Loans Coverage

Why your mortgage rate is probably different from the 'average'

Washington, DC (CNN) -- The average US mortgage rate hit 7.49% this week, the highest level in 23 years. But the rate you may be able to secure from a lender could be very different. It could either be a good bit higher than the current average, or lower. It all depends on the financial attributes and risks that you present lenders as a borrower.

By Anna Bahney, CNN

Is buy now, pay later worth it?

With just a few clicks on your phone, you can make a big or small purchase with no interest or fees and divide the cost into four payments over several weeks or months.

Consumer Reports

Here's what you can do if your mortgage loan is denied

Found your dream home but then got denied a mortgage? It can be heartbreaking and demoralizing, but there might be some things you can do, because "no" doesn't always mean all is lost. As Consumer Reports explains, there are ways to reverse that bad news and get you into your new home.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

The greedy took from the needy: US Attorney says he's fighting for every penny of COVID relief fraud

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley Jr. said his federal task force will investigate people who took money meant for struggling businesses to survive the pandemic.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

A task force is fighting to get millions back stolen during pandemic

A federal task force is going after millions in misused pandemic relief money. WRAL Investigates efforts to catch local companies that stole millions of your tax dollars during the pandemic.

Credit card debt is rising, here's how to boost your credit score

Do you want to buy a home or a car? Get a credit card or loan? Your credit score determines if you can, and how much you will pay in interest. WRAL 5 On Your Side shares 5 ways you can boost your credit score.

Fact-checking Twitter claim on University endowment

Some critics of President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan say it's academic institutions - not the government - that should be responsible for lowering the cost of college.

$200 million in small business loans coming to North Carolina

More than $200 million in small business loans is coming to North Carolina as part of an ongoing federal program to help disadvantaged businesses.

$200 million in small business loans heading to NC targeting disadvantaged communities

More than $200 million in small business loans is coming to North Carolina as part of an ongoing federal program to help disadvantaged businesses.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

One industry thriving with rising inflation? Payday lenders.

As prices continue to surge, but the labor market remains tight, there is one industry that appears to be performing well.

Rocky Mount-based foundation unsure how $83M in COVID loans were spent

A Rocky Mount foundation says it has no idea who received more than $80 million in COVID-19 relief loans it gave out. The announcement comes after a report from the state auditor said the Golden Leaf Foundation didn't track how businesses spent the millions in taxpayer dollars it distributed.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

State Auditor: Golden LEAF Foundation didn't track how businesses spent millions in taxpayer dollars

Tuesday's announcement comes after a report from the State Auditor said the Golden LEAF Foundation didn't track how businesses spent the millions in taxpayer dollars it distributed.

Billions borrowed through paycheck advance apps

When money is tight, a paycheck advance app can help - for a cost.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

What borrowers need to know about major changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

The US Department of Education announced major changes Wednesday to a federal student loan forgiveness program that the agency says could bring relief to thousands of borrowers working in government and nonprofit sectors.

By Liz Stark, CNN

Shaw University to forgive $1M of summer school costs

Shaw University officials announced on Saturday that the school would be forgiving $1 million of costs for 400 students enrolled in summer school.

Maggie Brown, WRAL Multiplatform producer

Gas station secured small business bailout money, then paid for Trump billboards

The billboards began popping up along a desert stretch of highway in Arizona and California in early August -- plastered with "Make America Great Again!" in large capital letters or an image of President Donald Trump looking up to the sky and giving a big thumbs up.

By Blake Ellis and Melanie Hicken, CNN Photographs by David Walter Banks for CNN