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Key takeaways Access to credit is tightening for all consumers, but particularly for consumers with subprime credit scores of 699 or lower. Both new and used vehicle prices remain high, and approvals for subprime borrowers have declined since the first quarter of 2025. Pre-tariff inventory is declining, and vehicles manufactured…
Key takeaways Leasing an electric vehicle (EV) allows you to test out the driving experience without committing to full ownership. A lease will often have a lower monthly payment than an auto loan, and some leasing companies will offer an upfront discount that covers the federal tax rebate. Buying an…
To pay off holiday credit card debt fast, you should prioritize high-interest debt using the “Avalanche Method.” In addition, increase your payment frequency to weekly/bi-weekly instead of monthly and immediately apply financial windfalls like tax refunds to your principal. Combining these steps with a strict 2026 budget and professional credit…
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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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Luis Alvarez/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways There is no minimum credit score required to buy a car, but most lenders have minimum requirements for financing. Most borrowers need a FICO score of at least 661 to get a competitive rate on an auto…
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What Is the 4 Gift Rule for Christmas? A Financial Safety Net What the 4-gift rule for Christmas provides is a simple guide…
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OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKBankers wants to discuss AI strategy. They’re excited about chatbots, machine learning models, generative AI tools, and AI…
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SDI Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Banks exist that cater to specific political views, faiths, environmental concerns and social causes. Finding the right bank requires combining your core values with thorough research. Local banks and credit unions often support community initiatives that align with your beliefs. When choosing a bank, most…
Key takeaways Money market accounts combine the features of checking and savings accounts and are FDIC- or NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per depositor. Money market funds aren’t federally insured or regulated, but they are considered conservative investments with very low risk of principal loss. Top-yielding money market accounts currently pay…
Key takeaways Debit card spending limits are safeguards to help prevent excessive, unauthorized spending in the event your card or account details are stolen. Daily limits vary widely by bank. If you need to make a large purchase or regularly run up against your limit, you can ask for either…
As they struggle to persuade Americans to buy new homes, homebuilders have leaned hard on a new tactic: Builders’ mortgage arms are wooing consumers with cut-rate home loans. The average mortgage rate for new construction buyers was 5.27% during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 6.26% for buyers of…
If you have infractions on your driving record in the Garden State, including speeding tickets, at-fault accidents or a DUI, you may need to look for high-risk coverage from a New Jersey insurance company. Affordable insurance for high-risk drivers can take a little work to find, but by shopping around,…
Photo by Getty Images; Design by Bankrate Key takeaways Gap insurance — guaranteed asset protection — is specifically designed for drivers with outstanding loan balances on their vehicles. It is typically only available for vehicles less than three years old that have had no more than one prior owner. Gap…
Key takeaways Personal loans and home equity loans can provide a much-needed source of funding if you need cash. Personal loans are less risky because they’re unsecured, but they often come with higher interest rates. Home equity loans may be more accessible to borrowers with lower credit scores, but you…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Gap insurance in Texas, also known as guaranteed asset protection, helps cover the difference between what you owe on your car and its actual cash value (ACV) if it’s totaled or stolen. This optional coverage may be especially valuable for Texas drivers…
Key takeaways FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category — meaning a single person can protect far more than $250,000 by using different account types at the same institution. If you have $300,000 in one account, only $250,000 is protected — the remaining $50,000…
Key takeaways Opening a bank account online takes 10-15 minutes if you have your documents ready — you’ll need your Social Security number, government ID and proof of address. Online banks typically offer higher interest rates (currently up to 4.20% APY on savings) and lower fees than traditional banks because…
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