Key takeaways A bank statement loan allows you to qualify for a mortgage using bank statements rather than pay stubs or tax returns. It’s most often used by self-employed borrowers. Not all mortgage lenders offer bank statement loans. You might need to work with a mortgage broker to find one.…

Key takeaways Mobile banking apps now offer AI-powered financial insights, biometric security, real-time fraud detection and automated savings tools beyond basic account access. According to Chase, 86% of consumers prefer to use a single app to do their banking. When selecting an app, prioritize security features, user experience and financial…

Hispanolistic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Offered by many financial institutions, online bill pay is typically a free, secure service that enables consumers to make various types of payments electronically. Payments made via online bill pay can be made using a website or an app. Keep track of your…

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Credit: Marje/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate If your credit needs work, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t qualify for a mortgage. There are lenders and loan programs for borrowers with bad credit, including FHA loans. However, you’ll have your work cut out for you:…

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VIEW press/Contributor/Getty Images Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, offering various innovative solutions for individuals, businesses, large corporations and governmental entities. It currently has financial centers and ATMs in 39 states and Washington, D.C. available to serve you. Bank of America near me To find…

Lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve are often something you can only fully appreciate in hindsight. A single quarter-point cut won’t move the needle on a household’s budget. Multiple cuts over time, however, are where the real savings start to add up.  If officials at the U.S. central bank…

Sabrina Leonard’s life has grown more difficult over the past two years. The 49-year-old Spring Hill, Kansas, resident has watched her rent, utilities and grocery bills steadily rise while her paycheck has remained the same. Things came to a head in early 2025. She was $600 short on rent, $700…

Key takeaways IRAs are a tax-advantaged way to save for your future. You can open an account even if you’re also investing in an employer-sponsored account like a 401(k), assuming you meet the other IRA eligibility requirements. The two main types of IRAs are traditional and Roth, but depending on…

Key takeaways If you’re looking to increase your credit limit, the best place to start is on your issuer’s mobile app or website. If that’s not an option, call your issuer directly and talk to them about the process. If your issuer denies your credit limit increase, find out why…

Holiday scams have become more challenging to spot than ever, especially with the rise of AI in 2025. Even though the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, it is also the time when fraudsters and cybercriminals are most active. Inboxes are flooded with “flash sales” and…

Key takeaways Most major credit issuers no longer allow co-signers, although a few issuers allow you to create joint accounts with another person. Becoming a credit card co-signer comes with significant financial risk and should not be taken lightly. There are many alternatives to applying for a credit…

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that…

Citi is an advertising partner. Key takeaways Getting preapproved for a Citi credit card reveals your odds of being approved without requiring a hard inquiry on your credit. There are several steps you can take to boost your chances of preapproval, such as monitoring your credit reports and improving your…

If you dream of owning a home, you’ll have a much easier time achieving it in certain parts of the U.S. A new Bankrate analysis finds that Pittsburgh, Detroit and Birmingham, Alabama offer the largest selection of homes that the typical homebuyer can afford. Affordability is much rarer in coastal…

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