Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity borrowing costs have dropped to levels not seen in about three years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell 13 basis points to 7.31%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan edged down two basis…
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates rose this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.23%, up from 6.18% 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 low 30-year 6.23%…
If you’re scrambling to compile tax documents as the filing deadline approaches, you’re not alone. A tax extension can offer welcome breathing room, but it also comes with rules and potential pitfalls that many taxpayers misunderstand. Knowing how long an extension lasts, what it does and doesn’t cover and what…
Credit card debt is one of the most common financial challenges couples face, and learning how to manage credit card debt together can strengthen both finances and relationships. Honest communication, shared financial goals, and a clear plan can turn tackling credit card debt together from a stressful situation into 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…
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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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…
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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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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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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…
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 Federal Reserve made no changes in its January 2026 meeting, keeping the target rate at 3.50-3.75%. The end of 2024 and through 2025 stabilized auto loan rates, and Bankrate experts predict auto loan rates are unlikely to shift much through 2026. Car prices have increased, and inventory shortages have…
Sixty percent of Americans under age 65 — that’s about 164.7 million people — receive their health insurance through their employer, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. That means losing a job can feel like a one-two punch: the loss of both income and health insurance. Then comes the…
Would you be upset if you found out your partner had a credit card you didn’t know about? On the flip side, have you ever fudged the numbers with your spouse about a recent shopping spree? Romantic relationships can come with mixed feelings about money. That’s why we asked more…
You’ve heard of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans, which let you borrow against the value of your home, getting ready cash for renovations, debt consolidation or anything else. But jumping through the income-qualification hoops that characterize much home-based financing may be difficult for borrowers with…
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. government. Joint accounts receive $250,000…
Key takeaways CD early withdrawal penalties typically cost 60 to 365 days of interest, with longer terms carrying steeper penalties. Breaking a CD early may be worth it if you need funds to avoid high-interest debt, make a major down payment, or lock in significantly higher rates. CD early withdrawal…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate No movement in home equity rates, as the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026. The $30,000 home equity line of credit and the five-year $30,000 home equity loan were flat for the week, remaining at 7.44% and 7.92%, respectively,…
Key takeaways An emergency fund helps ensure you can handle unplanned expenses, whether from a job loss or a substantial car repair or medical bill. Saving three to six months’ worth of essential expenses is often recommended, but individual circumstances may require saving more or less. Automating savings and using…
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