Are you looking to refinance your mortgage loan, or just curious to see if you can get a better deal? LendingTree is advertising refinance rates as low as 3.36% APR. After filling out a simple form, LendingTree will request the best refinance rates within its financial network.

Now is a good time to take advantage of current low mortgage rates before they rise. According to the latest Mortgage Finance Forecast by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), mortgage rates are projected to be 15% higher by the end of the year. Let's look at an example to see how this could effect your mortgage payment if you waited to refinance.

• Read more

Once again MetLife out sold its peers in fixed annuities during the first quarter of 2009. MetLife emerged as the new leader in the fourth quarter last year and since has had two of the five best selling fixed annuities in the market according to the Fixed Annuity Premium Study by Beacon Research.

In addition to products offered through MetLife, "the insurance carrier", MetLife is active in the banking industry operating as, you guessed it, MetLife Bank. It offers a range of savings products, home loans and reverse mortgages.

For the record, MetLife purchased a bank-holding company back in 2001 and was eligible to receive TARP funds as part of the federal bailout package. It decided to forgo federal funds because the company is "well positioned, with approximately $5 billion in excess capital," said MetLife Chief Executive Robert Henrikson.

Across the board MetLife has shown signs of stability. If you're looking for one company that can serve many investment needs, this company is a good choice to consider.

• Read more