Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
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…
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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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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…
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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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Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Lengthy credit card balance transfer offers can mean the difference between paying hundreds in interest and paying nothing at all. Balance transfer cards with 21-month intro periods can help you pay off debt, but they carry few benefits beyond the…
Key takeaways Credit card fraud is on the rise, but there are many systems in place to protect your identity and your finances. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits liability to $50 if you report the fraudulent charges within 60 days of receiving your statement. Many credit card companies offer…
Roth IRAs are known for tax-free growth and distributions in retirement. However, inherited IRAs come with their own rules and limitations that can complicate the picture. Whether you can convert an inherited IRA to a Roth IRA depends on both your status and current IRS guidelines. By understanding IRS law,…
Key takeaways Understanding what not to say when selling a home can help you maintain bargaining power and secure a higher price. It’s best to let your real estate agent do the talking when possible, to avoid revealing information that might negatively impact the sale. However, there is some information…
Vladimir Vladimirov/Getty Images The year 2025 has seen nothing but tailwinds for the emerging cryptocurrency industry. From the passing of the GENIUS Act, to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disbanding its crypto enforcement unit, crypto investors have plenty of reason for renewed confidence. But the rest of the year…
Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Arvest Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit…
Key takeaways Call options give you the right to purchase a stock at a specific price by a specific point in time. Call options can rise many times in value, making them especially attractive for traders who want to make a lot of money. Despite the ability to make a…
Key takeaways: President Donald Trump signed a bill in July that would implement cuts to Medicaid enrollment and funding, which will be rolled out over the next three years. The cuts would increase medical costs for many Americans with disabilities and may make it harder for some families to save…
Applying for a mortgage can feel like a daunting process, one that comes with lots of paperwork and a long list of mortgage terminology that you’ll need to understand. This guide covering the most common mortgage terms can help you sort through it all and navigate the process with confidence. …
MoMo Productions/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways You can check the value of your savings bond through the TreasuryDirect website. Even if you have paper savings bonds, you can check your value online, as long as you have the issue date, bond series and denomination with it. To get…
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