Prosper.com, a sort of eBay for loans, is billed as an alternative to banks. But the Internet pioneer’s default rates are sky-high, and lenders have been losing money.

If you’re not doing all you can to keep your credit scores high, you’re borrowing trouble — and you could pay a very heavy price.

If you’ve been shopping for a home, now may be the time to buy. Mortgage rates are expected to rise sharply within the next few weeks.