MoneyCafe.com

We did our bank and lender survey a little earlier this week to show the recent jump in mortgage rates.  Here is a look at some of the best interest rates for deposits and loans from national banks and lenders. (Surveyed Friday morning.)

Rates are APY (Annual Percentage Yield)
Assumption: $10,000 deposit

Rates are APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
Assumptions when available:  $320,000 conforming loan,
20% down, excellent credit, documented income,
priced with approximately 1 point loan cost (+/- .25 point)
California property  (Rates Survey between Friday and Monday)

This weekend TrustedID is offering 18 months protection for the price of 12 months.  Click here to take advantage of the promotion – Receive 18 months of Identity Theft Protection for the price of 12 months from TrustedID (ends 5/31/09).  They also offer a 30 day risk-free trial.  (See below.)

TrustedID has a complete identity theft protection program.  The services they provide include:

• Financial identity protection
• Medical benefits protection
• Social Security benefits protection
• Online security to detect and remove spyware from your computer 
• Lost wallet protection to help cancel accounts and help replace cards
• Family protection for children and family members living in your household
• CreditLock to prevent credit bureaus from releasing your credit report

See also:
http://www.moneycafe.com/personal/featured/idtheft.htm

Freddie Mac published their Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey today.   Their survey shows mortgage rates were ticking up with an average 30 year fixed rate home loan priced at 4.91%.  This is still just above the survey’s all time low a few weeks ago of 4.78%.  This particular survey is not truly reflective of the mid-week rate jump. 

See:
http://www.moneycafe.com/library/mortgagerates.htm

E*Trade announced a new iPhone App this week called E*TRADE Mobile Pro for iPhone.  The App provides the same core functionality as the desktop and is fully synchronized in real time with the online account.  (They also have an service for BlackBerry users – see https://us.etrade.com/e/t/mobile_pro/.)

Customers are provided:

• Streaming real-time quotes, news and market information
• Easy stock and options trading
• Live accounts, watch lists and portfolios
• Quick free cash transfers

See also:
http://www.moneycafe.com/markets/
http://www.moneycafe.com/markets/stockscreening.htm

Freddie Mac published their Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey today.   Their survey shows mortgage rates were fairly stable over last week with an average 30 year fixed rate home loan priced at 4.84%.  This is still just above the survey’s all time low a few weeks ago of 4.78%.  This confirms that mortgage rates have found a short term range near the all time bottom. 

See:
http://www.moneycafe.com/library/mortgagerates.htm

This week Quicken Online, which is a free service, released a new free iPhone App called Quicken Online Mobile.  The new app features:

• A dynamic tilt and turn Money Forecaster which is a forward-looking visual representation of your cash so you know if you can spend what you want and still have enough to pay the bills.
• Tracking spending on the go where you simply enter your cash or other transactions and you’ll be updated real-time with Quicken Online so you have the most current view of your money.
• A GPS-enabled ATM Finder to help you avoid unwanted ATM fees.  The app points you to the closest ATM from your own bank so you don’t have to pay to withdraw money.
• Updated balances from all of your accounts: Includes checking, savings, investments and loans – in one place from over 8,500 financial institutions.
• Secure mobile access to your account information.
• The only app on the iPhone that gives you a forward-looking view of  your money so you can avoid costly mistakes.
• Easy budgeting on the go, so you can set budget goals and track how you’re doing before you’re at the register making a purchase.