Business, Accounting Resources
Consumer Information
Bank Rate Monitor - Offers lowest credit card rates and highest CD rates Search several different types of rates: auto loans, CD/Savings, checking & ATM, credit cards, credit unions, home equity, IRA Center, Money markets, mortgages, online finances, and personal loans.
The Consumer Price Index: Nationwide - Selected major regions and areas; Pittsburgh listed now only in January and July. Produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for services. Free email subscription service: receive selected Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) news releases via email or choose to e notified of new publications and specific data summaries. Links include general overview, economic news releases, detailed statistics and tables created by BLS, Special Notices, and Publications.
Federal Trade Commission - Offers tips on deceptive business practices. Links to consumer protection, business guidance, formal actions, opinions and activities, regional offices, antitrust / competition, economic issues, news releases, publications and speeches and legal framework. Links to current news releases and ability to file a complaint online. The FTC enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws.
The Financial Planning Association - Provides a list of certified financial planners by zip code and city. Local chapters are linked. Supports the financial planning process. Offers objective advice to make smart financial decisions. Click on Planner Search. Discusses how to search for a financial planner, how the searches work, articles of interest for consumers.
FirstGov for Consumers - Information for your safety and welfare concerning food, health, product safety, children, your money, your home, transportation and the Internet. One stop link to a broad range of federal info resources available online. Locate info by category: Food, health, product safety, your money, and transportation. Subcategories direct to areas within individual federal web sites containing related info.
Foreign Exchange Rates - Foreign exchange rates back to 1990. #1 source of foreign exchange services and online tools. OANDA provides currency conversion info and services to travelers, investors, and businesses worldwide.
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to the advancement of Fee-Only comprehensive financial planning.
National Association of Security Dealers - Regulates stockbrokers and arbitrates in disputes. Background information on individual brokers and brokerage houses. Do they have the license to sell and how long have they been with the company. Includes info on investors, brokers, securities firms, regulators and media. Free email notification service. Investor education, NASD rules, broker advisor info, qualifications and education, publications and notices and regulation systems. Do a firm search: USB PaineWebber. Click on General Assembly. Display type of business. Legal status: when and where formed, type of company, ending month of fiscal year. Registrations: find PA – in good standing.