Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.27%, up from 6.19% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week…

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 factors. The annual percentage rate,…

Bloomberg Creative/Getty Images Key takeaways The federal funds rate impacts how expensive it is for lenders to loan money, so consumer loan rates typically change when the federal funds rate changes. During the Federal Open Market Committee’s December meeting, the regulatory body announced it would drop the target rate by…

Ariel Skelley / Getty Images Key takeaways Interest rates on federal student loans are set on July 1 each year for loans disbursed from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Borrowers with existing federal student loans will not see any changes when the Fed lowers interest rates.…

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PC Photography/Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways With owner financing, the homeowner or seller extends a loan to the homebuyer, rather than a bank or mortgage lender providing the loan. The contract can be structured in a number of ways, including as a…

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Key takeaways Online banks typically offer higher annual percentage yields on savings products and charge fewer fees than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. If you need to deposit cash regularly, you’ll likely want the convenience of a brick-and-mortar bank’s ATM network as many online banks don’t accept cash deposits. Large brick-and-mortar banks…

In her half-century on earth, Torry Holmesly has been subjected to neglect, violence, eviction and homelessness. So, if you ask her about what life is like in a banking desert, forgive her for looking at you funny. And yet, Holmesly, 50, is far from a fool. She knows that not…

Dmitrii Marchenko/GettyImages Key takeaways With a Roth IRA, you contribute money without getting an up-front tax break (unlike a traditional IRA, which offers a tax deduction in the year you contribute). The tax break comes later: You can withdraw your money tax-free in retirement. Ideally, you keep your money in…

Vladimir Vladimirov/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders are prohibited from discriminating against applicants because of their age. As a result, older people — like those in other age groups — generally can get mortgages and other home loans if they meet…

How Long Does Collections Stay on My Credit Report? Also keep in mind that just because a lender or agency loses the ability to pursue you legally for a debt, the debt doesn’t automatically disappear. The debt will remain on your credit reports for 6-7 years from the date of…

I’m a big fan of getting money back from purchases I would have made anyway. I rarely carry cash, use a debit card or write a check. Instead, I used three credit cards for most of my purchases in 2025, and when all was said and done, I earned close…

Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate The average savings account rate is a benchmark for the overall interest-rate environment, but it’s not a rate you should settle for. Rather, aim for an annual percentage yield (APY) many times the national average, such as those offered by high-yield savings…

Reaching your 80s doesn’t automatically mean saying goodbye to income taxes. Many retirees live on fixed incomes and may owe little or nothing to the IRS. However, others with pensions, investment income or retirement withdrawals may still face tax obligations. The key to understanding your tax situation in your later…

MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and may have more lenient qualifications than conventional loans. FHA loan limits vary by location, but in 2026, they’re generally between $541,287 and $1,249,125 for single-family homes. You can find FHA loan limits for your area…

The IRS generally treats unemployment compensation as taxable income. If you don’t plan for this, or don’t withhold money from your weekly payments, you may owe money when you file your tax return. State tax rules vary, too, which can further impact your final tax bill. Knowing how to report…

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