Maca and Naca/GettyImages The average tax refund tends to be just over $3,000, but that number might climb to north of $4,000 in 2026, thanks to the massive tax bill that became law in 2025. That law included a higher standard deduction amount, more generous tax brackets and other changes…
ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
Christina Zelow Lundquist/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, bigger one. The borrower receives the difference between the two balances in cash. The terms of your refinanced mortgage might differ from your original loan, including a new interest…
Money is an uncomfortable topic for many, yet it’s an important ongoing conversation to have in a relationship. Financial secrets undermine trust. And for many, it may even feel like betrayal. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults (43%) believe keeping financial secrets is at least as bad as physical…
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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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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.…
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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 Do your research to decide which financial professional — a therapist, advisor or credit counselor — can best help you. It’s hard work to eliminate debt, so commit fully to the process. No matter which you choose, realizing you need help is the first step. Credit card debt…
10’000 Hours/Getty Images Key takeaways Opening a business checking account for your business finances is the best way to keep your business funds separate. Having a business checking account also allows you to easily track business tax deductions. Some business types aren’t allowed to use a personal checking account for…
Inflation remains a stubborn foe, according to new consumer price index (CPI) data. Over the past year, the all items index increased 2.9 percent before seasonal adjustment, according to August figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, released Sept. 11. This is up from the July reading of 2.7…
Since you likely didn’t have a federal student loan payment due for about five years, it’s understandable that your on-ramp to repayment might not have been a straight shot. You’d even be forgiven for missing the metaphorical freeway entrance, considering the mixed messaging from the Trump Administration. But many student…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Strategically combining three Citi cards allows you to both earn more rewards and squeeze out maximum value when you redeem them. The three cards that often make up the Citi trifecta are the Citi Strata Premier® Card, Citi Double Cash® Card and…
SolStock/Moment/Getty Images Key takeaways Don’t ignore potentially fraudulent credit card transactions; instead, take advantage of the protections and refund processes available through your card issuer. Confirm that the transaction is indeed fraudulent before taking action as mistaken accusations can cause problems. The Fair Credit Billing Act offers protections for unauthorized…
Alexandr Dubynin/Getty Images Key takeaways Personal loans aren’t among Bank of America’s product offerings. You can access a small, affordable short-term loan if you’re a current customer and meet the eligibility criteria. You can also explore Bank of America’s HELOC, car loan, mortgage and credit card products to get the…
By most objective measures, the U.S. housing market is in a rut. After peaking at 6.1 million existing-home sales in 2021, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), transaction volume dipped to just over 4 million by 2024. And 2025 sales are on pace to stay right around that…
Siri Stafford/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Closing costs can vary significantly by state, ranging from less than 1 percent of the home’s sale price to nearly 3 percent. Washington, D.C. has the highest average closing costs in the country, while South Dakota has the lowest. Homebuyers…
Key takeaways Alternative lending offers accessible eligibility requirements to help you get funding even with subprime credit or finances. Many alternative lenders don’t restrict how you use the funds and often pay out within 24 to 48 hours. Due to short terms and high interest rates, you can expect a…
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