Page 18: Financial: Consolidation/Homeowner Loans.

The worst part of daytime TV in the UK isn't the awful "celebrity chef" programmes, nor is it the multitude of audience debate shows always titled with the hosts first name. The worst thing, as any recovering sick worker will tell you, is the ADVERTS. The worst of these darlings of daytime TV are the following three types of company that rarely have the audacity, or the funds, to reappear at prime-time:

The Credit Broker Company.

Whilst the "No-win-no-fee" and walk-in-bath brigades are at best curiosity objects, the consolidation or homeowner loans companies concern us here at the Surgery. All of these adverts have obviously been made on a very tight budget, most of their marketing funding seems to have been spent on the "D" list celebrity that hosts the ad, usually an obscure actor from a 70's sitcom whose face you know but haven't seen since the 70's. What you won't have heard of are the companies being promoted.

Adverts from credit brokers offering consolidation or homeowner loans are targetted at people who have been turned down at banks and building societies. These loans differ from personal or unsecured loans in that they are secured on the home of the applicant. Should the applicant default, their home is at risk. The message from the companies: "If you are having difficulty with existing debts or getting the cash you need, try us because we won't turn you down". People with a bad credit history, the self-employed, divorced or retired may feel that they have nobody else left to turn to other than credit brokers like this offering Homeowner or Consolidation Loans.

Consolidation or Homeowner loans.

A credit broker arranges loans from a number of lenders, primarily for people seeking to consolidate existing loans. They make their money by getting commission on arranging the loan. Here are some MoneySurgery Vital Signs for Consolidation/Homeowner loans: