No Fax Payday Loans - Paperless Loans

As soon as you finalise the loan terms with a lender, the first thing that you remember to do is to fax your papers to the loan provider. Before the documents can be faxed they have to be arranged. There are always a few documents that you remember at the last moment. To add to the commotion is the fax machine itself. If you have your own fax machine then it is good. If not, you have to spend hours locating the fax machine. Then also there are problems of the documents not reaching in full or the print being too vague.

These problems are enough to make you think of a way out of the faxing requirement. As if God heard your prayer, and commanded of the loan providers to develop no fax payday loans.

No fax payday loan is exactly what borrowers in the UK will prefer. With no faxing requirement, they can go about their work freely.

This forms one of the principal distinguishing features of no fax payday loans. The characteristics of a no fax payday loan are such that can do without documentation. The amount that one becomes eligible for under payday loans is very less. Borrowers can draw an amount in the range of ₤40 to ₤800. The loan proceeds are to be used for such needs as could have been met through the borrower's salary, had he not emptied it in the middle of the month. Regular loans where large amounts are exchanged cannot be approved unless the borrower sends his documents.

The faster pace of approval of no fax payday loans can be owed to this absence of documentation. The loan provider can at once approve the borrower on receiving his details through an online application. Fast approval forms one of the important motivators to use no fax payday loans.

One cannot postpone certain needs for long, particularly when these needs form the essentials like food or rent for your accommodation. It is these needs that come up for disbursal through the no fax payday loan. Delay in their approval can result in customer dissatisfaction.

Borrower must confirm a few details about the loan provider who has been selected to process the no fax payday loan. Firstly, that they must be reputable and must have an experience in processing payday loans.

No fax payday loans do require of the borrower to fulfil certain prerequisites before forwarding their case for approval. The requirements are as follows:

o The borrower must have completed 18 years of age.

o The borrower must have a bank account in which the borrowers' salary is directly paid in.

o The borrower's bank must have a direct debit facility.

o Certain loan providers desire that the borrower must have a chequebook.

Payday loans are generally offered as secured loans. It isn't any asset that goes towards guaranteeing repayments. It is only through a post dated cheque that borrower agrees to make time repayments on the no fax payday loan. The loan provider will present the post dated cheque on the date payments are due. The due date for final repayment of no fax payment loan is generally a week or a month. As soon as the borrower receives his next months paycheque he pays off the loan. It will also be in the interest of the borrower to quickly relieve himself of the burden of payment. This is because of a very high rate of interest chargeable on no fax payday loans. Borrowers cannot escape the high interest rate because a no fax payday loan is a short term loan which is characteristically of high interest rate.

The higher interest rates must not however be the reason to abstain from no fax payday loans. The ability of no fax payday loans to arrange cash within a very short notice makes them an inevitable companion of the present day's individual, who is always in the habit of exceeding his limits while spending.

No Credit Check Payday Loans To Escape Delay Through Credit Checks

Your plans to get loan proceeds released in haste can be marred because of credit checks. A credit check would involve studying the credit report of the borrower. With a clean credit report you can hope to qualify for approval within a few days. But, if loan providers smell some or other deformities in your credit report, you are bound to get a delayed approval; sometimes as late as weeks.

A no credit check payday loan may have been born of the intention to save borrowers of the unduly delay in credit checks. Through no credit check payday loans, borrowers can draw small amount loans (in the range of £40 to £1000) to be returned within a week or a month.

Borrowers with bad credit will heave a sigh of relief on finally discovering a loan where past credit defaults are not given sufficient weightage. For drawing regular loans, borrowers with bad credit history always have to face a step-motherly treatment. No credit check payday loans allow bad credit borrowers to draw loans at par with the borrowers with bad credit.

The needs to be covered through a no credit check payday loan are characterised with urgency. Borrowers cannot delay satisfying these needs for long. Had it not been for an unexpected expenditure, the borrower would have easily met the routine needs through his monthly salary. A no credit check payday loans can easily supplement the vacuum created by the shortage of ones personal income.

Though no credits check payday loan takes off a larger chunk of the paperwork and the hassles associated with borrowing, there are certain requirements that borrowers still have to fulfill. While a few requirements are common with every loan provider, lenders may have different points of view on certain others. The essentials where almost every lender has a common view is that the borrower must be employed and be over 18 years of age. The borrower must have his salary directly transferred to his bank account.

However, on the issue of collateral, the lenders have different stands. While the first group maintains that payday loans must be secured, the other group does not. The first group of lenders would demand of the borrower to present a post-dated cheque in support of their pledge for repayment. The cheque would be dated as the day when the payday loan is to be repaid. The loan provider would, unless the borrower requests for term extension, present the post-dated cheque on the due date in the borrowers bank account and get the amount back.

The proponents of the unsecured no credit check payday loans demand no such collateral. Borrowers who are looking for an unsecured payday loan will be especially benefited through this.

Assuming that the borrower has fulfilled every criteria stated by the loan provider, the no check payday loan would be approved in no time. The borrower will find the loan proceeds credited directly to his bank account by the next working day or within 24hours of application.

At times, this rule does not hold good. The payday loan will not be approved within the stated time period. Before criticizing the lender for his failure to do so, it will be advisable to look at ones own faults, if any, during the application stage. Many a times, borrowers misspell certain important details in the application form or write numbers incorrectly. The loan provider instantly rejects such applications. Consequently, borrowers must be careful while filling the no credit check payday loan application. He must be especially vigilant while submitting his name, amount of payday loan required, and his bank details.

No credit check payday loans carry a very high rate of interest. An important reason behind this is that payday loans is a short-term loan. All short-term loans are expensive. Consequently, borrowers need to be cautious while using them to finance monthly expenses. And, if these are taken, then borrowers must try repay them within the due time period to prevent them from adding too much interest.

Payday Loans, A Viable Option?

What are payday loans?

Payday loans are short-term loans that are extended between two pay days. A payday loan is normally provided for 14 days. The borrower, on acceptance of the loan conditions, provides a check favoring the lender as security against the loan. On the due date, the lender deposits this check to recover the loan dues. The due date is generally the next pay day of the borrower. No credit checks are conducted for granting payday loans. Therefore, the FICO score of the borrower is irrelevant. It doesn't matter whether the borrower has a bad credit history, or has no credit history, or has declared bankruptcy.

Qualifications for payday loans

To qualify for a payday loan, the borrower needs to fulfill all of the following conditions. There are no exceptions.

o You must be a US citizen.

o You must at least 18 years of age.

o You must be at a full time job currently and must be at this job for at least three months.

o You must either have an active checking account or a savings account.

o Your after tax salary should be at least $ 1,000 or you must have a fixed income of $800.

Cost of payday loans

Payday loans carry a very high cost. Generally the lender fees for a $ 100 payday loan is anywhere between $15 and $25. It should be remembered that this fee is for 14 days as the loan itself is extended for these many days only. If one considers the cost on an annual percentage rate (APR) basis, the average is 391%, which by any standard is exorbitant. By law, it is mandatory for the lender to specify the APR to the borrower. Many lenders do compare the cost of payday loan against other forms of financing; but the common denominator of such a comparison is that all of them are very expensive.

When to avail of payday loans?

Payday loans should be availed only during emergencies. Considering the fact that the cost of carrying a payday loan is very high, it should be a resource of last resort. If one implements good budgeting techniques and has a good financial plan, the need for borrowing by way of payday loans can be minimized. Moreover, one must ensure that a payday loan is paid on time. Payday loans should not be rolled over or extended as within no time the borrower will find himself or herself in a debt trap where money may have to be borrowed just to repay the interest.

Profile of a payday loan borrower

o A typical payday loan customer is between 25 and 40 years of age with an annual income anywhere between $ 25,000 and $ 50,000.

o According to the US Census report of Year 2000, the results of the payday loan borrowers survey are:

22% of those surveyed hold a bachelor's degree.

51% of those surveyed have a retirement savings plan.

In excess of two-thirds of those surveyed have a savings account.

More than two-thirds of those surveyed have an annual income of at least $ 25,555.

Why are Payday loans popular?

They are popular for a number of reasons such as:

o Credit checks are not required. The personal check that you make payable to the lender acts as security.

o Approval is quick. If all the necessary documents are submitted, your loan application maybe approved in minutes.

o The paperwork involved is simple. Generally one or two documents would suffice which explains the loan process and your obligations.

o The repayment process is without hassles. The check submitted as security is encashed on the next payday by the lender. You could extend the loan to subsequent paydays for a fee. However this is very expensive.

o Easy availability. Payday loans are particularly appropriate for emergency situations provided the amount required is small and one is willing to bear the high cost of the loan.

In summary, payday loans might be a viable option if you need cash and need it fast. You still should be careful who you are working with to obtain your loan. If you don't need money right away, there is probably a better solution for you.

Military Payday Loans! The Before Pay Check Financial Fiasco, is History Now

Working under the most prestigious service of the country - military - and still struggling with ends to meet! Are finances crumbling on you? And you thinking of another job? Will it easy to maintain two jobs? How would it affect your life? Is there a guarantee that the second job will solve the financial crunch? Military payday loans can offer respite from these queries, if your cash problems are temporary.

'Temporary' is the term to concentrate when you are applying for military payday loans. Only small lived financial problems can sanction military payday loans. Urgent medical needs, several bills, and unplanned expenses which are not covered by paycheck - military payday loans are normally meant for these 'emergency' situations.

Military payday loans are not very different from usual payday loans. Also known as cash advance loans, they are offered to qualified military personnel on their ability to repay the loans. For military payday loans, a borrower has to give a post dated check to the loan lender. This will authorize the lender to withdraw the amount form the bank account. The authorization can also be in the form of electronic debit. The loan lender will keep this authorization for a week which is usually the time during which the borrower can pay back the loan in cash in exchange of the original check. The borrower will then deposit the check in the borrower's account. Otherwise, if the borrower is not ready, the military payday loan can be renewed or rolled over. The military payday loan can be extended for any time period but the loan lender receives payment for every extensions.

Military payday loans are in fact very easy to qualify for. The first requirement with military payday loans is a current valid bank account and a regular income which being in military, you already have. A veteran or an active member both can apply for military payday loans. The loan lender can also look whether a person spouse or a family member can qualify for the loan. You might have to provide some personal information which may help in computing how much money you can take. Government identification makes it easy for military personnel to access military payday loans from any part of the world. Lenders have different policies with regard to loan lending, so they might not forward military payday loans to certain divisions of military. Military personnel can also be asked for paychecks, to see your monthly income. Because of the identification with the military, military payday loans are offered with bad credit also.

The interest rates of military payday loans are high. The typical interest rates charged are 25-30%. This can vary from person to person depending on the circumstances. Their resourcefulness can be put to use for education, home improvement, computer financing and any other personal need.

Military payday loans [http://www.easyfinance4u.com/payday.html] come with a downside. According to Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 123a and 134, default with military payday loans is a punishable offence. There can be strict penalties including confinement, clearance, court marshal, transfer or even discharge. The consequences for military personnel are much stricter than regular payday loans.

There is a lot of hue and cry about military payday loans. These loans are in fact used to target soldiers. Instead of fulfilling emergency needs, they are dragging them into huge debt situation. The promise of quick cash seems promising at first. In order to pay for one payday loan, you take another and eventually have so much debt to pay and that too a very high interest rate. There are astounding interest rates the debt is so high without any possibility of payment. Military payday loans are strictly meant for short term shortfall. If military personnel are not sure about their ability to repay - then it is not the course for them. There will be serious consequences on their financial position not to mention the emotional effect which affects their job productivity. In fact military personnel are the ones who are the prime targets of payday loans.

Military payday loans have grown in popularity and that has given rise to many loan lenders offering them. On one hand military payday loans are a good way to improve finances, but they can form a debt trap if not managed well. The best military payday loans do not discriminate between military personnel and would have interest rates lower than usual payday loans. A military profession doesn't always offer financial fulfillment like other working class. But with military payday loan, you can restore monetary concerns that sprout just before the paycheck delivers.

Military Payday Loans

What is a payday loan? This is a small short-term loan for employees who are categorically perceived as those belonging to the lower socio-demographic class because they have no other financial options except to apply for a cash advance payday loan. The borrowers apply payday loans to bridge the cash flow gap between their paydays. Or sometimes, advanced cash payday loan usually provides cash for occurrences of emergencies in time of cash flow problem. This type of loan is typically handed out to the borrower in the form of cash and secured only of the borrower's postdated check which may amount to the original loan principal and as well as the accrued interest. Payment is processed through in the maturity date by a traditional check or through electronic withdrawal from the client's checking account. A military payday loan is one very common type everywhere in the world.

Military payday loans are intended specifically for the military men and women. No matter what is the rank or grade, those who served the armed forces are eligible for the application of a military payday loan. If a military man needs cash but payday is still far, he can apply for an instant military payday loan. An advantage of military payday loans is that application can be obtained wherever a military man may be. Many countries have already contracted online services to make payday loan services more accessible. So that whenever a military man resides, he can go online and fill out necessary forms and then send the application. If approved, cash advance may be received through an electronic funds transfer. Instant military payday loans are quick and easy because funds were provided specially for the military men and women's emergency financial needs. Online application is secured and protected so transactions are safe and kept in privacy.

Another advantage of payday loans for military is its lower rates than other types of cash advance loans. Also, the military are also given option for choosing repayment schedule. If they cannot afford to pay it with one payday check, they can always pay back the loan with the next paychecks. Military loan companies are everywhere. Most of them understand the needs of the military man/woman and families. They knew how can a military man or woman affords so they these military payday loan companies how to equate the interests for their cash advance loans. Other military loan companies offer kind of loans that will aid servicemen to acquire new home, cars, or other things that might require higher expense. These companies offer easy and affordable mortgage plans. Basically, instant payday loans will afford military men and families an easier and keep finances in order.

Application for an instant military loan is also offered through phone line and is directly assisted with military loan consultant. Most reputable and reliable military loan companies are available for the customers. Military cash loans are not only available for active military men. There are also military corporate consumers loans companies who offer this same service to the retired military men. Retired armed forces men normally want to apply for a fast cash loan when circumstances of sudden need of large amount of money is needed like unexpected bills. Like the aforementioned type of instant cash payday loans, retired military loans also do not discriminate the ranks and grades of the former servicemen. As long as they have served the country and meet other related requirements, these men are also eligible for an application. And, likewise, best military cash loans provide lower interest rates than any other type of cash lending companies.

A military profession is a job that has stable and security guarantees. They are typically given grants and greater benefits than other employee types but one disadvantage is that they are not well compensated much like other working class. That's why loan companies have sprouted all over the world to answer financial difficulties a military man usually encounters. To alleviate these men from difficulties, they only need to provide lending institution the necessary papers like military ETS, personal information, and of course checking account number. After approval, cash would be in their hands to improve their financial condition.

Why Starve Your Needs When Payday Loans are there to Gratify Them

The long awaited paycheque is finally here. However, the reverie with the paycheque is not expected to last long, because of the various expenses yelling for their fulfilment. Having spent a major part of his income the individual is left with nothing or very less to tend even to the day-to-day expenses. Had fasting or some other ways of postponing the needs been of help, the individuals would have readily tried them. However, they rarely do help.

A more viable solution for these mid monthly blues are payday loans. Payday loans offer a solution to the problem. Instant cash is made available through payday loans to enable borrowers meet the needs.

Fast approval of payday loans:

It is often contended as to why people opt for payday loans when other loans can also be used. This is because the process of approval of other loans is long drawn as various valuations and checks are involved. Payday loans, being needed for urgent needs cannot do with the delay. Hence payday loans, that are approved in as little as 24 hours.

Payday loans are short-term loans that are repayable within the next payday. Since they are taken in order to meet the day-to-day expenses, the maximum amount lent is £500. Payday loans are secured loans having the next month's salary as the collateral.

Eligibility for payday loan:

Thus, it can be ascertained that employment is a prerequisite for the payday loans. Most lenders desire a borrower to be employed for a period of at least 90 days. An unemployed person may not qualify for the loan. Along with employment, the borrower will have to fulfil the following basic criteria for getting the payday loan:

o The salary or income received in any form must be deposited directly into the bank.

o The borrower must have a bank account.

o The borrower must have a chequebook or debit card.

The process of payday loans starts with the application by the borrower. With more and more lenders offering their services through internet, borrowers' task has been eased. An application faxed to the lenders gets a much speedier response. The money is transferred to the borrowers' bank account through wire transfer.

Types of payday loans:

There are various types of payday loans doing the rounds of the loans market nowadays. Some of them are as follows:

INSTANT PAYDAY LOAN

Some lenders term their payday loans as instant payday loans. In fact, payday loans are designed to offer fast cash. Thus terming ones product as an instant payday loan is like adding synonymous adjectives.

NO FAX PAYDAY LOAN

A no fax payday loan requires the borrower to have a higher credit score. A high credit score is seen as a higher credibility. The value of the property must be about two to three times of the annual income received by the borrower. The more is the value of the home, the more will the borrower be able to receive as payday loans.

ONLINE PAYDAY LOAN

Online Payday loans are the loans that are available through the internet. These loans are quickly approved to enable borrowers to have instant cash. Borrowers apply by filling the online application form available on the website of the loan providers.

However, the caution "think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it" must be strictly adhered to. A payday loan cannot be used every time a financial crises crops up. Large number of loans will require a larger repayment, thus making them difficult to be borne. A more judicious use of the monthly income and the habit of saving will help in improving the financial scenario to a large extent.

Fast Cash Payday Loans Information

In today's world of a decreased job market, high interest rates, and bankruptcy around every corner, it is easy to get wrapped up in statements such as, fast cash, no fees upfront, and no credit checks. These words make it seem like all of our financial struggles suddenly have a quick fix. Payday loans and cash advance loans use these very words to entice people and give them a quick and easy solution to their money woes. Although these programs do hold true to their words and they indeed do give you fast cash, they are by no means a permanent solution to a hopefully temporary situation.

In essence, a payday loan is a way for a borrower to receive their paycheck in advance in order to pay their expenses. The borrower can either go to a payday lending store to receive the loan or they can apply online through an internet lending company and receive sometimes up to $1500. In most cases the borrower must present a copy of a check, employer information, bank information, and their Social Security number. If processed online, the loan will get direct deposited in their account. A couple weeks will then pass and it will be time for the borrower to repay the loan. However, such a situation does not pan out penny for penny. On top of the loan amount, the borrower will also have to pay a large interest rate of 15 to 30 percent for that two week loan period. That comes out to 390 percent to 780 percent of an annual percentage rate. They will also have to pay a loan fee which is normally around $15 for every $100 borrowed.

In the present internet driven world, the majority of payday loans are most likely applied for and processed online. Many companies such as Personal Cash Advance, Cash Net USA, and Personal Money Store make it fast, easy, and accessible to cover your expenses when money is tight. Not only do they promise to get you the money you need but they vow to do it in only a couple of minutes. Many people today are attracted to the idea that everything they need is available to them at the click of a mouse. Therefore, companies that operate completely on the internet and with fast results will really appeal to such borrowers.

Personal Cash Advance is one of the online companies that offer instant cash to those who need to now. While many people might know that by getting into such an offer they will be facing high interest rates, such companies still try and sell their service by stating that "customers choose payday advances to cover small, unexpected expenses while avoiding costly bounced check fees and late payment penalties." At personalcashadvance.com you can, "get your cash direct deposited overnight, apply and process your loan completely online, have flexible payment options, and the whole experience will be fast, easy, confidential, and secure." Although all their words hold true in such luring advertisements, does the end really justify the means? For some it might. When those unexpected expenses come up payday loans can absolutely help you get through those couple weeks until you can get back on track. But for others this short term quick fix could make a long term problem if it is time to pay the loan back and the borrower still does not have the money. Just like any other expense owed, the company that loaned the money will attempt to get their payment and if the borrower does not have sufficient funds it could result in more fees and more problems.

Creditloan.com offers a wide variety of services such as auto loans, cash advances, personal loans, and credit reports. However, aside from such services, they offer tons of information and tips about such loans and financial situations. Through their own services and many archives of articles, this online company can help provide you with both service and knowledge which is crucial when dealing with financial hardships. In their article stated, 'Payday loans can further you into debt' creditloan.com provides consumers with the information they need when considering a payday loan or cash advance. While they state that in the case of an emergency such loans can work just fine, they also persuade borrowers to pay attention and read all the fine print so that they know exactly what they are getting into.

The article states that, "Once the money gets deposited in the borrower's salary account the next month, the check that the lender has with him is cashed. The check amount includes the fees, interest rates and other costs associated with the payday loans. The administrative fee on the loans is high and a borrower, at times, unknowingly pays more than what is asked for. This creates a dent in the financial life of the borrower."

Therefore, while such loans can be a savior in a small and unexpected emergency, for those borrowers who will not be able to supply the funds by the next pay check, plus some, such loans can just further your financial dilemma.

The article further goes on to state some tips when thinking about and applying fro a payday loan. These tips include, researching interest rates and trying to find the lowest rates, read all the terms and conditions so that you know all of the rates and fees attached to the loan, make sure that you are only getting a payday loan when absolutely necessary and you will be able to pay it off in full at the end of the month, and never get such loans more than one month in a row otherwise you will be facing even higher fees and interest rates than before.

Aside from receiving their paycheck in advance through a payday loan, a cash advance is another quick cash alternative for unexpected expenses or when you suddenly find yourself without a positive balance in your bank account. The main difference between a cash advance and a payday loan is a cash advance is a loan that is taken out against a person's credit card or their line of credit. When a person takes out a cash advance the interest rate that is applied to the cash advance is normally higher than the interest rate applied to their monthly charges.

The Payday loans and Cash Advance Consumer Guide is a great resource for learning about such loans, their pros and cons, and helping consumers decide what is really best for them and their financial situation. With everything from definitions to tips to state laws, this guide is crucial for those considering a payday or cash advance loan.

While this website does give the positive sides of such loans, they do not shy away from the consequences of getting into such a loan. They state their pros of such loans as, "such advances are easy to obtain, a credit check is not necessary, a payday loan or cash advance can be approved and processed quickly and funds can be received the next business day, they require no collateral, such loans and advances require less paperwork than traditional loans, payday loans and cash advance companies are easy to come by both in store and online, and such loans and advances provide that quick cash one needs when something unexpected happens."

As stated before, this company states the consequences of such loans and advances as "having very high fees and interest rates, if the loan or advance is not repaid the borrower can quickly go into very high amounts of debt, some payday loan and cash advance companies utilize unscrupulous, unethical and, sometimes, illegal means to collect on defaulted loans, such loans do not solve long-term financial problems but only help in the short term, they are illegal in some states, many payday loans and cash advance companies make borrowers sign contracts stipulating terms that are highly favorable to the lender and not the borrower, and some payday loan companies have been known to resort to unscrupulous and unethical means in order to collect on a loan."

The consumer guide also offers a wide variety of information regarding state laws by stating that, "Federal laws governing small loans were first developed in the early part of the twentieth century. These laws arose in response to the problem of loan sharking. Today, payday loans are regulated under state laws. Whether or not a payday or cash advance is legal where you live, depends on the laws and regulations of your state."

Currently there are 23 states that have laws legalizing and regulating payday loans and cash advances. In such states, licenses and registration of the loans and advances are required for the companies to have in order to carry out such processes legally. Included in licensing and registration, many states also have regulations and restrictions, "prohibiting payday loan rollovers, a maximum number of payday loans that any consumer may have at any given time, and prohibiting payday loan companies from filing criminal charges against consumers who fail to pay their debts." Therefore, with proper placement of such rules and regulations, borrowers can apply for and receive loans and such loans are monitored in a legal and organized way. The states with these additional restrictions include, "Arkansas, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming."

The Payday Loan and Cash Advance Consumer Guide also offers a great set of 10 tips for borrowers to remember before applying for a payday loan or cash advance:

1. Always try and repay your payday loan or cash advance in full when it is due without extending it.

2. Make sure you read the fine print of any payday loan or cash advance contract before you sign it. If you do not understand anything or have doubts, do not sign.

3. Before obtaining a payday loan or cash advance, check with the Better Business Bureau to see how reputable the company is and if it has any complaints.

4. Always consider alternative loan sources before you decide on a payday loan or cash advance. Consider family, friends, your credit union, a local bank, even a credit card.

5. If you intend to obtain a payday loan or cash advance, make sure you have access to your recent employment pay-stubs as well as your bank account information.

6. Be sure to know exactly when your payday loan or cash advance is due and take the necessary steps to repay that loan on time.

7. Start saving an emergency cash fund of, say, $500. That way, you can avoid payday loans in the future.

8. Unless you use payday loans and cash advance loans very sparingly, we strongly suggest going for credit counseling in order to learn how to successfully budget and save.

9. Beware of bounced checks when you have insufficient funds to repay a payday loan or cash advance company. These fees can add up quick and can sometimes be quite high. In addition, your bank might also charge you fees.

10. File a complaint with your state agency if you feel you have been treated unfairly or illegally by any payday loan or cash advance company.

Everyone has financial worries, problems, and dilemmas at some point in their life. And in today's society when financial woes seem like a trend that will never go out of style, there is no reason to feel alone when money gets tight. However do not get caught up in the bright advertisements for fast cash and overnight direct deposit. Know exactly what you are getting yourself into and before you get into it make sure that in the short term you will also be able to get yourself out of it.

The Principle of Payday Loan - Learn How to Get Fast Cash in 45 Minutes

Do you know that payday loan is not for every body? Do you know that payday loan is initiated to help people in urgent need for cash and not for luxury? Do you know that payday advance only gives out maximum of $1500 dollars? Do you know that payday advance is a short term loan with a loan period of 15 to 31 days? Do you know that only people above 18 years can apply for cash advance and get approved? Do you know that only people with a checking or a savings account can apply and get approval for payday loan? Do you know that payday loan is a high interest loan? Do you know that payday lenders will not approve your application if you apply with more than one company?

If you have know the above fundamentals of cash advance, all you need to do to get fax less payday loan to get easy access to cash is to apply them to your application and get the cash you need as fast as possible. You can get cash transferred to your account in the next 1 hour if you follow the above principles.

First, you must know that payday loan is not for every body and you must work your self fit for the loan service before you apply, if you don't do that, your application will be decline. So if you need fax less payday loan, you need to make sure you have all it takes to apply and get approval before you venture into applying for fax less payday loan.

Secondly, you need to know that payday loan is initiated to help people in urgent need for cash and not for luxury. The initiation of fax less payday loan makes it easier for borrowers to get fast cash to fix urgent financial needs. If you want to apply for payday loan, you have to make sure that the need for the cash is worth it before you apply for the loan package because payday loan is capable of indebting you if you can not pay back on the stipulated date. You also need to know that payday lenders are aiming at low income earners to make more profit because the longer you hold on to the loaned amount, the more money they make.

Thirdly, if you need fast cash and you want to apply for fax less payday advance, you need to apply with a company that will credit your account without credit check and without fax, but you also need to know that payday loan only gives out $1500 dollars at the moment. If you need any amount more than $1500, you have to look for another form of loan service.

Fourthly, you need to know that payday loan is a short term loan, the loan package only last a period of 15 to 31 days. This loan service is giving in advance to your pay check. Your pay day is the repayment date. Most times, you will pay back hassles free as lender will withdraw the loaned and amount and the interest directly from your bank after your payday.

Fifth point, you need to know that only people with a checking or a saving account are eligible for the loan package because the loaned amount will be transferred directly to your account and the lenders will also withdraw the loaned amount and the interest from your account after your payday. Before you can get approval for this loan service, you account must be at least 3 to 6 month old and it must have a credible financial history.

Sixth point, before you can apply for this loan service, you must be at least 18 years and above. If you are not up to 18 years, your application will be decline by lenders. So before you can apply for fax less payday advance service, you must be at least 18 years.

Seventh point, you need to know that fax less payday advance is a high interest loan and if you want to apply for this loan service you must be careful so that you don't pay exorbitant rate during repayment. If you want to apply for fax less payday advance, you need to apply with the company that will give you the most moderate interest rate package before you apply for their service. Payday advance is very enticing due to the quick cash service attached to the loan service, but if you want fax less payday loan service to get quick cash, you must also consider the interest package on the loaned amount before you apply for the loan service.

Eighth point, you need to know that payday lender will not approve your application if you apply with more than one company at the same time. If you want to apply foe fax less payday loan for easy approval, you need to avoid multiple applications with more than one company. If you apply with more than one company at a time, your application will be decline in both companies.

The PayDay Loan Web - Don't Be a Needy Fly That Gets Caught in This Web

my personal payday loan story that can help you

the term payday loan starts with the letter "p" which is the same letter that starts off the words pain, penalty, poor and poverty. Both the internet and the physical world are full of places where you can get a loan with bad credit, no credit check, and no employment verification but what these modern day loan sharks don't tell you is that their interest rates are so high that one day you may end up with the payday loan mafia coming after you!

Sure, these loans look very attractive to those in financial need that are unable to get a loan by conventional means but when the facts are presented what you have to pay back just isn't worth it. This fictional character that we all refer to as "guido" which is the person that comes to break your arms and legs when you don't pay a loan shark back is in existence in a different way when it comes to payday loans. Instead of your arms and legs the payday loan guido comes after your heart, soul and peace of mind.

Payday loan places make their offerings look so attractive but it is all an illusion because who can really see when they are desperate? What you don't want to happen is for what appears to be a temporary solution to become a long term problem and many times that is exactly what happens.

I've been caught in the payday loan otherwise known as payday advance web many times. Sometimes life's circumstances leave us very few choices and we decide to do what we feel like we have to do to buy gas and put food on the table. Like I said, i've been there before and as a survivor of payday loan debt I have knowledge that can help you.

I want you to ask yourself a question which is, "if you don't have enough money to get by what makes you think you can payoff a loan with 300%- 700% interest?" You might as well sell your first born child. Payday loans may seem good in the short run and you may get instant gratification and even a rush when you hold that cash in your hands or see it in your bank account but in the long run it is a race that many can't win.

My story, like many, was that I obtained payday loans to cover immediate expenses I needed cash for but didn't have money to pay the loans back so I got extension after extension paying out ungodly amounts of money. Before long I was getting new payday loans just to pay the other payday loans I had received. I was trapped in a vicious cycle with no way out and a ton of stress upon me. I became a needy fly caught in the payday loan web, especially since most of my loans were online loans; I was literally in a virtual web. The payday loan spider sucked the life blood out of my bank accounts and I didn't know what to do.

Please understand that you can't solve a problem with a problem and you can't come out debt by creating more debt. The solution to your debt starts with gaining additional income sources and paying off existing debt little by little so you can be free. In my own personal payday loan crisis I got up to almost $7, 000 worth of payday loans and when renewal payment time came my entire paycheck was gone. This is a miserable experience that I pray you can avoid. You might already be at this state but even if you are I have some suggestions for you that will offer hope.

The first thing you have to do is to make a conscious decision to get out of this situation. Decide to change and become a butterfly rather than a fly caught up in the payday loan web. When a caterpillar is going through the metamorphosis in the cocoon in order to become a butterfly there is a struggle. The struggle is in fact what makes the butterfly great because the struggle to get out of the cocoon transformed actually pushes fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings so that it can emerge in beautiful flight. This process may be a little painful but it will help you fly and be what you were made to be.

One thing that I did was to become an affiliate for payday loan companies so that I could get paid from other people acquiring payday loans. Some people are just going to get them so there is no reason why you shouldn't get paid from the process that made you pay so much. The second thing I did is what really helped me which was to get a payday loan consolidation company to take on my debt at a reduced amount and pay the payday loans back for me on my behalf. It was one of the best choices I ever made and it was a way out of the payday loan web.

You can do a Google search to find companies that will represent you in this way but do your research and make sure that the company you choose is credible. I used pdl assistance, inc. They require an upfront fee to take your case but they will work with you on paying it and it is around $200. Next you set up a plan to pay them a monthly amount on your payday loan debt and they pay your debtors directly. They will give you different term options to pay the debt off and they will deal with the payday loan companies for you. Doing this took a huge weight off of me. I got a 12 month term to repay my payday loan debt at 35% of what I owed the payday loan companies. The $400 a month I was paying on this plan was much better than the $700 plus every two weeks I was paying for all the loans I had.

One important thing to know when you start a payday loan consolidation program is that the payday loan companies are going to call you to collect. When they call just give them the information for the company that is representing you and let them know that the debt is going to be repaid to them as part of a loan/debt consolidation program you have initiated. I obtained the fax numbers to my payday loan companies and sent them notification on who to contact regarding the repayment of my loans. If you do this make sure to include your account number and social security number so they can properly locate your account.

Some companies will continue to try and collect from you in spite of this so I have another suggestion if this happens. If you get numerous collection calls after you have informed them about your debt consolidation you need to fax and/or send them a cease and desist letter. You can get a template off the internet and submitting this letter will stop the collection calls while your debt consolidation program is in the works.

Another tip is to close the bank account you have the loan fees being deducted from if possible. You will want to start a new account before you close your existing account and under no circumstances get payday loans under the new account. You have to treat the payday loan habit like an addiction. If you are going to stop it then stop it because replicating the mistake will only make things worse for you.

If you need money then get bad credit credit cards and pay them on time to build your credit. Pay more than the minimum payment and use them to pay bills so you can pay what you need to pay while building your credit. No debt consolidation company can legally advise you to close your account but sometimes it is the only way to keep the payments from being processed and causing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in overdraft fees. For me this was the easiest way because I had so many loans and it would have cost me a $25 fee for every stop payment processed plus the bank could have missed some.

I also want you to know that the cease and desist letter can be used for any type of debt collection and not just payday loans. It is important to know your rights and you can find them out online at the federal trade commission's website where you can learn about the fair debt collection act. You will learn what creditors can and cannot do regarding the collection of your debts and how to stop inconvenient and harassing behavior.

I do not encourage anyone to get a payday loan because it can get out of control so easily. If you must get a payday loan be sure to get one with low fees well below the normal $30 per $100 borrowed.

If you need a low fee payday loan you can visit my website for a payday loan with reasonable fees by clicking on this link: Get a Loan [http://www.911moneyresource.com] I wish you much success and I look forward to seeing you debt and payday loan free.

Payday Loans

Paysaver Payday Loans makes Internet Lending "Easy"

Paysaver Payday Loans offers payday loan, cash advance loans and fast cash services for whatever you need.

At PaySaver Payday Loans we promote honesty and integrity and we were proud to have been named as "The Australian Payday Loans Specialists" by our peers. We were given this title because we were one of the first to perfect the payday loans business in Australia.

We recognised the need for people to have a safe, secure, simple & fast way of obtaining payday loans of small amounts of money without the hassles, delays and costs associated with formal bank applications.
We then developed a unique system of lending exclusively via the Internet and Fax which has proven to be the most cost effective, efficient and fastest way of obtaining payday loans to date.

Our slogan is "Your personal ATM on the net" because you now have the convenience of applying for payday loans from the safety, privacy and comfort of your computer.

Simply send us your payday loans application and 30 minutes later, upon approval, your money is sent directly to your account!

Can Paysaver Payday Loans it get any better than that? - Yes it can!

After your first loan is successfully repaid your payday loans you are promoted to PaySaver Express where your approval time is reduced to only 15 minutes.

PS. We have kept our payday loans prices the same since we started trading back in early 2004 and that is why we have the lowest payday loan fees in Australia!

Paysaver Payday Loans gets you the funds you need ASAP. Why wait for your cash advance when you can get it overnight? Our loans are 100% safe, fast and completely online - so think of us for your payday loan fast cash needs.

It keeps getting better! We've made it incredibly easy to qualify for payday loans by offering our industry-leading application process to you at no additional expense to you.

There are no credit bureau reports on your payday loans, never an application fee, and of course, no credit checks. If you are at least 18 years of age, receive a regular source of income, and have direct deposit enabled on your bank account, you're practically approved for Paysaver Payday Loans - don't wait any longer apply for payday loans as you can apply for these unsecured payday loans today!

We specialize in providing overnight payday loans for individuals who are in need. We strive to bring people of all types pay day loans that are reasonably priced, quickly deposited, and managed by a professional lending team - why settle for less when you get an advance on your payday loans today!
Need short term payday loans cash advance to take care of that emergency, that unforeseen bill or just to reward yourself? Paysaver Payday Loans is a fast and secure way to get payday loans from the privacy of your own home!

Applying and qualifying for a payday loans advance loan is quick and easy, and confidential and requires minimal faxing.

Once you're approved for our payday loans cash advance, we will electronically deposit the money directly into your checking or savings account. We offer flexible payment options and a discrete service that gets you the cash you need right now.

It's that easy, why not apply and make Paysaver Payday Loans your loyal partner today.
Ever run a little short of cash before your next payday?

It happens to most of us at some stage. A night out with friends, registering your car or maybe just paying a couple of bills? Nothing a few hundred dollar payday loans won't fix.

However, it can be frustrating if the cash is days away and you need it earlier….whatever the reason a Paysaver Payday loans is always there.

It's even harder if you've had a minor, bad credit mishap, are too busy to get away from work or don't want to commit to paying off a large, long term loan or credit card then try a Paysaver Payday Loans.
Paysaver Payday Loans has helped thousands of Australians in your situation with a convenient, clear and secure alternative. Quick turnaround times mean that you can be paid in as little as 20 minutes.

We know what it means to be short on cash. Sickness, Bills, past unemployment and unexpected emergencies can cause you to sell your assets, use savings or lose good credit, leaving banks and credit card companies in the future unwilling to help so don’t delay go to [http://www.paysaverloans.com] for payday loans now.

Paysaver Payday Loans! Regardless of your past, if you are currently employed and have a bank account, we can help you when it matters most.

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They have saved my countless times from embarrassing situations.

Auto Lease, Lease Assumption, and the Car Lease Swap

What is a car lease?

Buying and leasing are car are different. When you buy a car, you become responsible for the entire cost of the car, no matter how long you keep it or how often or far you drive it. When you obtain a new car lease, you only pay for a portion of the car-that is, the portion you "use" while you are driving it. And, unlike buying, leasing doesn't usually require a down-payment; although you may be responsible for paying certain fees and a security deposit. There are also penalties for terminating the car lease early. But whether buying or leasing is best depends upon your individual needs and circumstance. And if you do decide to lease, it doesn't necessarily mean you're stuck with that car for the duration of the lease term.

What is a lease assumption?

A lease assumption happens when you allow someone else to take over your lease in order to get out of your contract without incurring penalties. For instance, you've been driving your leased car for awhile now and want to exchange it for something different. Or perhaps you've found a car you'd really like to buy, but you can't afford both car payments and lease payments. The problem is you've still got 12 months left to go on your lease. If you end it now, it's going to cost you. Cue your brother, who thinks your car is quite nice and wouldn't mind driving it himself. Since his credit is good enough, your brother can assume your lease, releasing you from your contractual obligations while avoiding any penalties. Now, you're able to buy the car of your dreams-well, today's dream anyway.

There are a few benefits to a lease assumption. For the one assuming the lease, there is the shorter-term commitment and lack of money-down requirements. For the one getting out of the lease, there are no penalties incurred and they are free to move on.

What is a lease swap?
A lease swap is a lease assumption that goes both ways. Someone takes over your lease while you take over theirs or someone else's. Basically, you're swapping one lease for another, with no need to start over with a full-term lease contract.

Why are lease swaps attractive?
Lease swaps are an attractive way to exchange cars because by swapping your lease you can 1) get out of your original lease without penalties, 2) save thousands on unnecessary lease obligations, and 3) end up with a much shorter-term lease agreement than otherwise possible. Thus, if you decide to swap a lease you have much to gain and little to lose.

For people who enjoy changing cars ever few years, or even every few months, lease swaps are the way to go. But remember, whether leasing for the first time, assuming a lease, or swapping one, once you signed on the dotted line you become responsible for the remaining lease term and amount. So, as with any contractual obligation, make sure to read the fine print before you commit.

In this article, we've described concepts such as a lease swap [http://www.easydriverinsurance.com/2009/08/auto-lease-lease-assumption-and-the-car-lease-swap/] and Lease Assumption. Furthermore, we explain why obtaining an affordable car lease is a very appealing option for many people.

Long Island Office Space Lease - Leasing Space on L.I.

Long Island has been a growing economic power for the last 3 decades. Companies that only saw New York City as a viable option for their business years ago, now see Long Island as a strong place to rent office space.

Class "A" and "B" office space

Class "A" office buildings offer the newest offices on Long Island. These buildings usually offer newer construction, corporate location, Information desks, Exercise rooms and cafeterias. They are the top office leases that are available. They are more expensive per foot than Class "B" space in the same area. Small or start up companies with limited capital, may want to avoid this type of space initially. The rent and taxes can be rough for a small business. Larger companies will see this as the only option. A company like Merrill Lynch or Washington Mutual will normally not inhabit anything less than Class A space.

Some areas where you will find the most attractive Class A and class B office buildings:

Garden City and surrounding areas

The advantages of Garden city are that is close to the city, has good railroad access and is surrounded by other large companies. It is one of the more expensive areas on Long Island for high end building office space.

Melville

The Route 110 area in Melville has the most concentrated areas of Class A office space on Long Island. It is a very desirable location. It can be expensive, but there normally is a good amount of vacancy, so you may cut some good deals. There are Class "B" offices that are very suitable for leasing as well.

Hauppauge

Hauppauge is further east, but it is a major area for business on Long Island. It is similar to Melville, because of it's access to the LI expressway and with it's one or two primary desirable streets (Motor Parkway and Veterans Memorial Highway). It has lower Class A rents than Garden City and Melville usually. There are many fine restaurants as well for business lunches.

Bohemia

Bohemia and it's surrounding area is further south than Hauppuage. This area has very attractive lease options for space ranging from small to whole buildings. Bohemia has a lot of new buildings, and some are at half the price as Garden City. It is Near Islip Airport as well.

Most building owners are looking for 5 year leases, but 3 years is not hard to negotiate.

Furnished Instant Office Lease

These offices allow a small business to move right in to a staffed office. These set ups have become very popular for self employed business owners who may be working out of their house or paying too much for traditional office space. A staffed office includes utilities, phone lines, Internet more. The lease arrangements are very flexible, with some as short as 30 days month-to-month.

The Long Island office space market varies from year to year, but if you are flexible on what you want, you will find an attractive home for your business.

Good Luck!

Leasing Equipment Versus Buying

Short on cash, but need equipment? Consider leasing what you need. Leasing equipment may be a better alternative to buying, depending on your situation and needs.

Today, leasing is common practice in business. Over the past two years, equipment leasing has risen approximately 20 percent, according to recent research by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). And 8 out of 10 U.S. businesses lease all or part of their equipment, reports the Equipment Leasing Association.

Leasing is appropriate for just about any business at any stage of development. For start-up businesses with no revenues, smaller leases--those of $100,000 or less--may be better managed on the personal credit of the owners--if they are willing to make the monthly payments.

Comparing Leasing to Buying
When you buy a piece of equipment or vehicle, you usually have to pay for it in full either by using cash or by financing the balance. After you finish paying for it, you own it.

Equipment leasing, on the other hand, is essentially a loan. The lender buys and owns the equipment and then "rents" it to a business at a flat monthly rate for a set number of months. At the end of the lease, the business has several options. It can purchase the equipment for its fair market value (or a fixed or predetermined amount), continue leasing, return it or lease new equipment.

With a lease, you actually only pay for using the equipment. But at the end of the lease period, you could end up owning nothing. So why lease? The answer is simple: By leasing equipment, you leave money in the bank that can be used for other purchases. Since lease payments are usually smaller than regular loan payments, you don't have to pay out as much each month.

However, keep in mind that a lease is not cancelable like a bank loan or other debt. If you need to get out a standard loan you can sell the equipment and pay off the loan, or even refinance it. With a lease, you generally have to pay off the lease in full. So you have to be sure you make the payments when you enter into a lease.

So what kinds of equipment make the most sense for a small business to lease? According to research by the SBA, the most common items leased are office equipment, computers, and trucks and vehicles.

Benefits of Leasing
Leasing equipment offers a wide range of benefits, from consistency with expenses to increased cash flow. But perhaps the most significant advantage of leasing is the ability to maintain up-to-date equipment. Leasing allows you to easily and affordably add equipment or upgrade to a complete new piece of machinery to meet future needs. This lets you transfer the risk of being caught with obsolete equipment to the leasing company.

Here are some other benefits of leasing:

o Alternative to financing - Leasing is essentially an alternative to traditional financing and can be great for companies not able to obtain business loans.

o 100-percent "financing" - In many cases, leasing requires no down payment. This allows you to "finance" an entire purchase, including software, hardware, consulting, maintenance, freight, installation, and training costs.

o Ease and convenience - Applying for a lease is easy, and lease arrangements can be structured to meet your individual requirements. Equipment leases can range from $ 2,000 to $ 2 million. For smaller amounts, you can complete a brief application and receive a final decision within days--often with no financial reports or tax returns needed. Leases for more than $100,000 generally require detailed financial information from the business, and the leasing company conducts a more thorough credit analysis than it would for a smaller

o Flexibility - Lease terms range from 12 to 60 months, depending on the equipment type. Most leases can be structured so that payments are made with operating rather than capital funds. This can eliminate or reduce capital budget delays. Leased equipment can be purchased later if capital becomes available. Plus, a percentage of the lease payments can be credited toward the purchase of the equipment.

o Fixed, predictable payments - Having fixed lease payments enables you to accurately predict the impact of equipment expenses on your cash flow.

o Conserves working capital - Leasing conserves your working capital by requiring only a minimum initial outlay of cash.

o Tax Advantages - Operating leases are generally treated as a 100-percent, tax-deductible business expense paid from pre-tax earnings instead of after-tax profits.

o Protection against inflation - Lease payments are based on the dollar's current value. And unlike bank lines of credit with fluctuating rates, your payments are fixed regardless of what happens to the market tomorrow, making it easier to budget, forecast and grow.

Working with a Leasing Companies
When leasing equipment, keep in mind that the company selling the equipment simply makes a direct referral to a leasing company with which it does business. And, usually, the company selling the equipment works with more than one leasing company. So be sure to get quotes from a number of leasing firms. It's also a good idea to ask for referrals from friends and business associates.

Additionally, make sure you understand with whom you're dealing. Are you talking to a broker--the person who simply structures deals, then gets them financed through any of the leasing companies he or she works with. Or are you dealing with a leasing company that is actually putting its own funds on the line?

Brokers can be beneficial because they have valuable insight about the leasing market and can help you find the best leasing solution for your needs. But as when dealing with any type of salesperson, you are responsible for handling the due diligence. Do your own homework to ensure you negotiate the most favorable lease agreement for your company.

Equipment Leases - Don't Sing Those End of Lease Blues

Leasing is one of many financing tools available to help businesses fill their equipment needs. Leasing allows fixed rate financing and is usually accompanied with little or low up-front costs.

Most surprises, however, come at the end of the lease. By then it is too late to negotiate changes in the lease contract. The lease is "in place"--the customer has been making payments for some time period.

End of lease surprises can easily result in increased fees and automatic renewals.

There are nine things that businesses can do to avoid these surprises and minimize the risk for added costs and renewals.

1. Give Adequate End of Lease Notice: Give the leasing company adequate written end of lease notice. The most common notification period reads "no less than 60 days before the end of the lease." Sometimes notification requirements are as long as nine months before the lease ends.

2. No More--No Less Than: Occasionally, leases say customers must give notice no more than 120 days and no less than 90 days before lease end. The means the customer has only 30 days within which to give notice. Miss giving timely notice and the lease renews automatically with the total lease cost increasing. The automatic renewal adds as much as 12 lease payments.

3. Certified Mail: Send all notices to the leasing company via certified mail. Faxes and emails are not sufficient.

4. Start Early: Begin negotiations well in advance of the return date, especially if you plan to purchase the equipment.

5. Payments Due: Verify the number of remaining end of lease payments using internal company accounting records. Leasing company payoff may vary due to how the leasing company recognizes lease payment timing. Sometimes this happens if late payment penalties are involved.

6. Late Fees: Negotiate all late fees... just because you can and should.

7. Property Taxes: Check property tax assessments on the final invoice. Verify that the charges agree with your state, county and city tax rates. Sometimes tax rate errors are uncovered at the end of the lease. This is the customer's last opportunity to correct errors and receive refunds for tax rate errors.

8. Early Termination: If paying off the lease before the end of the original term, determine if discounts are applicable. Sometimes the lease language provides reasons for discounts. Check the default paragraph, the insurance paragraphs or end of lease section for discount justification.

9. Security Deposits: If the leasing company requires a Security Deposit at lease commencement, make sure the deposit is applied to the final payment or returned to your company at the end of the lease.

Leasing is one of many asset financing options available for companies. Not all leases are alike nor are lease contracts the same. When companies review leases thoroughly and negotiate them aggressively leases are tailored to fit company needs.

If companies do not review and negotiate leases frequently, they might consider retaining the services of an independent lease review specialist. These specialists assist companies in all phases of the lease selection, bidding and negotiation process. Their services save companies hundreds of thousands of dollars on every lease.

All About Coffee Machine and Equipment Leasing

Coffee Machine and Equipment Leasing

I have been a consultant involved in the Coffee World for some years, advising clients and helping them choose the right equipment to suit their needs. Equipment can of course be purchased with good old fashioned cash or a Business Loan from your Bank. However, the latter is not so easy these days. Another alternative that has seen growth in the last few years is Equipment Leasing. Leasing is available in many countries and certain Terms and Conditions vary. Tax benefits that Leasing can bring also vary from country to country. I can only speak from my knowledge of the UK market. I advise clients on many Coffee Machine Leasing packages to suit all their business needs. One thing the client doesn't always realise is that they can add other equipment requirements to their Lease Agreement. For example; Kitchen Equipment, "front of house" equipment and fittings. You name it - It can be Leased.

What is Equipment Leasing?

Equipment Leasing is the process of securing the use of pretty much any type of equipment these days; Office equipment, Computers, various types of machinery. Within the Catering Industry this could mean EVERY piece of equipment used in the kitchen and "front of house". Ovens. Toasting Ovens. Refrigeration. Ovens and Cooking ranges. Deep Fat Fryers, Food processors etc. Front of house equipment would not only include the very important COFFEE MACHINE, but may also include Panini Grills. Counters. Refrigerated Serve Over Counters. Tills. EPOS systems. Leasing can even be used to finance fabrication works, shop fittings, shop furniture, tables and chairs. Even structural building works can be Leased. All these things are needed but cost money, which is not always readily available. Therefore Leasing can provide the financial means to get the right equipment when opening a new coffee shop, restaurant etc. The other benefit is that Leasing can relieve cashflow. For established businesses Leasing can be used to refurbish and replace equipment.

By entering into a Lease contract to utilize equipment for a specified period of time, a business or individual can enjoy the benefits of usage without having the need for a large capital injection of CASH! Many industries make use of equipment leasing. In some instances, choosing to lease necessary equipment and machinery is an ideal situation for new or established businesses with very little working capital. Rather than investing large amount of limited resources, leasing necessary equipment makes it possible to secure more up to date models and focus on the task of growing the business.

The Changing Face of Finance

Equipment leasing and equipment finance has changed greatly in the UK in the last few years. The main change, as many business owners are painfully aware, is the lack of availability of funding and finance from the High Street Banks! Although this situation can also affect Leasing, Lease companies also have access to many other friendly industry capital funders. However, some funders will only finance established businesses. A bit of a "Catch 22" situation. This is not always the case with Leasing. However, you have to find the right Lease Company. Some 75% of all Leases that I have arranged over the last few years have been for "New Start" businesses.

Obtaining conventional Business Loans from the High Street Banks is still not good. A recent report from the Federation of Small Business (2012) stated that 40% of small businesses had been refused credit from their Bank. Also, that Bank lending had fell by some 5%. This is despite calls from the UK Government over the last few years for Banks to increase their lending to business. The Business Secretary stated that Banks were still risk adverse and a constant source of frustration to the Government. However, there could be "light at the end of the tunnel" The Business Secretary announced in September 2012 of the creation of the Government backed "Small Business Bank." The other good news is that Leasing increased during this period. Businesses have turned to Leasing to overcome the lack of Bank lending and been successful.

There are other advantages with Equipment Leasing. It's Tax efficient. Please speak with your Accountant about specific Tax Benefits for your business. Equipment leasing is also an easy way to update equipment. Many lease agreements include provisions that allow older equipment to be exchanged for newer models. This option can be extremely helpful when a business outgrows the capabilities of an older piece of equipment and requires something more robust to keep up with company growth.

Lease Rental - Lease to Buy - Lease Purchase?

A word of warning with the term "rental." Some Lease Companies and Suppliers don't give customers the option to purchase outright. At the end of the Lease period the customer has to renew the Lease for a fixed period of time or give the equipment back to the Lease Company or Supplier. This obviously can create a serious problem. Ensure that suppliers of your equipment and the Lease Company involved give their customers the option to buy outright at the end of the period. This can usually be arranged for just for just one extra months payment in most cases. Other alternatives already mentioned are; half way through a Lease you can upgrade to a new/bigger/better machine, the same as you might do when buying a car. Also, if you wish, you can usually pay off the Lease early with no penalties.

Should You Choose Long Term Car Leasing Or Private Car Leasing?

Generally, most people will choose to have a short term car lease. However, some may want a car for a bit longer and that will lead them to the option of long term car leasing. With long term car leasing, you can lease the car for years, even until you eventually pay it off. This is an option that is favorable to some because many short term lease contracts require the car to go back to the dealership at the end of the lease. What do you do if you want to keep the car then? You can also look at private car leasing, which generally comes in the form of lease swapping or lease transfers, or even sub-leases.

When you sub lease a car, you are leasing a car from someone who is leasing it from a dealership. They may not be able to completely afford the monthly payments, so they offer the sub lease to you to cover the payments and then some. This can be more expensive than leasing from a dealership, but many consumers choose it if they don't have the best of credit. With the sub-lease, they give you a lease for a car that they own. It works for you and it works for them, but make sure it works for the dealership before you begin leasing. The other forms of private car leasing involve you either taking over a lease that is transferred to you by someone else, or swapping a lease with someone who can afford it, while giving you their cheaper lease.

If you want long term car leasing, you get the benefit of lower payments per month, and you get the option of having a car you really like for a longer period of time. If you plan on holding onto a car for several years and even paying it off, then choosing this option is a good idea. There are plenty of good cars to lease on a long term lease, and it all depends on what options you are looking for in your car.

Whether you want to lease short term through private car leasing with sub-leases, lease transfers, or lease swaps, or if you want long term car leasing, there are many places and options to choose from. Maybe you want to go online for a cheaper rate, or maybe you want to shop locally to support local people and businesses. The choice is yours, but take your time in making it.

Executive Car Leasing Advice - How to Get the Best Executive Car Lease

Do you want a really nice car but don't think you can afford it? Do you think you are stuck with a crappy car that barely runs? Think again! You can get a really nice car when you look at executive car leasing and the best car lease deals that are available to you. All it takes is finding good car lease deals for cars that are in the executive class by playing dealerships against each other, or by looking online.

New car leasing deals are not hard to find, all it takes is looking in the right spots for them. For example, you should try looking online for leasing deals. There are many online dealerships that offer excellent deals to those who lease through them. You can even lease some brand new executive cars through online leasers. As well, you can find people who want to transfer a lease to someone else. They can't afford the lease, but you can, so why not take their lease and begin enjoying a new car at a discounted rate?

Another option is to look at dealerships and see what kinds of terms and rates they can offer you on the lease. Then, take that information and see if you can get other dealerships to lower their rates and costs for you. You will be surprised by just how much you can save by doing this. Dealerships don't like it, but there is very little that they can do about it.

So, is leasing a car a good idea? The truth is that whether or not you go for executive car leasing, leasing a car is a good idea. Finding the best car lease deals for that executive vehicle is an even better idea! There are many lease deals out there for you to choose from, but you need to make sure you get the ones that are going to work the best for you. Don't just settle with what you think is the best, because there may be a better one around the corner, or on another website.

Leasing a car is becoming the go-to option for many people in tough economic times. They can get discounted rates, shorter terms and better cars with leasing. Even if they want executive car leasing, they can get it and afford it by finding the best car lease deals online, or in their own city.

Understanding Car Leasing - 5 Facts You Need to Know

Leasing a car is like paying to rent it for a period anywhere from two to four, or sometimes, five years; you get to use it during that time, but you don't own it at the end of the lease.

The main benefit to lease is that your car lease payments will be lower than the payments you would be making if you were to take out a loan to purchase that same vehicle. Leasing can seem very complex and confusing if it's your first time, and all the paperwork the dealership will have for you to sign will not help to ease your anxiety, which is why it's important to understand leasing before jumping into it.

1. One thing to consider is the length of the lease that will be appropriate for you. Car leases require you to make monthly payments for a specified amount of time, which can range anywhere from 24 months up to 60 months.

2. Another thing to consider when thinking about the length of lease that would be best for you is the number of kilometers you will be using. Most leasing companies offer low kilometer leases, standard kilometer leases and high kilometer leases. It is important to do some figuring and find out approximately how many kilometers you will need, because if you end up going over at the end most leasing companies charge anywhere from seven to ten cents per kilometer you go over on the agreement, which can get pricey very quickly.

3. In contrast, if you don't calculate the number of kilometers you are going to be using, you could end up paying too much as your monthly payments will be lower with a low kilometer lease because the residual value at the end of the lease will be higher.

4. You will also want to think about how well you take care of your vehicles when considering leasing. Leasing companies understand that it's normal for a vehicle to show some signs of wear and tear after being used for a few years, but only some not exceeding $1000 or $1500 worth of minor repairs. You are expected to keep the car in good condition, meaning you can't return it with a fender missing and expect to not have to pay for it.

5. You will also want to be clear about your options at the end of the lease. In many cases, you will be told the amount it will cost you to buyout the vehicle at the end of the lease. You will also have the option to simply walk away, or to step up to a new vehicle.

Equipment Leasing Business

The number of aspirants who dream of building their business empires is more now than ever, and rising. However, lack of ample capital is the major hurdle. The equipment leasing business provides a helping hand to such people and those wishing to develop their existing business. The equipment leasing business is a booming field with great prospects.

Equipment leasing business is involved in buying equipments from established manufacturers and other reliable sources and leasing them to customers in need, charging a fixed monthly fee during the period of lease.

Leasing deals with all major business fields ranging from hospitals and hotels to laboratories and other small businesses. By opting for equipment leasing business, you are not required to spend any amount as down payment while buying the equipment.

The various benefits a business can enjoy by opting for equipment leasing include

o Capital conservation - It is always better for one to lease equipment than buying it because of the risk of depreciation.
o Conservation of credit lines - Your purchasing capacity is not affected as there is no initial cost upfront.
o Fixed rate lease payment.
o Deduction of tax - Lease payments don't qualify to be taxed.
o Easy financing of leased equipment.
o Easy updating from obsolete equipment.
o Effective management of your increased business cash flow and no more budget limitations.

As the equipments are leased the burden of maintenance and proper functioning of the equipment is relieved from the shoulders of the business owner, as equipment servicing is also taken care of by the lease firms. Equipment leasing business also helps the client's firm to be equipped with up-to-date equipments which is an important factor for the growth of business. Most equipment leasing firms also provide their clients the opportunity for buying the equipment at the completion of the lease period.

What You Need to Know About Equipment Leases Leasing

Different businesses also have varying needs. However, no matter what your business is, you know that you need transportation so that you would be able to send and receive important materials. Especially for those in the industrial arena, transportation equipment is highly important. You cannot underestimate the need for quality and reliable transport equipments which would help you in handling materials.

Is it always the right thing to buy, or will leases leasing help you save more? There are different factors which would help you decide on which to use.

When you lease transportation equipment, you would be able to get the equipment as soon as possible, without the need to shell out a large amount of money. You can then allocate your funds to other priorities which you need to finance. Most leasing companies include a warranty that removes the responsibility of having to repair the equipment if it breaks down while you are using it. There are a lot of companies that lease their new equipment, so that you are assured of quality and reliability.

You can also look at different providers so that you can decide well about which among those would be highly helpful to you. You can also negotiate your terms with the provider, so that you can maximize the lease contract and minimize the costs you would have to pay.

There are different kinds of transportation equipment which you can use. You can get railroad cars, aircraft, steamships and other types of vehicles. Purchasing these vehicles would simply be too much for you, and would rob you of money which you can use for other things. If you need more than one vehicle, then you would have more problems.

Companies involved in leasing and selling transportation equipment can help you significantly about getting your needed equipment for a very low price. Rest assured that they can provide you with what you need, and can even negotiate with the terms that you can afford. It is important to maintain harmonious working relationships with the company that leases their equipment to you.

Insurance Law - An Indian Perspective

INTRODUCTION

"Insurance should be bought to protect you against a calamity that would otherwise be financially devastating."

In simple terms, insurance allows someone who suffers a loss or accident to be compensated for the effects of their misfortune. It lets you protect yourself against everyday risks to your health, home and financial situation.

Insurance in India started without any regulation in the Nineteenth Century. It was a typical story of a colonial epoch: few British insurance companies dominating the market serving mostly large urban centers. After the independence, it took a theatrical turn. Insurance was nationalized. First, the life insurance companies were nationalized in 1956, and then the general insurance business was nationalized in 1972. It was only in 1999 that the private insurance companies have been allowed back into the business of insurance with a maximum of 26% of foreign holding.

"The insurance industry is enormous and can be quite intimidating. Insurance is being sold for almost anything and everything you can imagine. Determining what's right for you can be a very daunting task."

Concepts of insurance have been extended beyond the coverage of tangible asset. Now the risk of losses due to sudden changes in currency exchange rates, political disturbance, negligence and liability for the damages can also be covered.

But if a person thoughtfully invests in insurance for his property prior to any unexpected contingency then he will be suitably compensated for his loss as soon as the extent of damage is ascertained.

The entry of the State Bank of India with its proposal of bank assurance brings a new dynamics in the game. The collective experience of the other countries in Asia has already deregulated their markets and has allowed foreign companies to participate. If the experience of the other countries is any guide, the dominance of the Life Insurance Corporation and the General Insurance Corporation is not going to disappear any time soon.
The aim of all insurance is to compensate the owner against loss arising from a variety of risks, which he anticipates, to his life, property and business. Insurance is mainly of two types: life insurance and general insurance. General insurance means Fire, Marine and Miscellaneous insurance which includes insurance against burglary or theft, fidelity guarantee, insurance for employer's liability, and insurance of motor vehicles, livestock and crops.

LIFE INSURANCE IN INDIA

"Life insurance is the heartfelt love letter ever written.

It calms down the crying of a hungry baby at night. It relieves the heart of a bereaved widow.

It is the comforting whisper in the dark silent hours of the night."

Life insurance made its debut in India well over 100 years ago. Its salient features are not as widely understood in our country as they ought to be. There is no statutory definition of life insurance, but it has been defined as a contract of insurance whereby the insured agrees to pay certain sums called premiums, at specified time, and in consideration thereof the insurer agreed to pay certain sums of money on certain condition sand in specified way upon happening of a particular event contingent upon the duration of human life.

Life insurance is superior to other forms of savings!

"There is no death. Life Insurance exalts life and defeats death.

It is the premium we pay for the freedom of living after death."

Savings through life insurance guarantee full protection against risk of death of the saver. In life insurance, on death, the full sum assured is payable (with bonuses wherever applicable) whereas in other savings schemes, only the amount saved (with interest) is payable.

The essential features of life insurance are a) it is a contract relating to human life, which b) provides for payment of lump-sum amount, and c) the amount is paid after the expiry of certain period or on the death of the assured. The very purpose and object of the assured in taking policies from life insurance companies is to safeguard the interest of his dependents viz., wife and children as the case may be, in the even of premature death of the assured as a result of the happening in any contingency. A life insurance policy is also generally accepted as security for even a commercial loan.

NON-LIFE INSURANCE

"Every asset has a value and the business of general insurance is related to the protection of economic value of assets."

Non-life insurance means insurance other than life insurance such as fire, marine, accident, medical, motor vehicle and household insurance. Assets would have been created through the efforts of owner, which can be in the form of building, vehicles, machinery and other tangible properties. Since tangible property has a physical shape and consistency, it is subject to many risks ranging from fire, allied perils to theft and robbery.
Few of the General Insurance policies are:

Property Insurance: The home is most valued possession. The policy is designed to cover the various risks under a single policy. It provides protection for property and interest of the insured and family.

Health Insurance: It provides cover, which takes care of medical expenses following hospitalization from sudden illness or accident.
Personal Accident Insurance: This insurance policy provides compensation for loss of life or injury (partial or permanent) caused by an accident. This includes reimbursement of cost of treatment and the use of hospital facilities for the treatment.

Travel Insurance: The policy covers the insured against various eventualities while traveling abroad. It covers the insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation, loss of checked baggage, passport etc.

Liability Insurance: This policy indemnifies the Directors or Officers or other professionals against loss arising from claims made against them by reason of any wrongful Act in their Official capacity.

Motor Insurance: Motor Vehicles Act states that every motor vehicle plying on the road has to be insured, with at least Liability only policy. There are two types of policy one covering the act of liability, while other covers insurers all liability and damage caused to one's vehicles.

JOURNEY FROM AN INFANT TO ADOLESCENCE!

Historical Perspective

The history of life insurance in India dates back to 1818 when it was conceived as a means to provide for English Widows. Interestingly in those days a higher premium was charged for Indian lives than the non-Indian lives as Indian lives were considered more risky for coverage.

The Bombay Mutual Life Insurance Society started its business in 1870. It was the first company to charge same premium for both Indian and non-Indian lives. The Oriental Assurance Company was established in 1880. The General insurance business in India, on the other hand, can trace its roots to the Triton (Tital) Insurance Company Limited, the first general insurance company established in the year 1850 in Calcutta by the British. Till the end of nineteenth century insurance business was almost entirely in the hands of overseas companies.

Insurance regulation formally began in India with the passing of the Life Insurance Companies Act of 1912 and the Provident Fund Act of 1912. Several frauds during 20's and 30's desecrated insurance business in India. By 1938 there were 176 insurance companies. The first comprehensive legislation was introduced with the Insurance Act of 1938 that provided strict State Control over insurance business. The insurance business grew at a faster pace after independence. Indian companies strengthened their hold on this business but despite the growth that was witnessed, insurance remained an urban phenomenon.

The Government of India in 1956, brought together over 240 private life insurers and provident societies under one nationalized monopoly corporation and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) was born. Nationalization was justified on the grounds that it would create much needed funds for rapid industrialization. This was in conformity with the Government's chosen path of State lead planning and development.

The (non-life) insurance business continued to prosper with the private sector till 1972. Their operations were restricted to organized trade and industry in large cities. The general insurance industry was nationalized in 1972. With this, nearly 107 insurers were amalgamated and grouped into four companies - National Insurance Company, New India Assurance Company, Oriental Insurance Company and United India Insurance Company. These were subsidiaries of the General Insurance Company (GIC).

The life insurance industry was nationalized under the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Act of India. In some ways, the LIC has become very flourishing. Regardless of being a monopoly, it has some 60-70 million policyholders. Given that the Indian middle-class is around 250-300 million, the LIC has managed to capture some 30 odd percent of it. Around 48% of the customers of the LIC are from rural and semi-urban areas. This probably would not have happened had the charter of the LIC not specifically set out the goal of serving the rural areas. A high saving rate in India is one of the exogenous factors that have helped the LIC to grow rapidly in recent years. Despite the saving rate being high in India (compared with other countries with a similar level of development), Indians display high degree of risk aversion. Thus, nearly half of the investments are in physical assets (like property and gold). Around twenty three percent are in (low yielding but safe) bank deposits. In addition, some 1.3 percent of the GDP are in life insurance related savings vehicles. This figure has doubled between 1985 and 1995.

A World viewpoint - Life Insurance in India

In many countries, insurance has been a form of savings. In many developed countries, a significant fraction of domestic saving is in the form of donation insurance plans. This is not surprising. The prominence of some developing countries is more surprising. For example, South Africa features at the number two spot. India is nestled between Chile and Italy. This is even more surprising given the levels of economic development in Chile and Italy. Thus, we can conclude that there is an insurance culture in India despite a low per capita income. This promises well for future growth. Specifically, when the income level improves, insurance (especially life) is likely to grow rapidly.

INSURANCE SECTOR REFORM:

Committee Reports: One Known, One Anonymous!

Although Indian markets were privatized and opened up to foreign companies in a number of sectors in 1991, insurance remained out of bounds on both counts. The government wanted to proceed with caution. With pressure from the opposition, the government (at the time, dominated by the Congress Party) decided to set up a committee headed by Mr. R. N. Malhotra (the then Governor of the Reserve Bank of India).

Malhotra Committee

Liberalization of the Indian insurance market was suggested in a report released in 1994 by the Malhotra Committee, indicating that the market should be opened to private-sector competition, and eventually, foreign private-sector competition. It also investigated the level of satisfaction of the customers of the LIC. Inquisitively, the level of customer satisfaction seemed to be high.

In 1993, Malhotra Committee - headed by former Finance Secretary and RBI Governor Mr. R. N. Malhotra - was formed to evaluate the Indian insurance industry and recommend its future course. The Malhotra committee was set up with the aim of complementing the reforms initiated in the financial sector. The reforms were aimed at creating a more efficient and competitive financial system suitable for the needs of the economy keeping in mind the structural changes presently happening and recognizing that insurance is an important part of the overall financial system where it was necessary to address the need for similar reforms. In 1994, the committee submitted the report and some of the key recommendations included:

o Structure

Government bet in the insurance Companies to be brought down to 50%. Government should take over the holdings of GIC and its subsidiaries so that these subsidiaries can act as independent corporations. All the insurance companies should be given greater freedom to operate.
Competition

Private Companies with a minimum paid up capital of Rs.1 billion should be allowed to enter the sector. No Company should deal in both Life and General Insurance through a single entity. Foreign companies may be allowed to enter the industry in collaboration with the domestic companies. Postal Life Insurance should be allowed to operate in the rural market. Only one State Level Life Insurance Company should be allowed to operate in each state.

o Regulatory Body

The Insurance Act should be changed. An Insurance Regulatory body should be set up. Controller of Insurance - a part of the Finance Ministry- should be made Independent.

o Investments

Compulsory Investments of LIC Life Fund in government securities to be reduced from 75% to 50%. GIC and its subsidiaries are not to hold more than 5% in any company (there current holdings to be brought down to this level over a period of time).

o Customer Service

LIC should pay interest on delays in payments beyond 30 days. Insurance companies must be encouraged to set up unit linked pension plans. Computerization of operations and updating of technology to be carried out in the insurance industry. The committee accentuated that in order to improve the customer services and increase the coverage of insurance policies, industry should be opened up to competition. But at the same time, the committee felt the need to exercise caution as any failure on the part of new competitors could ruin the public confidence in the industry. Hence, it was decided to allow competition in a limited way by stipulating the minimum capital requirement of Rs.100 crores.

The committee felt the need to provide greater autonomy to insurance companies in order to improve their performance and enable them to act as independent companies with economic motives. For this purpose, it had proposed setting up an independent regulatory body - The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.

Reforms in the Insurance sector were initiated with the passage of the IRDA Bill in Parliament in December 1999. The IRDA since its incorporation as a statutory body in April 2000 has meticulously stuck to its schedule of framing regulations and registering the private sector insurance companies.

Since being set up as an independent statutory body the IRDA has put in a framework of globally compatible regulations. The other decision taken at the same time to provide the supporting systems to the insurance sector and in particular the life insurance companies was the launch of the IRDA online service for issue and renewal of licenses to agents. The approval of institutions for imparting training to agents has also ensured that the insurance companies would have a trained workforce of insurance agents in place to sell their products.

The Government of India liberalized the insurance sector in March 2000 with the passage of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Bill, lifting all entry restrictions for private players and allowing foreign players to enter the market with some limits on direct foreign ownership. Under the current guidelines, there is a 26 percent equity lid for foreign partners in an insurance company. There is a proposal to increase this limit to 49 percent.

The opening up of the sector is likely to lead to greater spread and deepening of insurance in India and this may also include restructuring and revitalizing of the public sector companies. In the private sector 12 life insurance and 8 general insurance companies have been registered. A host of private Insurance companies operating in both life and non-life segments have started selling their insurance policies since 2001

Mukherjee Committee

Immediately after the publication of the Malhotra Committee Report, a new committee, Mukherjee Committee was set up to make concrete plans for the requirements of the newly formed insurance companies. Recommendations of the Mukherjee Committee were never disclosed to the public. But, from the information that filtered out it became clear that the committee recommended the inclusion of certain ratios in insurance company balance sheets to ensure transparency in accounting. But the Finance Minister objected to it and it was argued by him, probably on the advice of some of the potential competitors, that it could affect the prospects of a developing insurance company.

LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA ON REVISION OF THE INSURANCE ACT 1938 - 190th Law Commission Report

The Law Commission on 16th June 2003 released a Consultation Paper on the Revision of the Insurance Act, 1938. The previous exercise to amend the Insurance Act, 1938 was undertaken in 1999 at the time of enactment of the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority Act, 1999 (IRDA Act).

The Commission undertook the present exercise in the context of the changed policy that has permitted private insurance companies both in the life and non-life sectors. A need has been felt to toughen the regulatory mechanism even while streamlining the existing legislation with a view to removing portions that have become superfluous as a consequence of the recent changes.

Among the major areas of changes, the Consultation paper suggested the following:

a. merging of the provisions of the IRDA Act with the Insurance Act to avoid multiplicity of legislations;

b. deletion of redundant and transitory provisions in the Insurance Act, 1938;

c. Amendments reflect the changed policy of permitting private insurance companies and strengthening the regulatory mechanism;

d. Providing for stringent norms regarding maintenance of 'solvency margin' and investments by both public sector and private sector insurance companies;

e. Providing for a full-fledged grievance redressal mechanism that includes:

o The constitution of Grievance Redressal Authorities (GRAs) comprising one judicial and two technical members to deal with complaints/claims of policyholders against insurers (the GRAs are expected to replace the present system of insurer appointed Ombudsman);

o Appointment of adjudicating officers by the IRDA to determine and levy penalties on defaulting insurers, insurance intermediaries and insurance agents;

o Providing for an appeal against the decisions of the IRDA, GRAs and adjudicating officers to an Insurance Appellate Tribunal (IAT) comprising a judge (sitting or retired) of the Supreme Court/Chief Justice of a High Court as presiding officer and two other members having sufficient experience in insurance matters;

o Providing for a statutory appeal to the Supreme Court against the decisions of the IAT.

LIFE & NON-LIFE INSURANCE - Development and Growth!

The year 2006 turned out to be a momentous year for the insurance sector as regulator the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority Act, laid the foundation for free pricing general insurance from 2007, while many companies announced plans to attack into the sector.

Both domestic and foreign players robustly pursued their long-pending demand for increasing the FDI limit from 26 per cent to 49 per cent and toward the fag end of the year, the Government sent the Comprehensive Insurance Bill to Group of Ministers for consideration amid strong reservation from Left parties. The Bill is likely to be taken up in the Budget session of Parliament.

The infiltration rates of health and other non-life insurances in India are well below the international level. These facts indicate immense growth potential of the insurance sector. The hike in FDI limit to 49 per cent was proposed by the Government last year. This has not been operationalized as legislative changes are required for such hike. Since opening up of the insurance sector in 1999, foreign investments of Rs. 8.7 billion have tipped into the Indian market and 21 private companies have been granted licenses.

The involvement of the private insurers in various industry segments has increased on account of both their capturing a part of the business which was earlier underwritten by the public sector insurers and also creating additional business boulevards. To this effect, the public sector insurers have been unable to draw upon their inherent strengths to capture additional premium. Of the growth in premium in 2004-05, 66.27 per cent has been captured by the private insurers despite having 20 per cent market share.

The life insurance industry recorded a premium income of Rs.82854.80 crore during the financial year 2004-05 as against Rs.66653.75 crore in the previous financial year, recording a growth of 24.31 per cent. The contribution of first year premium, single premium and renewal premium to the total premium was Rs.15881.33 crore (19.16 per cent); Rs.10336.30 crore (12.47 per cent); and Rs.56637.16 crore (68.36 per cent), respectively. In the year 2000-01, when the industry was opened up to the private players, the life insurance premium was Rs.34,898.48 crore which constituted of Rs. 6996.95 crore of first year premium, Rs. 25191.07 crore of renewal premium and Rs. 2740.45 crore of single premium. Post opening up, single premium had declined from Rs.9, 194.07 crore in the year 2001-02 to Rs.5674.14 crore in 2002-03 with the withdrawal of the guaranteed return policies. Though it went up marginally in 2003-04 to Rs.5936.50 crore (4.62 per cent growth) 2004-05, however, witnessed a significant shift with the single premium income rising to Rs. 10336.30 crore showing 74.11 per cent growth over 2003-04.

The size of life insurance market increased on the strength of growth in the economy and concomitant increase in per capita income. This resulted in a favourable growth in total premium both for LIC (18.25 per cent) and to the new insurers (147.65 per cent) in 2004-05. The higher growth for the new insurers is to be viewed in the context of a low base in 2003- 04. However, the new insurers have improved their market share from 4.68 in 2003-04 to 9.33 in 2004-05.

The segment wise break up of fire, marine and miscellaneous segments in case of the public sector insurers was Rs.2411.38 crore, Rs.982.99 crore and Rs.10578.59 crore, i.e., a growth of (-)1.43 per cent, 1.81 per cent and 6.58 per cent. The public sector insurers reported growth in Motor and Health segments (9 and 24 per cent). These segments accounted for 45 and 10 per cent of the business underwritten by the public sector insurers. Fire and "Others" accounted for 17.26 and 11 per cent of the premium underwritten. Aviation, Liability, "Others" and Fire recorded negative growth of 29, 21, 3.58 and 1.43 per cent. In no other country that opened at the same time as India have foreign companies been able to grab a 22 per cent market share in the life segment and about 20 per cent in the general insurance segment. The share of foreign insurers in other competing Asian markets is not more than 5 to 10 per cent.

The life insurance sector grew new premium at a rate not seen before while the general insurance sector grew at a faster rate. Two new players entered into life insurance - Shriram Life and Bharti Axa Life - taking the total number of life players to 16. There was one new entrant to the non-life sector in the form of a standalone health insurance company - Star Health and Allied Insurance, taking the non-life players to 14.

A large number of companies, mostly nationalized banks (about 14) such as Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, have announced plans to enter the insurance sector and some of them have also formed joint ventures.

The proposed change in FDI cap is part of the comprehensive amendments to insurance laws - The Insurance Act of 1999, LIC Act, 1956 and IRDA Act, 1999. After the proposed amendments in the insurance laws LIC would be able to maintain reserves while insurance companies would be able to raise resources other than equity.

About 14 banks are in queue to enter insurance sector and the year 2006 saw several joint venture announcements while others scout partners. Bank of India has teamed up with Union Bank and Japanese insurance major Dai-ichi Mutual Life while PNB tied up with Vijaya Bank and Principal for foraying into life insurance. Allahabad Bank, Karnataka Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Dabur Investment Corporation and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc have tied up for forming a non-life insurance company while Bank of Maharashtra has tied up with Shriram Group and South Africa's Sanlam group for non-life insurance venture.

CONCLUSION

It seems cynical that the LIC and the GIC will wither and die within the next decade or two. The IRDA has taken "at a snail's pace" approach. It has been very cautious in granting licenses. It has set up fairly strict standards for all aspects of the insurance business (with the probable exception of the disclosure requirements). The regulators always walk a fine line. Too many regulations kill the motivation of the newcomers; too relaxed regulations may induce failure and fraud that led to nationalization in the first place. India is not unique among the developing countries where the insurance business has been opened up to foreign competitors.

The insurance business is at a critical stage in India. Over the next couple of decades we are likely to witness high growth in the insurance sector for two reasons namely; financial deregulation always speeds up the development of the insurance sector and growth in per capita GDP also helps the insurance business to grow.