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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By all counts, the past month hasn’t been kind to small business owners. With the Bureau of Labor statistics reporting a nearly million-job shortfall since March, and with tariff worries sapping consumer confidence and spending, the current business landscape is looking tough. Despite this, business owners are remaining optimistic about…
Key takeaways Grants can help Black female business owners bridge the funding gap Many grants are tailored to specifically help Black business owners and women business owners overcome racial biases Grants designed to help minority business owners overcome barriers are currently facing legal challenges Additional resources are available, including minority…
Key takeaways Lenders deny loan applications due to reasons like poor credit, insufficient collateral, industry and more. Having a small business loan denied doesn’t mean businesses can’t secure one in the future. Before reapplying for a loan, determine why the previous application was denied and make sure you’re applying with…
Key takeaways Credit card shopping portals are offered through most of the major card issuers, and some airlines have dedicated portals of their own. An online shopping portal can help you ‘stack’ more cash back or points with the rewards you’re already earning with a credit card. To use an…
The appeal of the best dividend mutual funds should be clear: They offer a sizable dividend today, and they can grow in the future, helping investors win both ways. Plus, they offer other benefits, including lower risk through diversification. So the best dividend mutual funds are an attractive prospect for…
Key takeaways To refinance your mortgage with a bad credit score, check with your current lender to start since you already have an established relationship with it. You can also explore government-backed loan options to refinance with bad credit, such as an FHA loan or VA loan, as long as…
The IRS mandates withdrawals from pre-tax retirement accounts once you reach a certain age. These are referred to as required minimum distributions (RMDs). For many retirees, RMDs don’t change much since they already take out more than the minimum to cover living costs. But, for those who want to withdraw…
Photography by Getty Images Key takeaways Balance transfer cards can be a helpful financial tool for paying off credit card debt or an expensive purchase over time without incurring interest charges. The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card* offers a cellphone protection benefit, not commonly found with this type of card,…
MoMo Productions/Getty Images Key takeaways Certificates of deposit (CDs), savings and money market accounts all earn interest while keeping your money safe at federally insured banks and credit unions, but they differ in flexibility and access. Savings and money market accounts work best for short- to medium-term goals, since you…
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