As you may be aware, Congress just passed a credit card reform bill that helps protect consumers, such as you and I, from the big bad credit companies. Although this bill has gotten almost unanimous support from law makers, there have been a few who aren’t happy with the new regulations.

Take Edward Yingling (CEO of the American Bankers Association), for instance, who stated that it would “undermine the availability of credit” by restricting individual institutions’ ability to price credit against risk. Oh. my. god. You mean banks would actually have to only give credit to people who can manage it?? The horror!

Jeremey over at GenXFinance reviewed the new Discover Prepaid Debit Card. The card is focused on teaching teenagers about controlled spending and maintaining balance limits, which is great. But what about those Gen X and Gen Y’ers who don’t trust themselves with their plastic? A good way to impose restraints on unruly spending? We think so.

Unbeknownst to me, ING (the online based bank with the consistently good APY’s) has opened cafes in a bunch of major U.S. cities — complete with free wife and free personal finance seminars and webinars. Who knew!?

Investing can be an overwhelming and daunting task when you’re young and first starting out with your investments. But are young people today turned off by investing after seeing our parent’s nest eggs deteriorate in front of our eyes? Or do we live in a world so focused on the here and now, that planning for the distant future seems like a nonessential task.

Investing in your retirement has never been more important than it is now. With the current state of the economy, there’s not much of a reason to have faith that you’re social security payments will provide much stability to you in your golden years. With the rising costs of living and pretty much everything else, social security contributions can’t and won’t keep up with inflation, and what may barely pay your bills now certainly won’t pay them when you’re 65.

Capcom, a video game distribution company, is now promoting a new VISA debit card designed to promote Capcom-Unity points for their Accelerated Rewards program to be used for auctions, raffles, and to take advantage of company promotions (like access to Beta tests and priority entrance at Capcom events).

Featuring popular Street fighter IV, Bionic Commando and Resident Evil 5 characters and scenes (in collector fashion), they’re targeting the hardcore gamer crowd — known for frequently purchasing novelty items. But video game fans should take a long second look before signing off on this card.

In the age of the credit crunch, credit scores are the passport to your financial future. The new year has brought many things, and with it, a new scoring model. We spoke to Ken Lin, CEO of Credit Karma (a website that lets you check your credit score for free — anytime, anywhere) about the change in the FICO credit scoring model to get a better idea of what the changes are and how they will affect you.

Heads rolled after Obama’s stimulation restrictions were voted into place allowing companies receiving federal support to limit executive salaries to $500,000. According to an article from StockWire, Crain’s, a New York business weekly, conducted an impromptu study of the Manhattan banking elite’s typical expenses. Let’s read on to find out how drastically these stipulations will affect the upper echelon of Manhattan’s wealthiest.

So, New Yorkers…how are your finances? If you’re like the majority of Americans riding out the recession wave, penny pinching, saving, and being financial responsible is more vital now than in any other time in our lives. Still, you can have plenty of smile without opening your wallet, purse, or murse. It’s Recession-Proof Activities III, the follow up to follow up to Recession-Proof Activities I and II. Consider this a sequel that doesn’t suck.

As I strolled into my primary banking institution a few weeks ago, I asked the guard downstairs to direct me to the people who handle IRA’s. I was planning on transferring my IRA over since I have my checking and savings accounts there, and wanted to be able to transfer money over quickly and more easily.

After the guard escorted me upstairs to the section of the bank that handled investments, I was left in a waiting room surrounded by a bunch of glass offices. Now I’m not poor, but I’m certainly no high roller. I don’t have huge bank accounts and massive stock portfolios, but I do have dignity, and as such, believe that I deserve to be treated with respect — regardless of the size of my bank account.