Latest news with #CraigMorgan
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Do you really need a credit card history before applying for a home loan?
Credit card spending is unlikely to affect your home loan application, experts say. Photo: 123RF By Anna Chisholm, ABC Have you ever been told that you'll need good credit card history to successfully apply for a home loan? It's the kind of unsolicited advice that pops up at family lunches and catch-ups with friends. But, according to financial educator Natasha Janssens and independent mortgage broker Craig Morgan it is more complicated than that. Janssens is a former financial planner and mortgage broker who lives in Canberra on the land of the Ngunnnawal people. She says the idea that you need a credit card to secure a mortgage comes from the United States. "In Australia, we really don't need a credit card in order to get a home loan," she says. Morgan, who lives in regional New South Wales, on the land of the Birpai people, says it is "a bit of an urban myth" that you need a proven track record of borrowing and repaying via a credit card to be a successful home loan applicant. "If you've got a really good solid credit history it probably counts for you. It certainly doesn't count against you," he says. But he says: "Whether you have or haven't had a credit card in your history is still largely irrelevant". For other loan types, your credit history may be more of a factor, but when applying for a home loan, your employment status and spending patterns could have more sway. If you're planning to buy a home, Janssens says, "the first thing is to check whether or not you actually have a credit score". You may have one without knowing. You can check your credit score online for free by contacting an online credit score provider, she says. The MoneySmart website recommends avoiding any provider that has a charge or asks for payment details. "Typically, you agree to their privacy policy when you sign up. That lets them use your personal information for marketing. But you can opt out of this after you sign up," MoneySmart says. It also states that a copy of your credit report can be requested every three months for free and recommends getting a copy at least once a year. "(A credit report) includes things like your credit rating, the credit products you hold, and your repayment history." Morgan says credit reporting agencies are likely to have a report for you if "you've had some component of credit, that could be something as simple as a mobile phone". Morgan says having a "clean" credit history with a good saving record can mean more to lenders. In the absence of credit history, Janssens says, the lender (usually a bank) would assess someone's ability to repay a mortgage in other ways, such as a consistent savings, their rental history, and paying utility bills on time. She says lenders are looking for evidence of reliability and consistency, which goes to an applicant's character. If you don't have a credit score, Janssens recommends talking to a lender or mortgage broker directly before applying online. As you may get automatically declined online by some lenders. Morgan says credit cards are "always going to count against you" when it comes to your borrowing capacity. If you're preparing to buy a house and want to borrow as much as you can a mortgage broker would likely advise you to get rid of your credit cards anyway, he says. This is because lenders are required to assume any credit cards are "maxed out" and a lender has to consider the minimum monthly repayments required when calculating how much you will be able to pay back and how much you can borrow initially. Janssens says "reducing your borrowing capacity" is one of "a couple of downsides" that come with credit cards. Janssens suggests spending conservatively in the six months before applying for a mortgage. "We tend to spend more when we can afford to spend," she says, but "it's a good idea to practice spending assuming you have a mortgage." Also make all repayments on time, as lenders will "be on the lookout for things that might suggest that you could have difficulties repaying". This includes pay day loans, accounts with pay now buy later services, and gambling. Morgan says to expect lenders to go through your bank statements and credit card history (if you have any) and don't go on a spending spree in the months prior. Sometimes people who have been diligently saving "have that one last hurrah". "What we see is this really horrific spending history in the three months leading up to the loan application." It might not cost you the loan, but it's not putting yourself in the strongest position either, he says. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances. - ABC
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Craig Morgan relieved to lift monkey off Tipp's back
Craig Morgan is talking about the road traveled to Ennis. The Tipperary midfielder remarks that they have had a 'few setbacks' over the past two years. He immediately corrects himself. 'A lot of setbacks,' he clarifies. Saturday evening in Ennis bridged a gap of two years, two weeks, and three days to the county's most recent Munster championship victory. The interim period, as Morgan hinted at, was not particularly kind. There were nine provincial outings and not one win. There was a 15-point hammering away to Limerick. There was an 18-point humiliation at home to Cork. There were another four goals conceded and another double-digit hammering at the hands of Cork this year. Throw in their brief involvement in the 2023 All-Ireland series and Tipp boasted a solitary win, over then Joe McDonagh-card holders Offaly, from 11 championship outings. It is despite all these results that Tipperary, winless in the province for 748 days, were able to go to the home of the All-Ireland champions and secure a victory that gives their own championship campaign a pulse. It is despite all these results that winless Tipperary were able to summon a winning four-point response, into the wind, when Clare successfully wiped out an earlier 12-point deficit to restore parity on 63 minutes. 'We have huge belief in ourselves and huge belief in the players in the team. We have had a few setbacks, a lot of setbacks, over the last two years, and we knew that we'd be in a tough situation against the All-Ireland champions in their home ground. 'We knew they'd come back at us in the second half, but we showed great character to dig deep in the last five minutes. Even the subs that came on really showed the character and belief that's in this team,' said Morgan, who started at centre-back at Cusack Park as Ronan Maher went to right half-back to stand beside Clare puckout target Peter Duggan. 'In the Munster championship, every team, on any given day, can beat any other team, so we knew that Clare were going to come back and that not to panic, stay brave, stay hurling the way we can, and execute our game-plan, and that's what we did.' Morgan made his championship debut in 2022. Started all four games of that year's Munster round-robin. Subsequent cruciate ligament rupture rendered him unavailable for the 2023 round-robin. Saturday was Morgan's 11th Munster championship start and first win. A box ticked for him personally and a monkey off the back collectively. 'Of course it is,' he says with regard to the latter. 'A draw or loss wouldn't do there today. We knew that was knockout hurling. It was only a win that was in our minds, that is what we went after, and that is what we achieved. We knew that win kept us in the championship and obviously we were showing emotion after the game. 'I wasn't playing that day in 2023, so this is my first win in Munster. To get that win there was great for me, personally. 100%, I'll remember that one. Probably is a monkey off the back.' The 4-18 to 2-21 triumph in the backyard of the champions returns Tipp to the championship conversation. A first championship win over Waterford in six years this Sunday will secure them a top three spot ahead of the final round of games the weekend after. A draw could also prove sufficient, but that would leave their fate in the hands of others on that final weekend. And after wrestling back control of their own narrative in Ennis, they're of no mind to let it go again. 'This doesn't matter if we don't reproduce next week, that's all we are focused on now.'
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Do you really need a credit card history before applying for a home loan?
Have you ever been told that you'll need good credit card history to successfully apply for a home loan? It's the kind of unsolicited advice that pops up at family lunches and catch-ups with friends. But, according to financial educator Natasha Janssens and independent mortgage broker Craig Morgan it is more complicated than that. Ms Janssens is a former financial planner and mortgage broker who lives in Canberra on the land of the Ngunnnawal people. She says the idea that you need a credit card to secure a mortgage comes from the United States. "In Australia, we really don't need a credit card in order to get a home loan," she says. Mr Morgan, who lives in regional New South Wales, on the land of the Birpai people, says it is "a bit of an urban myth" that you need a proven track record of borrowing and repaying via a credit card to be a successful home loan applicant. "If you've got a really good solid credit history it probably counts for you, it certainly doesn't count against you," he says. But he says "whether you have or haven't had a credit card in your history is still largely irrelevant". For other loan types, your credit history may be more of a factor, but when applying for a home loan, your employment status and spending patterns could have more sway. If you're planning to buy a home, Ms Janssens says "the first thing is to check whether or not you actually have a credit score". You may have one without knowing. You can check your credit score online for free by contacting an online credit score provider, she says. The MoneySmart website recommends avoiding any provider that has a charge or asks for payment details. "Typically, you agree to their privacy policy when you sign up. That lets them use your personal information for marketing. But you can opt out of this after you sign up," MoneySmart says. It also states that a copy of your credit report can be requested every three months for free and recommends getting a copy at least once a year. "[A credit report] includes things like your credit rating, the credit products you hold, and your repayment history." Mr Morgan says credit reporting agencies are likely have a report for you if "you've had some component of credit, that could be something as simple as a mobile phone". Mr Morgan says having a "clean" credit history with a good saving record can mean more to lenders. In the absence of credit history, Ms Janssens says, the lender (usually a bank) would assess someone's ability to repay a mortgage in other ways, such as a consistent savings, their rental history, and paying utility bills on time. She says lenders are looking for evidence of reliability and consistency, which goes to an applicant's character. If you don't have a credit score, Ms Janssens recommends talking to a lender or mortgage broker directly before applying online. As you may get automatically declined online by some lenders. Mr Morgan says credit cards are "always going to count against you" when it comes to your borrowing capacity. If you're preparing to buy a house and want to borrow as much as you can a mortgage broker would likely advise you get rid of your credit cards anyway, he says. This is because lenders are required to assume any credit cards are "maxed out" and a lender has to consider the minimum monthly repayments required when calculating how much you will be able to pay back and how much you can borrow initially. Ms Janssens says "reducing your borrowing capacity" is one of "a couple of downsides" that come with credit cards. Ms Janssens suggests spending conservatively in the six months before applying for a mortgage. "We tend to spend more when we can afford to spend," she says, but "it's a good idea to practice spending assuming you have a mortgage." Also make all repayments on time, as lenders will "be on the lookout for things that might suggest that you could have difficulties repaying." This includes pay day loans, accounts with pay now buy later services, and gambling. Mr Morgan says to expect lenders to go through your bank statements and credit card history (if you have any) and don't go on a spending spree in the months prior. Sometimes people who have been diligently saving "have that one last hurrah". "What we see is this really horrific spending history in the three months leading up to the loan application." It might not cost you the loan, but it's not putting yourself in the strongest position either, he says. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 companies you didn't know made firearms for the military
Today, legacy firearm manufacturing companies are well-established in the market. Names like Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Beretta are easily recognizable and their products known for military use. However, during times of war, it's not uncommon for companies that manufacture other goods to retool and produce military equipment in support of the war effort. Of course, this includes firearms. Here are seven companies that you may not have known made military firearms. It may come as a surprise to many customers that the same company that today offers computing software, cloud data services, and even artificial intelligence started in the early 20th century with analog punch card and sorting machines. Moreover, IBM was once in the firearms business with a contract to produce the M1 Carbine. Between August 1943 and May 1944, IBM made 346,500 carbines; this accounts for just under 6% of the 6,121,309 built during WWII. As a result of the short production run and recognizability of the brand, IBM M1 carbines are highly sought after by collectors and demand a premium over models made by the Inland Division of General Motors which produced over 2.6 million M1s. When country star and Army veteran Craig Morgan sang about his International Harvester, he was undoubtedly referring to a tractor. In addition to farm equipment, International Harvester is also known for its work trucks and construction equipment. Surprisingly, the company also produced one of the most iconic military firearms of all time: the M1 Garand rifle. During WWII, over 4 million M1s were produced by Springfield Armory in Massachusetts and Winchester nearby in Connecticut. Looking to disperse production in case of a nuclear strike against the United States, the Ordnance Department awarded a contract to International Harvester to produce rifles in Indiana. However, the manufacturing of firearms was different enough from vehicles that International Harvester M1s had glitches and flaws. As a result, Springfield and Harrington & Richardson supplied their own M1 parts to International Harvester. Beginning in 1951, International Harvester accepted contracts for a total of 418,443 rifles. However, the sale of the Indiana plant in 1955 forced the company to buy out the remainder of their contract; 337,623 International Harvester M1 Garands were actually produced. For reference, approximately 5.4 million M1s were produced in total. Jumping across the pond, Lines Bros was a well-known British toy manufacturer. In 1947, the company claimed to be the largest producer of toys in the world. Beginning with wooden toys in the early 20th century, Lines Bros eventually transitioned to metal toys like cars and trains. During WWII, children's toys were deemed non-essential. As a result, Lines Bros went from stamping metal toys to metal guns. The Sten Mk III submachine gun boasted a simple design with stamped metal components and minimal welding. This made it easy for companies like Lines Bros to produce. Stens were widely used by regular British forces and distributed extensively to resistance groups in occupied Europe. Lines Bros was the largest producer of the Mk III variant of the Sten with 876,886 made. Whirlpool is a staple brand in the home appliance market, specifically products like washers, dryers, refrigerators, and washing machines. While you won't find the Whirlpool name on a military-issued firearm, there is a connection that jumps from Europe back to North America. The Browning Hi-Power pistol design was started by John Moses Browning for FN Herstal. Following his death, the pistol was finished by Dieudonné Saive. While both Allied and Axis forces adopted the Hi-Power during WWII, the German occupation of Belgium restricted the supply of FN-produced pistols to the Allies. Before the FN plant fell into German hands, the Hi-Power design was brought to the UK and across the channel to Canada, where production was continued by John Inglis and Company in Toronto. In addition to the Hi-Power pistol, Inglis produced Bren machine guns and Polsten 20mm autocannons for British Commonwealth forces. After the war, Inglis returned to making home appliances and was eventually acquired by the Whirlpool Corporation in 1987. In 2001, Inglis was renamed to Whirlpool Canada, though the Inglis name lives on as a brand under the Whirlpool umbrella. The Singer Corporation is undoubtedly best-known for its sewing machines. However, prior to WWII, the company was given a production study by the U.S. government to prepare for the production of M1911A1 pistols in the event of war. Although Singer produced 500 pistols, their production rate fell short of the 100 guns per day required by the Ordnance Department. Still, the Singer pistols were well-made and the tooling was transferred to Remington Rand and the Ithaca Gun Company. About 1.75 million M1911A1s were produced during WWII making the Singer pistols extremely rare; one sold in 2017 for $414,000. During WWII, Singer supported the war effort by producing fire control systems for anti-aircraft guns. Speaking of Remington Rand, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this isn't an unusual company to produce firearms. After all, the Remington Model 700 rifle and 870 shotgun are two iconic military firearms from the company affectionately known as 'Big Green.' However, Remington Rand is not the same company. Founded in 1816, E. Remington and Sons was the manufacturer of the first commercial typewriter. The company later made revolvers and rifles for the military in the mid 19th century. In the late 19th century, E. Remington and Sons was split into Remington Arms, which continued the company's firearms line and later produced the aforementioned rifle and shotgun, and the Remington Typewriter Company. In 1927, the Remington Typewriter Company merged with the Rand Kardex Bureau to become Remington Rand. Known for making office equipment like typewriters, the company received a contract to produce the M1911A1 pistol during WWII. Remington Rand made 877,751 pistols during the war, exceeding the combined production of Colt and Ithaca. These pistols saw service through the 20th century and even into the Global War on Terror. As previously mentioned, GM's Inland Division produced M1 carbines. However, the Hydra-Matic Division is better connected to the automotive manufacturer with the first mass-produced, fully automatic transmission for passenger cars. Speaking of full-auto, Hydra-Matic was awarded a contract to produce the M16A1 rifle for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to supplement production by Colt. The GM division previously manufactured M39 20mm cannons, but did not have experience with small arms. Still, Hydra-Matic rose to the challenge and shipped its 100,000th rifle to the government two months ahead of schedule. From 1968-1971 Hydra-Matic produced about 469,000 M16A1s.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parking alert issued Friday for Blake Shelton concert
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – If you have plans to visit the North Charleston Coliseum this Friday, you may want to plan a carpool or schedule a rideshare. Blake Shelton is bringing his 'Friends & Heroes Tour' to the large entertainment venue along with special guests Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, and Trace Adkins. Coliseum officials issued a parking alert for Friday night's concert and said attendees are highly encouraged to carpool and arrive early. Officials said the Coliseum's parking lots will open at 2 p.m., doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Want to go? There is a limited number of tickets available for purchase online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
