and what is on your own credit.  Then get with a company that deals with credit repair and walk through the process with them on FULLY understanding that credit report(s), and how you both are going to work on getting it better.  When searching the internet, look for credit repair sites.  

Companies like Leadpile- The World’s Largest Online Exclusive Lead Exchange-  deal a lot with this lead type and understand that the companies buying these leads really are out there trying to get your credit score higher.  Then your credit score does not affect you getting that next job, next insurance policy or paying REALLY high interest rates.

Debt is becoming a big space in the lead industry.  Look at gas prices. The average state is paying $4 plus per gallon.  How does this affect consumers?  Simple, they are paying for gas with their credit cards.  According to an article read today Bankrate reported an average credit card interest rate at 13.42%. This mean that consumers are not only paying for the high priced gas but also interest on it.  

You see how this relates in the debt space.  Consumers are falling behind on their credit card payments as the economic headache is affecting their everyday lifestyle.  

Debt Settlement and Debt Consolidation companies more now than ever are in urge of helping these consumers with their debt.  Meaning, they are buying more leads.  The demand for leads in the Debt space is high as the consumers are becoming more buried with debt.

Good time to start spending marketing revenue on this lead type!