Last summer, hoards of ING Direct customers announced their immediate departure from the online bank after the news that Capital One would be the new home to these customers. However, the decision may have been impulsive for some former customers.

The proclaimed loyalty of ING Direct customers was tested when these customers learned that their favorite online bank was to be housed under the roof of Capital One.
“I couldn’t imagine two more opposite companies coming together,” Read the rest of this entry »

Our savvy supporters often ask which foods are the best to donate. To shed some light on the subject, we are reintroducing our Food of the Month series.Most of the foods are shelf stable, pack plenty of nutrition and are easy to prepare.  For more information on our most-needed food items, check out our website. Let’s kick off the year with peanut butter! Did you know today is National Peanut Butter Day? Every year, the U.S. celebrates peanut butter on January 24th! Why should we celebrate Read the rest of this entry »

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There seems to be an ongoing debate; should you rent, or should you buy? For some strange reason, this debate mainly circulates around homeownership. Many people feel a sense of accomplishment (understandable) when it comes to owning something, but attached to this accomplishment is a greater sense of responsibility.
Therefore, renting could be a good option because it is often more eco-friendly, economical, and efficient, as well as a great option for people who do not want to commit Read the rest of this entry »

The spotlight fell off of Capital One acquisition of ING Direct for several weeks but the latest bank earnings reports have offered an uneventful update on the deal. However, it continues to pose a concern for many ING Direct customers, who’ve been rather apprehensive of the transition.

For ING Direct customers, the move the Capital One (NYSE: COF) will be happening in the first quarter as expected.
That means, in just a little over two months, many ING Direct customers will Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s easy to neglect financial planning when having to deal with the many distractions in life. For some, it is a crucial ongoing task that requires attention and possibly the expertise of a professional financial planner.
Whether or not a financial planner is needed is a frequent question asked by Americans who begin noticing the increasing complexity of their finances.

Financial planners serve clients by educating and offering advice in various financial aspects that often include retirement Read the rest of this entry »

With traditional bank interest and reward checking mostly gone, and online banks cutting rates even on their savings products, it’s not a good time for the rate-chasers of the world. There are some exceptions to this, however, if you choose to do your checking with a brokerage firm.
Despite downturns in the stock markets, and low interest rates, both of which must have hurt their overall business, online brokerages still offer viable options when looking for a new checking account. Read the rest of this entry »

This week was the beginning of the first post-Dodd-Frank Act annual earnings season, and the results were certainly mixed. The traditional branch megabanking model continues to show profitability problems, in spots, as online banking offers better products.
Also, Wikipedia, Reddit, and other high-traffic websites went on strike, protesting SOPA and PIPA, two pieces of legislation that, if passed, might lead to government censorship of the web. The protests worked, it seems, as legislators have Read the rest of this entry »