Q: I applied to refinance my mortgage and was told that I would have to have a current appraisal. The lender contacted an appraiser to schedule a time. I paid the lender $349 upfront, which was charged to my credit card.

Using a credit card reminds me of gambling in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK -- Banks have been disappointing customers many ways lately _ tightening mortgage lending standards, paring back home-equity and credit-card lines and lowering savings interest rates _ but they're receiving higher marks for at least one thing: their Web sites.

NEW YORK -- Banks have been disappointing customers many ways lately _ tightening mortgage lending standards, paring back home-equity and credit-card lines and lowering savings interest rates _ but they're receiving higher marks for at least one thing: their Web sites.

NEW YORK -- Banks have been disappointing customers many ways lately _ tightening mortgage lending standards, paring back home-equity and credit-card lines and lowering savings interest rates _ but they're receiving higher marks for at least one thing: their Web sites.

The move is expected to lead to a reduction in the stakes that are held by major banks. Credit card goliath Visa Inc. said Monday that it planned to raise as much as $18.8 billion in what would be the largest initial public offering in U.S. history.

The bank cited huge write-downs of mortgage-related securities and higher provisions for future losses in credit card and home equity loans.