31.   The company established itself as a credit card powerhouse by doing business with customers of different credit ratings while specializing in those with poor credit records.

32.   The fund will also invest in mortgage and auto-finance companies that lend to people with poor credit histories.

33.   The measure restricts offering home equity and refinance mortgage loans to people with poor credit.

34.   The industry is also boosting loan requirements and dealing with bad loans after lending to customers with poor credit.

35.   Walsh, a closely held company, offers subprime loans, which are given to people with poor credit at a higher rate than traditional loans.

36.   While some people pay higher rates because of poor credit histories, the banks say, others now borrow at lower rates.

37.   Without such banks, many immigrants, people with poor credit histories and low-income borrowers might not get loans, bank watchers say.

38.   With lots of money available, poor corporate credits pay little more than good ones in the bond market.

39.   Banking industry officials maintain that finance companies provide a valuable service to consumers whose low incomes and poor credit records prevent them from qualifying for normal loans.

40.   BestBank sold high-interest credit cards as part of a travel-club membership to consumers with poor credit records.