Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 21 August 1997 — Page 13

The Muncie Times, August 21,1997, Page 13

Taylor opens credit counseling business

By Judy Mays Educating people on getting their financial situation turned around and helping others who are looking to buy property is the reason for Cedric Taylor says he opened his business. Taylor, 32, is a native of Lafayette, Ind., who graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He is a former First Merchants Bank loan officer who has 7 years banking and lending experience. “I’ve witnessed a large number of people, especially African Americans, turned down for loans. A bank will give a simple ‘no’ without getting the situation turned around. Clearly, people need to be educated on how to stay out of debt, how to work to get their debts cleaned up,” said Taylor. After leaving the bank, Taylor started a hardware business, but his hearty was not in it. “In June of this year I opened Credit and Debt Alternatives and I’m actually phasing out the hardware business. Today, credit in our society in no longer a luxury. However, with unsecured credit so easy to obtain and more difficult to manage, this type of credit is often a cause of major financial trouble. Whether the person is drowning in debt or just beginning to feel the tide rise, Credit and Debt Alternatives offers a full range of counseling and services to help a person stay afloat. “We can also provide our more established credit clients with techniques to improve credit and borrowing ability.” “One of the things I’d like to get the opportunity to do is speak to groups such as churches and especially children.” “I’m very interested in what’s on the mind of children in terms of finance. It seems the importance of saving money is not stressed enough.” Social Security office moves The Muncie Social Security office will move to 600 N. Walnut St. effective Aug. 11, said William D. Brown, Social Security manger in Muncie. Brown said the new location will offer a larger working area for employees and public interviewing, as well as parking for 20 cars. The increased space was needed to accommodate additional electronic equipment used in data retrieval and claims processing work at the office. Most Social Security business, including applications for monthly benefits, still can be done by telephone, Brown noted. The local office number, (765) 747-5548, and Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, will not change. There is also a FAX number, (765) 747-5523, available. The Muncie office services Delaware, Henry, Randolph and Jay counties. It manages total monthly benefits of $28.5 million paid to 44,142 persons in the area.

One of the services Taylor hopes will help is credit analysis. People need to know why they’re tuned down and exactly how they’re rated by credit reporting agencies. You can get a copy of your credit file. That is something a person needs to know to begin turning his or her situation around,” he said. “With a professional evaluation and analysis of current debts a person can find the best route to credit repair and debt reduction,” he said. “After the business gets going. I’d like to be primarily mortgage oriented. But people need to

be in position to do that. I look forward to the day our business will have clients who aren’t only in trouble but are prospering.” Taylor and his wife, Janet, have a son, Xavier, 2 1/2. They are expecting another baby soon. For more information, call 281-1974 or 1-800-721-4024.

Cedric Taylor

the Mortgage Experts

AT AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

BRIAN JACKSON • PAT DAVIS • SERONA BARTLETT

As individuals, each of us possesses special skills in an area we enjoy. Rarely in business do you find a team of individuals that collectively display the experience and dedication necessary to help others maximize their home purchasing power. THE MORTGAGE EXPERTS at American National enjoy working with people in all stages of life, helping them decide which mortgage loan product best fits their needs. Stop in or call THE MORTGAGE EXPERTS at American National Bank at 747-7575 for your free Mortgage Loan Guidebook.

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND 1 RUST COMPANY

Member FDIC

110 E. Main Street, Muncie, Indiana

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