Key takeaways If you have a FICO score below 580 or a VantageScore credit score below 600, you have poor credit. You can still get access to a credit card with a score in this range, but your options will be limited. Credit cards for bad credit include both unsecured…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates outright, but its decisions do play a role in the percentages lenders offer would-be homeowners. And even if the Fed keeps its benchmark rate unchanged, mortgage rates can still fluctuate. Here’s how the Fed’s monetary policy…
Looking for the best apps for stock trading to get your money invested in the market? There’s a growing list of apps to choose from, which can make the search intimidating, especially if you’re just starting to invest. The best stock market apps let you quickly trade, track your account…
A dashboard-mounted camera (or “dash cam”) won’t typically lower the cost of your auto insurance automatically. Almost no U.S. auto insurers offer a direct discount for installing a dash cam, but having one in your car could still have positive payoffs. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team looked into the technology and…
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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…
If a society is going to make intelligent choices in policy, it helps to understand reality, which includes facts and…
New York startup Casap has raised $25 million in new funding to help banks tackle the thorny problem of credit…
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Key takeaways APR reflects the total annual cost of a personal loan, including both fees and interest. Many lenders state their APR online to make it easier to compare before you apply. Your APR will be based on your credit score, income and other financial…
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Key takeaways A divorce decree outlines which spouse is legally responsible for each debt after the divorce is completed. States either have community…
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When it comes to selling coconut water to the health obsessed, New York’s Vita Coco has served up a master class, schooling even…
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Key takeaways Your credit report is a comprehensive document of your credit history that dictates your credit score and influences financial decisions made by lenders. Understanding your credit report can guide your spending and borrowing choices, leading to a better credit score. Regular scrutiny of your credit report is essential…
Key takeaways Scammers use texts, calls, emails and letters to create a false sense of urgency about debt repayment. Always ask for detailed information about the debt and the debt collector’s contact details to confirm their authenticity. Get familiar with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to know what…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Reversing its recent rise, the average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) fell five basis points this week. At 8.22 percent, it’s still holding close to its highest level of the year, however, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.…
Key takeaways Home equity loans and HELOCs (home equity lines of credit) both allow you to borrow against your ownership stake in your home. Both use your home as collateral, and may offer tax deductions if the funds are used for substantial repairs or upgrades. Home equity loans come with…
In the world of finance, an annuity is a contract between you and a life insurance company in which you give the company a lump sum or series of payments, and in return, the insurer promises to provide you with a stream of income, either now or in the future.…
Key takeaways Credit repair companies work on your behalf to find and fix mistakes on your credit report to boost your score. The fees and services may vary depending on the company you choose. You can do credit repair on your own, but it can be time-consuming. If your credit…
Key takeaways The U.S. Department of the Treasury is a better match than the Small Business Administration (SBA) for collecting federal student loans, but not ideal. The U.S. Treasury’s pilot collection program for defaulted federal student loans underperformed private collection agencies due to leniency. Using the wage withholding system for…
Imagine you get into a car accident: You dust yourself off, check the damage, maybe snap a picture or two. Then you call your insurance company. You start a claim; you take your car to the shop. Once your insurance adjuster and the body shop have taken care of everything,…
Alina Vasylieva/Getty Images Banks and credit unions both typically offer a number of financial products, including high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs). The main difference between the two is that banks are typically for-profit institutions while credit unions are generally not-for-profit. There are pros and cons to opening…
Key takeaways Business loans can range from as little as $500 to over $5 million. The amount of money a business can borrow depends on a variety of factors, including lender, type of business loan, business credit score and annual revenue. Offering collateral may increase your borrowing power. Business loans…
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