The study argues implicit bias from court officials is part of the problem in Chapter 13 cases. The head of a trustees group doesn’t agree.

Economists say that if foreigners buy fewer American goods, then the federal government needs to spend less, but that’s not happening.

A report from Bankrate found that lenders rejected nearly half of all loan applications in 2024, and auto loan and mortgage refinance rejections hit record highs.

Some effects of cheaper money won’t be visible until next year, and smaller, more risk-averse businesses may be slower to respond.

Whether it’s new machines for a factory or better software to manage payments, companies spend because they see opportunities.

Loans are a big cost, but they would muddle the data in the CPI. Fed rate hikes would essentially create inflation, despite their intention.

The credit bureau TransUnion is out with a report showing that borrowers aged 22 to 24 are carrying an average of $2,834 in credit card debt — about a quarter more than millennials in the same age range a decade ago.

Delinquencies are up, especially for people with lower incomes and multiple types of debt, according to the New York Fed.

But other positive factors in the economy are limiting the potential damage, economists say, like low unemployment.

Do they wait for lower rates in the future or borrow what they need today? It’s a question of cost versus opportunity.