Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term loans provide financing with a brief repayment period and often require collateral to obtain. These loans are generally capped at $2,000 and are often used by borrowers who are strapped for cash or who have a low credit score. Loan funds are…
Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
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…
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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…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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VIEW press/Contributor/Getty Images Wells Fargo is a financial institution that offers its customers personal, small business, commercial, corporate and investment banking solutions. There are currently around 5,600 branches and 11,000 ATMs nationwide. Wells Fargo Bank near me You can find a Wells Fargo retail banking…
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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
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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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MoMo Productions/ Getty Images Key takeaways As of July 2025, a federal judge abolished proposed federal rules to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. Medical debt over $500 will still appear on credit reports after one year in collections. If you have difficulties paying your medical bills, consider negotiating…
Key takeaways Fannie Mae, officially the Federal National Mortgage Association, is a government-sponsored enterprise that helps maintain liquidity in the mortgage market. It does not offer mortgages directly to consumers; rather, it sponsors various loan programs that can be obtained through approved lenders. Since its establishment in 1938, Fannie Mae…
Key takeaways To get the best mortgage rate, boost your credit score, lower your debt and save up a sizable down payment. Getting the best mortgage rate can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. Shop around for the best mortgage rate with at…
Key takeaways An add-on CD allows you to deposit additional funds after your initial deposit, unlike traditional CDs that only permit one deposit. You can continuously add money to your account throughout the CD’s term while earning the same fixed rate on all your deposits. Add-on CDs typically offer APYs…
Key takeaways When a CD matures, you have 5-14 days (grace period) to decide your next move without penalties. Banks automatically renew CDs at current rates, which may not be competitive for existing customers. Your main options include renewing, shopping for better rates, exploring other savings accounts, investing elsewhere or…
Key takeaways Small changes like meal prepping and canceling unused subscriptions can save $100 to $300 monthly. Automating savings into a high-yield account ensures you make consistent progress, even on limited income. The 50/30/20 budgeting rule helps allocate income: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings/debt repayment. Bank fees, subscription services…
Thinking about picking up some kind of extra work to make some extra cash? You’re not alone. Bankrate’s most recent Side Hustle Survey shows that 27 percent of American adults have some kind of work in addition to their full-time occupation. There are plenty of reasons to try to boost…
Roth IRAs can be appealing because they allow tax-free withdrawals and have no required minimum distributions (RMDs). For younger savers, paying taxes now for tax-free growth later can be a smart move. But, if you are near retirement, this strategy can be more complicated. Balances are typically larger, the time…
Key takeaways Full coverage car insurance coverage typically refers to a policy that includes state-mandated coverage types, plus comprehensive and collision insurance. Your state will not require you to have comprehensive auto insurance coverage, but your lender may. Comprehensive auto insurance is add-on coverage that provides financial protection for your…
Key takeaways The Citi Double Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® both offer cash back without an annual fee. Chase Freedom Unlimited offers boosted rewards in a number of categories, while the Citi Double Cash earns a flat rate on all purchases. Both cards are great for earning rewards on…
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