Chapter 7 bankruptcy is one of the mortgage debt help options that not many debtors want to opt for. However, there are many debtors that are left with no other option but to file bankruptcy. Earlier it was easy to file chapter 7 bankruptcy. With the introduction of the new federal bankruptcy laws, filing bankruptcy has become very rigid. The new federal bankruptcy laws have been introduced to curb the number of consumers filing bankruptcy.
It has also affected the manner in which you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also referred to as straight and liquidation bankruptcy. According to the new federal bankruptcy laws that were introduced on October 17th 2005, if you are planning to file bankruptcy, you have to undergo a Means test.
1. Means test
The Means test decides whether you are eligible for Chapter 7 and the test has been introduced to help consumers qualify that are in genuine need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In Means test your income is compared to the median income of a similar household in the state in which you reside. If it is found that your income is higher than the state median income, you don’t qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Under such circumstances, your bankruptcy attorney may suggest you to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy in which you are required to pay back your debts as per a new repayment plan.
When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your non exempt assets are liquidated or sold to pay off your creditors. A court appointed trustee takes care of the entire proceeding. There are 2 types of exemptions. They are state as well as federal exemptions. You can enjoy only one type of exemption either state or federal.
2. Credit counseling
As per the new federal bankruptcy laws, you will also be required to attend credit counseling sessions. This is applicable to both Chapter 7 as well as Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Credit counseling has to be availed by credit counselor approved by the government.
Although bankruptcy is a debt relief option many consumers despise, it is often considered as an option that gives you a fresh financial start. And there are many lenders that regard filing bankruptcy as a responsible financial behavior since they understand that the economy is still reeling under recession.
Article Source: Justine Anderson
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
5 Secrets to Mortgage Success
5 Secrets to Mortgage Success
There are 5 rules of thumb that all prospective buyers should take into account when shopping around for a new home. These tips can help you obtain a mortgage with less hassle and at a lower cost.
1. First, determine how much home you can afford. Based on your income and any long term debt, know the maximum payments you can be certain of making comfortably. Home loans are serious business, and buying too much home can build a mountain of debt. Make sure you can make your payments comfortably; it shouldn’t be a burden. Locate a mortgage calculator online that allows you to enter your income and it will tell you how much mortgage you can afford.
2. Then, Make a budget. Do you know where your money goes? How much is spent on unnecessary things? How much are your utility bills? If you are buying a larger home, the utilities will most likely go up. Will you be able to make payments on time and pay the larger bills? Does the home you are considering require repairs or upgrades? This tip recommends you figure these things into a budget to avoid overspending.
3. You need to gather your documentation. You will be required to show quite a bit of documentation before you mortgage is approved such as IRS returns for past years, W-2’s, proof of current salary, assets, debts, records regarding child support or alimony and the like.
4. It is imperative that you become educated about mortgage types and rates. The tip is very important. If you know the meaning of the mortgage “lingo”, the types of loans available and what the current rates are, you will be in a much better position to negotiate your home loan. Start studying your options well before you plan to buy!
5. Remember that there are options, maybe considering a shorter loan term is a better financial decision for you. The goal is to pay off the home mortgage in the least time possible while allowing enough money to live comfortably. You can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments!
If you follow these rules, it will help you on the road to making your mortgage experience easier and less costly. You should learn all you can before applying for a loan!
Article Source: David Chapman
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
There are 5 rules of thumb that all prospective buyers should take into account when shopping around for a new home. These tips can help you obtain a mortgage with less hassle and at a lower cost.
1. First, determine how much home you can afford. Based on your income and any long term debt, know the maximum payments you can be certain of making comfortably. Home loans are serious business, and buying too much home can build a mountain of debt. Make sure you can make your payments comfortably; it shouldn’t be a burden. Locate a mortgage calculator online that allows you to enter your income and it will tell you how much mortgage you can afford.
2. Then, Make a budget. Do you know where your money goes? How much is spent on unnecessary things? How much are your utility bills? If you are buying a larger home, the utilities will most likely go up. Will you be able to make payments on time and pay the larger bills? Does the home you are considering require repairs or upgrades? This tip recommends you figure these things into a budget to avoid overspending.
3. You need to gather your documentation. You will be required to show quite a bit of documentation before you mortgage is approved such as IRS returns for past years, W-2’s, proof of current salary, assets, debts, records regarding child support or alimony and the like.
4. It is imperative that you become educated about mortgage types and rates. The tip is very important. If you know the meaning of the mortgage “lingo”, the types of loans available and what the current rates are, you will be in a much better position to negotiate your home loan. Start studying your options well before you plan to buy!
5. Remember that there are options, maybe considering a shorter loan term is a better financial decision for you. The goal is to pay off the home mortgage in the least time possible while allowing enough money to live comfortably. You can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments!
If you follow these rules, it will help you on the road to making your mortgage experience easier and less costly. You should learn all you can before applying for a loan!
Article Source: David Chapman
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tweet All About It - Somerset Mortgage Lenders Hits 10,000 Followers on Twitter
For Immediate Release:
Tweet All About It - Somerset Mortgage Lenders Hits 10,000 Followers on Twitter
Melville/New York/USA (September 18, 2009) Tweet All About It! Gregg Marcus' Somerset Mortgage Lenders has reached the 10,000 followers plateau on Twitter, the popular microblogging service; a spokesman for the direct mortgage lender said today.
Recently, an article in Computer Weekly named the Melville, Long Island (NY) Mortgage Company as the #1 bank on Twitter - their survey polled the top 10 banks actively participating in twitter and chose the winner in relation to number of followers - and since then their web traffic has increased exponentially, both on Twitter itself and on their home page located at somersetmortgagelenders.com.
"It is truly astounding how quickly these new ways of marketing can be implemented and show legitimate results" remarked Gregg Marcus, Executive Director, Somerset Mortgage Lenders. "If I wasn't a believer in viral marketing before, I am certainly a believer now" he continued.
Over the past few months, Somerset has also been quoted in articles written for Newsday and Long Island Business News; in relation to their forward thinking hiring procedures and to their work in the social media marketing realm.
Do you tweet? Follow Somerset Mortgage Lenders on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SomersetMtg
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Tweet All About It - Somerset Mortgage Lenders Hits 10,000 Followers on Twitter
Melville/New York/USA (September 18, 2009) Tweet All About It! Gregg Marcus' Somerset Mortgage Lenders has reached the 10,000 followers plateau on Twitter, the popular microblogging service; a spokesman for the direct mortgage lender said today.
Recently, an article in Computer Weekly named the Melville, Long Island (NY) Mortgage Company as the #1 bank on Twitter - their survey polled the top 10 banks actively participating in twitter and chose the winner in relation to number of followers - and since then their web traffic has increased exponentially, both on Twitter itself and on their home page located at somersetmortgagelenders.com.
"It is truly astounding how quickly these new ways of marketing can be implemented and show legitimate results" remarked Gregg Marcus, Executive Director, Somerset Mortgage Lenders. "If I wasn't a believer in viral marketing before, I am certainly a believer now" he continued.
Over the past few months, Somerset has also been quoted in articles written for Newsday and Long Island Business News; in relation to their forward thinking hiring procedures and to their work in the social media marketing realm.
Do you tweet? Follow Somerset Mortgage Lenders on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SomersetMtg
For more information on Somerset Mortgage Lenders check out their website: http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com
About Somerset Mortgage Lenders:
With their main offices in the heart of Long Island, located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746, Somerset Mortgage Lenders have been in the mortgage business for 30 years. In Somerset, you have a mortgage banking firm that prides itself on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Refinancing Your Mortgage - Is It The Right Choice For You?
Refinancing Your Mortgage - Is It The Right Choice For You?
Mortgage refinancing is an option for many homebuyers who are paying interest rates 2-3% or higher than what they can find today, or who need additional cash. Were you a first time homebuyer or you had poor credit the last time you obtained a loan? Now you are on your feet and make a salary that could help you receive the best interest rates. Possibly you are looking to refinance your mortgage so you can free some funds for a new car or for educational purposes. There are many options available when you refinance.
Before you decide if refinancing is right for you, look at your current financial situation. Do you have an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan? How long do you plan to be in your home after you obtain your new mortgage? What is your ultimate goal? Most people want to refinance so they can access more money now. Refinancing is a great solution, but is a refinance of your loan the right solution for you?
The first step is making contact with you lender, and be aware how much your monthly payment is now. It is also helpful to find out how much you have paid of your mortgage towards principal. Since you will refinance the amount left on the mortgage principal, and not refinance the original mortgage amount, it is really important to know how much principal is left. If you plan to stay in your home for a length of time and still have a sizeable principal left on your loan, then a mortgage refinance may be a good option for you if interest rates are lower than when you obtained your last loan.
Just as with most conventional loans, refinancing offers similar options of adjustable and fixed rate mortgages and anywhere from 10-40 year loans. Be sure to review with your mortgage lender the reasons you are interested in refinancing; do you need to refinance to obtain cash for home improvements or for a new car purchase? These are important factors to make your lender aware of as you are deciding how to refinance your mortgage.
Another factor that determines whether borrowers refinance is interest rates. Current mortgage interest rates can rise and this often scares refinance borrowers who have ARMs because they are afraid the adjustable rates will rise after they refinance. It is difficult to assess what will happen to the adjustable refinance mortgage interest rates over the next few years. If you refinance into a fixed rate mortgage during a high interest rate period, then when interest rates go back down, you are stuck with a high fixed rate mortgage and another decision about whether or not to refinance again. Of course the only sure-fire way of knowing if you should apply for a refinancing is to assess your reasons for the refinance and how it will affect you in the future.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Mortgage refinancing is an option for many homebuyers who are paying interest rates 2-3% or higher than what they can find today, or who need additional cash. Were you a first time homebuyer or you had poor credit the last time you obtained a loan? Now you are on your feet and make a salary that could help you receive the best interest rates. Possibly you are looking to refinance your mortgage so you can free some funds for a new car or for educational purposes. There are many options available when you refinance.
Before you decide if refinancing is right for you, look at your current financial situation. Do you have an adjustable rate loan or a fixed rate loan? How long do you plan to be in your home after you obtain your new mortgage? What is your ultimate goal? Most people want to refinance so they can access more money now. Refinancing is a great solution, but is a refinance of your loan the right solution for you?
The first step is making contact with you lender, and be aware how much your monthly payment is now. It is also helpful to find out how much you have paid of your mortgage towards principal. Since you will refinance the amount left on the mortgage principal, and not refinance the original mortgage amount, it is really important to know how much principal is left. If you plan to stay in your home for a length of time and still have a sizeable principal left on your loan, then a mortgage refinance may be a good option for you if interest rates are lower than when you obtained your last loan.
Just as with most conventional loans, refinancing offers similar options of adjustable and fixed rate mortgages and anywhere from 10-40 year loans. Be sure to review with your mortgage lender the reasons you are interested in refinancing; do you need to refinance to obtain cash for home improvements or for a new car purchase? These are important factors to make your lender aware of as you are deciding how to refinance your mortgage.
Another factor that determines whether borrowers refinance is interest rates. Current mortgage interest rates can rise and this often scares refinance borrowers who have ARMs because they are afraid the adjustable rates will rise after they refinance. It is difficult to assess what will happen to the adjustable refinance mortgage interest rates over the next few years. If you refinance into a fixed rate mortgage during a high interest rate period, then when interest rates go back down, you are stuck with a high fixed rate mortgage and another decision about whether or not to refinance again. Of course the only sure-fire way of knowing if you should apply for a refinancing is to assess your reasons for the refinance and how it will affect you in the future.
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Debt Relief Help - Get Your Share of Government Money
Debt Relief Help - Get Your Share of Government Money
With the economy the way it is right now, it's hard to feel like you can stay on top of things. You worry if you can pay your credit card bills. You fret about the possibility of losing your job. Maybe you have to cut back hours at work or choose between benefits.
If you do lose your job and are fortunate enough to get another, that one may not give you health insurance or vacation pay. Your stress is over the top.
At a certain point, the worry turns into real concern as you realize that you may lose your home or your retirement money. Before considering bankruptcy
, you want to investigate the money the federal government has set aside for relieving people who have severe debt. There are programs in place for you, and there's money set aside. A lot of this money, however, is never claimed because people like you don't know it's there or think that it's not there for them.
If you're over the age of 18, all you have to do at first is make an online search of government grants for debt relief. When you get that list, click on to a few of the sites. Look carefully at the grants that are available. Hopefully, at least one or two of them will fit the description of someone like yourself, for you do have to meet some qualifications in order to apply.
Choose the ones that best suit your needs as well as your qualifications, and download the forms that you'll have to use. Fill them out, send them in, and wait for the review boards of the sponsoring agencies to get back to you with an answer and perhaps eventually a check.
There are experts in the field who can help you to search for and apply to those grants that will be best matched to your situation. It's a reliable business that wants to help you get started on your road to financial liquidity. Once you get grant money, you can pay down your debts and begin building up your credit history again.
It will be such a relief to you when you find that you've gotten your debt down to manageable size or eradicated it entirely. You can then continue your journey to financial success without these huge burdens weighing you down.
(ArticlesBase ID #1221257)
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
With the economy the way it is right now, it's hard to feel like you can stay on top of things. You worry if you can pay your credit card bills. You fret about the possibility of losing your job. Maybe you have to cut back hours at work or choose between benefits.
If you do lose your job and are fortunate enough to get another, that one may not give you health insurance or vacation pay. Your stress is over the top.
At a certain point, the worry turns into real concern as you realize that you may lose your home or your retirement money. Before considering bankruptcy
, you want to investigate the money the federal government has set aside for relieving people who have severe debt. There are programs in place for you, and there's money set aside. A lot of this money, however, is never claimed because people like you don't know it's there or think that it's not there for them.
If you're over the age of 18, all you have to do at first is make an online search of government grants for debt relief. When you get that list, click on to a few of the sites. Look carefully at the grants that are available. Hopefully, at least one or two of them will fit the description of someone like yourself, for you do have to meet some qualifications in order to apply.
Choose the ones that best suit your needs as well as your qualifications, and download the forms that you'll have to use. Fill them out, send them in, and wait for the review boards of the sponsoring agencies to get back to you with an answer and perhaps eventually a check.
There are experts in the field who can help you to search for and apply to those grants that will be best matched to your situation. It's a reliable business that wants to help you get started on your road to financial liquidity. Once you get grant money, you can pay down your debts and begin building up your credit history again.
It will be such a relief to you when you find that you've gotten your debt down to manageable size or eradicated it entirely. You can then continue your journey to financial success without these huge burdens weighing you down.
(ArticlesBase ID #1221257)
###
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
REAL ESTATE PROS: How do bank fees of just $995 sound?
REAL ESTATE PROS: How do bank fees of just $995 sound? check out http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 for details
RIGHT NOW:
Product: 30 yr Fixed Mortgage
Rate: 4.875
Orig pts: 1.000
APR: 5.249
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 15 yr Fixed Mortgage
Rate: 4.625
Orig pts: 0.000
APR: 5.121
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 5/1 ARM Mortgage
Rate: 4.250
Orig pts: 1.000
APR: 4.61
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 30 yr Jumbo Mortgage
Rate: 5.625
Orig pts: 0.000
APR: 6.016
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
ANYONE can get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
RIGHT NOW:
Product: 30 yr Fixed Mortgage
Rate: 4.875
Orig pts: 1.000
APR: 5.249
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 15 yr Fixed Mortgage
Rate: 4.625
Orig pts: 0.000
APR: 5.121
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 5/1 ARM Mortgage
Rate: 4.250
Orig pts: 1.000
APR: 4.61
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
Product: 30 yr Jumbo Mortgage
Rate: 5.625
Orig pts: 0.000
APR: 6.016
Lock days: 30
Pct down: 20
Loan Amount: $0-$417000
http://bit.ly/jg4kf
ANYONE can get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Somerset Mortgage Lenders Featured in Long Island Business News Article
For Immediate Release:
Somerset Mortgage Lenders Featured in Long Island Business News Article - Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter
Melville/New York/USA (August 31, 2009) Robert Haufler, Director of Marketing for Somerset Mortgage Lenders, was interviewed recently by Long Island Business News writer Laura Glasser for her article "Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter" which was published on Friday August 28th, 2009.
Here is the link and text from the article, courtesy of LIBN and Laura Glasser:
http://libn.com/blog/2009/08/28/banks-large-and-not-so-small-turn-a-twitter/
:Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter:
by Laura Glasser
Published: August 28, 2009
Tags: banks, social media, Twitter
The finance world is jumping on one of the biggest trends the Internet has ever seen: Twitter.
Used for a range of functions from marketing to customer education, big banks such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America are actively using the micro-blogging sensation to "tweet” their finance news and respond to customers’ questions, or even explicit rants, about their institutions.
"I think it’s a great idea,” said Carmen Effron, president of Connecticut-based bank consulting firm CF Effron and Co. "Say you have an interest rate that you just dropped .25 percent; you want to get that out there and this is the best way.”
She added that using social networking sites such as Twitter, which allows users to post a message up to 140 characters long, is a good way for banks to attract the younger, tech-savvy crowd and secure them for future business.
Wells Fargo, Wachovia and Bank of America have employees dedicated to managing their Twitter feeds and responding quickly to customers who post anything negative about the banks.
In the finance world, early adopters of Twitter have the advantage of little competition in the area, said Rob Haufler, director of marketing at Somerset Mortgage Bankers in Melville.
Of all financial companies on Twitter nationwide, Somerset has the largest number of followers, with 9,370, according to information technology news site ComputerWeekly.com.
"My opinion is we’re in the bottom of the first inning; we have a whole game left of this,” Haufler said. "I see social networking being huge.”
Aside from customer service, Haufler uses Twitter to educate consumers on anything going on in the mortgage world and to announce special promotions. For example, on its Twitter page now, Somerset is offering a coupon for a free in-home mortgage consultation.
Haufler said Twitter is important to Somerset’s overall business in the post-mortgage-meltdown world because it’s another source for tapping potential borrowers.
"A loan officer making seven loans per month used to need a certain amount of leads to get those seven loans,” he said. "Now that loan officer needs triple the amount of leads to get the same amount of loans; Twitter’s helping with that.”
Haufler said Somerset’s online traffic is up about 8 percent since he started using Twitter.
"It’s the best return on investment of any marketing we’re doing,” he added.
Long Island-based commercial banks, however, have yet to jump into the social networking fray.
That doesn’t surprise Art Loomis, president of Albany-based Northeast Capital since banks in the local region also haven’t adopted mobile banking, which was the last big technology upgrade for big banks.
"Community banks tend to be followers of technology, not leaders,” he said. "A community bank’s real niche is that customer touch, so all the Internet stuff helps the younger folks, but most of your really valuable banking customers are older.”
The customers secured through social media wouldn’t become profitable to a bank for about 10 to 15 years, and since many institutions are now short on cash because of the recession, time and resources would be better spent targeting the over 50 crowd that makes community banks the most money, Loomis said.
Effron added that social networking sites such as Twitter are not helpful to small business-centered banks, as many of the Island’s institutions are.
"You have to look at who this appeals to and it’s the younger, emerging customer,” she said. "This is not a commercial banking approach.”
###
Somerset Mortgage Lenders, with their main offices right in the heart of Long Island, have been in the mortgage business for 30 years; currently located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746. They pride themselves on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
SOMERSET MORTGAGE LENDERS
Specializing in: purchases, debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, loans for home improvement, mortgages, refinancing existing loans, reverse mortgages, FHA loans & more
Get a free rate quote now at http://www.somersetmortgagelenders.com or call 1-800-675-9783 to speak to a LIVE Loan Officer.
Somerset Mortgage Lenders Featured in Long Island Business News Article - Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter
Melville/New York/USA (August 31, 2009) Robert Haufler, Director of Marketing for Somerset Mortgage Lenders, was interviewed recently by Long Island Business News writer Laura Glasser for her article "Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter" which was published on Friday August 28th, 2009.
Here is the link and text from the article, courtesy of LIBN and Laura Glasser:
http://libn.com/blog/2009/08/28/banks-large-and-not-so-small-turn-a-twitter/
:Banks large and not so small turn a-Twitter:
by Laura Glasser
Published: August 28, 2009
Tags: banks, social media, Twitter
The finance world is jumping on one of the biggest trends the Internet has ever seen: Twitter.
Used for a range of functions from marketing to customer education, big banks such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America are actively using the micro-blogging sensation to "tweet” their finance news and respond to customers’ questions, or even explicit rants, about their institutions.
"I think it’s a great idea,” said Carmen Effron, president of Connecticut-based bank consulting firm CF Effron and Co. "Say you have an interest rate that you just dropped .25 percent; you want to get that out there and this is the best way.”
She added that using social networking sites such as Twitter, which allows users to post a message up to 140 characters long, is a good way for banks to attract the younger, tech-savvy crowd and secure them for future business.
Wells Fargo, Wachovia and Bank of America have employees dedicated to managing their Twitter feeds and responding quickly to customers who post anything negative about the banks.
In the finance world, early adopters of Twitter have the advantage of little competition in the area, said Rob Haufler, director of marketing at Somerset Mortgage Bankers in Melville.
Of all financial companies on Twitter nationwide, Somerset has the largest number of followers, with 9,370, according to information technology news site ComputerWeekly.com.
"My opinion is we’re in the bottom of the first inning; we have a whole game left of this,” Haufler said. "I see social networking being huge.”
Aside from customer service, Haufler uses Twitter to educate consumers on anything going on in the mortgage world and to announce special promotions. For example, on its Twitter page now, Somerset is offering a coupon for a free in-home mortgage consultation.
Haufler said Twitter is important to Somerset’s overall business in the post-mortgage-meltdown world because it’s another source for tapping potential borrowers.
"A loan officer making seven loans per month used to need a certain amount of leads to get those seven loans,” he said. "Now that loan officer needs triple the amount of leads to get the same amount of loans; Twitter’s helping with that.”
Haufler said Somerset’s online traffic is up about 8 percent since he started using Twitter.
"It’s the best return on investment of any marketing we’re doing,” he added.
Long Island-based commercial banks, however, have yet to jump into the social networking fray.
That doesn’t surprise Art Loomis, president of Albany-based Northeast Capital since banks in the local region also haven’t adopted mobile banking, which was the last big technology upgrade for big banks.
"Community banks tend to be followers of technology, not leaders,” he said. "A community bank’s real niche is that customer touch, so all the Internet stuff helps the younger folks, but most of your really valuable banking customers are older.”
The customers secured through social media wouldn’t become profitable to a bank for about 10 to 15 years, and since many institutions are now short on cash because of the recession, time and resources would be better spent targeting the over 50 crowd that makes community banks the most money, Loomis said.
Effron added that social networking sites such as Twitter are not helpful to small business-centered banks, as many of the Island’s institutions are.
"You have to look at who this appeals to and it’s the younger, emerging customer,” she said. "This is not a commercial banking approach.”
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Somerset Mortgage Lenders, with their main offices right in the heart of Long Island, have been in the mortgage business for 30 years; currently located at 290 Broadhollow Rd Suite 310 E in Melville, NY 11746. They pride themselves on attaining the highest ethical and moral standards and is dedicated to providing quality mortgage products at value pricing to our customer. Somerset has a long-standing history of servicing its local community as a reliable mortgage company. Our goal is to establish a successful partnership with our customers, staff, investors, and markets that respect the interest and goals of each party. Somerset Investors Corp. has been built on the belief that to be successful in mortgage banking it must first begin by molding itself as a customer service firm that provides quality service to the public.
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