http://ping.fm/8gJEE 8 per share diluted, compared with earnings of $270,000, or $0.21 per share diluted, for the same period in 2008. Earnings for the year to date period ended September 30, 2009 were $985,000, or $0.78 per share diluted, up from earnings of $164,000, or $0.13 per share diluted, for the same period in 2008. Our results of operations were impacted by an increase in deposit insurance premiums, including a special assessment, which totaled $62,000 and $247,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $13,000 and $21,000 for the respective prior year periods.

GS Financial Corp. Announces Third Quarter Results and Declaration of Quarterly Dividend http://ping.fm/XO9KP GS Financial Corp. (NASDAQ Global Market: GSLA) (the “Company”), the holding company for Guaranty Savings Bank (“Guaranty”), reported earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 of $104,000, or $0.08 per share diluted, compared with earnings of $270,000, or $0.21 per share diluted, for the same period in 2008.

http://ping.fm/j5Jto Make sure to check out Subprime Blogger on a daily basis for your VA home loan rates. We will display the current VA home loan rates as well as a short commentary similar to the above column. Boo

http://ping.fm/CuOBj No matter how bad the market tries to set interest rates it is never going to happen with as much government inaction we are seeing.  Every time the 10 year yield or mortgage rates start to tick higher we hear of a new government program with the intention to keep mortgage rates low.  This is fine and dandy for the time being but what is going to happen when the government finally takes their hand out of the pot and allows the market to set interest rates?

VA Home Loan Mortgage Rates October 20 – Rates Drop to New Lows? http://www.LendingBeeInc.com VA home loan mortgage rates for October 20th, 2009 are down drastically.  The convetional 30 year fixed mortgage rate is at 4.79% while the 15 year fixed rate is at 4.27%.  The 5/1 ARM is down to 3.78% making all three mortgage loan options down for the day.  VA home loan mortgage rate are generally between .5% and 1% lower than conventional mortgage rates so you can do the math and see that VA home loan rates are extremely low in the current mortgage environment. 

Check out the lender’s reputation http://ping.fm/1OkiF

Word of mouth is important in every business, including the loan market. If you’ve never worked with a particular lender, you’ll want to find out the opinion of people who have.

http://ping.fm/bTzP8 Evaluate the level of customer service When you’re comparing offers, ask each lender about their policy regarding locking in their quoted rates and see whether there is a fee. Also, ask them to amend one of the terms (such as a payment cap) and see how willingly they agree. You’re looking for flexibility and responsiveness. And also note how well they listen to you. If you ask for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, they ought to present that as an option, not push you toward something different, such as an interest-only loan. If you’re not getting good service from a lender who is competing for your business, you’re not likely to get it after you’ve agreed to work with them.

Look at the range of loan types available http://ping.fm/yRkoE There are more loan options available than ever before, so take advantage of all that choice. Look for a lender who offers a wide variety of loan types, from conventional fixed-rate and adjustable-rate to newer ones such as hybrid ARMs and option ARMs. Your lender should be able to match you with a mortgage that’s right for your financial situation and risk tolerance.

Consider your individual circumstances http://ping.fm/XioiX Bigger lenders aren’t necessarily better than smaller ones, especially if you have unusual circumstances. For example, some lenders specialize in loans for people with poor credit, while others may have more options for those with small down payments. If you have special borrowing needs, look for a lender with experience working with people in similar situations.

http://ping.fm/JcrXa Compare fees as well as interest rates Comparing http://ping.fm/veNwc based on their annual percentage rate (APR) is a good place to start, but it’s not enough. In the case of a mortgage, to get a more accurate breakdown of costs, ask the various lenders for a formal “good faith estimate” of all the fees you’ll incur with your loan — this is a standard form lenders must provide you that is more detailed than the overview you’ll get with an offer. Also, ask about potential charges that may not appear on that list, such as prepayment penalties. You’re not just comparing numbers here: determine how honest and upfront you feel the lender is being, and don’t use a lender that you feel is evading your questions.