LOS ANGELES -- Banks have been shaken by the temblor - and stirred to help.
The Federal National Mortgage Association, which buys and sells mortgages, is urging banks to let borrowers make late payments - without reporting them to credit bureaus.
Other banks are doing more. "We've had a standard plan since the 1989 San Francisco earthquake," says Wells Fargo spokeswoman Lorna Doubet. At Wells Fargo, quake victims who are homeowners can borrow up to $ 25,000 for six months at Wells Fargo's six-month CD rate, now 2.47%. Renters can borrow $ 5,000 for three years at 2.47%. Credit-card customers can skip their next payment without penalty.
Bank of America is offering personal loans up to $ 7,500 at 5% with no points or fees. It's also offering emergency home-equity loans from $ 7,501 to $ 25,000 at 5% the first 90 days. Businesses eligible for government disaster loans can get bridge financing up to $ 25,000.
For quake victims short of cash, banks are waiving penalties on early CD withdrawals and late loan payments.
