Christina Zelow Lundquist/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, bigger one. The borrower receives the difference between the two balances in cash. The terms of your refinanced mortgage might differ from your original loan, including a new interest…
Key takeaways Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut…
Key takeaways The Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set auto loan rates — but it does affect the cost for lenders to borrow money. The Federal funds rate was cut for a third and final time in 2025 and was not changed in the first meeting of 2026, so it currently…
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and, often, a lot of expenses. As the festivities wind down, many find themselves facing the reality of depleted bank accounts, credit card debt, and the daunting task of rebuilding their financial safety nets. An emergency fund serves as a…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
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Key takeaways The NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) insures credit union deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. NCUA insurance provides the same protection as FDIC insurance at banks. Both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Key takeaways To refinance your mortgage with a bad credit score, check with your current lender to start since you already have an established relationship with it. You can also explore government-backed loan options to refinance with bad credit, such as an FHA loan or VA loan, as long as…
Photography by Getty Images Key takeaways Balance transfer cards can be a helpful financial tool for paying off credit card debt or an expensive purchase over time without incurring interest charges. The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card* offers a cellphone protection benefit, not commonly found with this type of card,…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Certificates of deposit (CDs), savings and money market accounts all earn interest while keeping your money safe at federally insured banks and credit unions, but they differ in flexibility and access. Savings and money market accounts work best for short- to medium-term goals, since you…
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways A no-down-payment mortgage allows you to finance 100 percent of your home, but you’ll likely still have to pay closing costs — or roll them into your mortgage. VA loans and USDA loans don’t typically require a down payment. If you…
Key takeaways Financial literacy is the ability to handle everyday money basics — budgeting, paying bills on time, building a starter cushion and using credit responsibly. Financial fluency is a step beyond literacy: You understand financial concepts well enough to solve problems and deliberately use tools like credit, refinancing and…
Houston Chronicle/HearstNewspapers/GettyImages Key takeaways Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would permanently end taxes on the Social Security benefits received by retirees. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which became law in July, didn’t end taxes on Social Security benefits. Instead, it added a new bonus tax deduction worth up…
FG Trade/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Applying for a mortgage can cause a temporary dip in your credit score. Consistent, on-time mortgage payments help build your credit history and contribute to a higher score. Late mortgage payments harm your credit score, and they’ll stay on your credit report…
Photography by Getty Images Raising kids isn’t cheap. But one silver lining of your expenses increasing is that your credit card rewards can, too. Plus, when you add a spouse or older child as an authorized user, you can help them build credit, and you get to accumulate rewards from…
Logos by Ally Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Ally Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs, two leading online-only banks, offer high yields on their deposit products, including certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings. With little to no fees and low (or no) minimum deposit requirements,…
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