Key takeaways Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut…
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…
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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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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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Key takeaways The amount you can afford for a car depends on whether you’re buying or leasing — the latter could be much cheaper and let you access more options. Your salary, debt-to-income ratio and credit profile could also affect how large of a car loan you’ll be offered. Be…
Key takeaways Your required minimum distribution (RMD) amount changes each year based on the IRS’s life expectancy calculation for your age. You calculate your RMD by dividing your year-end account value by the estimated remaining years in your lifetime, as per an IRS table. If you miss the RMD deadline,…
Yellow Dog Productions/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate You’ve picked out your new car at the dealership and qualified for a car loan, but before you can sign on the dotted line and drive away, the dealer says you need full coverage car insurance. Full coverage car insurance typically…
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the single most expensive mistakes you can make on the road. If you’re charged with a DUI, tickets and fines are only the start of your financial challenges — but the total cost of a DUI can add up…
Rolf Bruderer/Getty Images Key takeaways Gap insurance covers the difference between your claim payout and your remaining loan or lease balance if your car is stolen or totaled in a covered claim. Gap insurance is typically less expensive when purchased as a policy endorsement through your insurance company rather than…
For years, Americans have heard this mantra: There isn’t enough housing in the United States. The ongoing shortage explains why affordability is such a challenge, and why so many Americans are spending their 30s as renters rather than homeowners. The reality has grown a bit more complicated. As the housing…
This past Thanksgiving weekend saw a record-breaking 203 million shoppers, surpassing the 197 million in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation’s Annual Consumer Survey. Americans are gearing up to do more holiday shopping ahead of the holidays. In a world where consumerism often overshadows sentiment, consumers are looking for…
Faced with sticky inflation and a job market that’s losing steam, many Americans are feeling rattled these days. And when it comes to the year ahead, 32% think their personal finances will worsen in 2026, Bankrate’s recent Financial Outlook Survey found — the highest level of pessimism since 2018, when…
Robo-advisors automate the investing process for you, making it simple to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets — and they cost much less than a typical financial advisor. It’s little wonder that many investors have turned to them, and robo-advisors now manage hundreds of billions of dollars. What a robo-advisor does…
What Is the 4 Gift Rule for Christmas? A Financial Safety Net What the 4-gift rule for Christmas provides is a simple guide that helps keep spending focused, especially during last-minute shopping. The rule encourages giving four types of gifts: something wanted, something needed, something to wear, and something to…
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