Debt agreements rise to avoid bankruptcy

Nearly 50,000 people have used debt agreements in the past five years, resulting in a 20 per cent decline in bankruptcies, according to new figures.

Debt

Cassandras poised as debt sales surge

Harry Wilson Sales of high-yield debt – or, as they were once known, junk bonds – have exploded this year, raising fears that the world is setting itself up for another crash.

Tougher stand taken on credit files

John Kavanagh The information held on consumer credit files will change in the coming year so that lenders, utility suppliers and telcos can find out more about the way we use credit.

Choosing the right contract

Barbara Drury Buying a family home or investment property is a significant financial commitment, so it makes sense to share the burden with some form of joint ownership.

Back-up plan needed

Home-loan repayments are taking increasingly bigger chunks out of the household budget. John Kavanagh looks at the fallout.

A guarantor's key decisions

Barbara Drury Helping your child climb onto the housing ladder by guaranteeing a loan is a serious commitment.