Washington, Idaho Delinquencies No Threat
Washington and Idaho residents posted almost identical delinquency rates on consumer loans during the first quarter of 1995, according to the American Bankers Association.
The Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin, which tracks eight types of closed-end installment loans, reported late payments rose to 1.82 percent for the period, up from 1.72 percent a year ago.
The rate for Washington was 1.74 percent, for Idaho 1.78 percent.
Delaware’s rate, .75 percent, was the lowest. South Dakota, with 4.34 percent, had the highest.
The biggest jump in delinquencies was registered by credit card borrowers, who were in arrears at a 3.18 percent clip, a jump of .25 percent.
At the height of the recession in late 1988, all delinquencies reached a rate of 2.88 percent, and the rate for credit cards was 3.34 percent.
A loan is considereed delinquent when payments are 30 days past due.
No bad time for bonds
Bonds have done so well in recent weeks it’s downright scary. Is it time for caution?
Not according to the Bond Fund of America’s most recent annual report.
If investors had deposited $5,000 on the day each year when BFA share prices hit their peak, over the fund’s 20 1/2-year life the investment would have grown to $325,178.
Buying on the day when shares were at their cheapest would have built that same $105,000 investment to $348,631 - only 7 percent better.
Booklets guide redemptions
These are the official government booklets that many banks use as a reference when an investor presents a savings bond for redemption.
In other words, when you go to cash in your bond, your bank probably will use these booklets to figure out how much money you’re owed.
Here are details on how to order:
The booklet that lists redemption values for Series EE bonds is called “Tables of Redemption Values for U.S. Savings Bonds Series EE.” It covers all Series EE bonds issued since 1980. The cost is $2.75 per copy, or $5 for a year’s subscription. The stock code is: TRVEE.
The booklet that lists redemption values for Series E bonds is called “Tables of Redemption Values for U.S. Savings Bonds Series E.” It covers all Series E bonds issued between 1941 and 1980. The cost is $3 per copy, or $5 for a year’s subscription. The stock code is: TRVE.
To order, mail a check or money order to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15250-7954.
When ordering, be sure to include the stock code.
The booklets are published twice a year: One covers bonds redeemed from November through April, the other bonds redeemed from May through October.
Keep proxy address current
Proxy statements, proxy ballots and annual and quarterly reports of companies you own should come to you automatically.
If you have the stock certificate in your own name, the company that issued the stock should send you these documents. But lots of investors don’t get them because they fail to send issuers their new addresses when they move. Call the company’s investor-relations officer and order a change-of-address form.
Investors who keep their shares in street name in their brokerage accounts should also automatically receive these regular mailings - but from their brokers.
Dividends can pile up
If you’ve missed dividend checks because the stock issuer lost track of you, the investor-relations officer can replace them. One columnist recently received 20 year’s worth of back dividends on American Motors stock gifted by his parents even though the company had been taken over by Chrysler.
, DataTimes