U.S. equities slid lower for the second consecutive week following mixed U.S. economic data reports and the ongoing Congressional stand-off regarding the debt ceiling and stimulus negotiations.

Whether you plan to use a home equity loan to cover a major expense or consolidate debt, it’s not a decision to take lightly. To find the best bank for a home equity loan, you need to identify the lending terms that best fit your personal financial needs and goals.

Last week, the major averages closed near sessions lows, with the S&P 500 having five straight losing days for the first time since February. News that the U.S. is considering an investigation into Chinese subsidies adding to the nervous tone for the week and inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve’s plan to pull back on bond purchases later pushed the anxiety higher.

Before committing to your current mortgage lender for a home equity line of credit, consider exploring other options to ensure you’re finding the best HELOC lenders.

Once again, bad news was received as good news for equity markets last week as major U.S. indices continued their push higher despite an August employment report that fell well short of expectations.