Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate A construction loan is a short-term, high-interest loan used to finance building a home. Funds are paid out in phases over the course of construction and typically cover land, materials, contractor labor and permits. They tend to have stricter qualification requirements than…
The Federal Reserve isn’t expected to make any rate cuts at its January meeting, but its first gathering of the year still has a lot at stake for American households grappling with expensive borrowing costs, affordability challenges and a tough job market. The big question many Fed watchers are hoping…
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…
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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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Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images New technology has changed the way many people get around. Ridesharing has become an incredibly popular transportation option, and that’s especially true in big cities where Uber and Lyft drivers are easy to find. With just your smartphone and a few taps of your finger, you can…
Carlina Teteris/Getty Images With so many rewards cards strategies to consider — like bonus categories, travel points and miles valuations and more — some cardholders opt to go the simpler route. A flat-rate cash back card lets you earn a consistent, unlimited rewards rate for every purchase you make. Redemption…
Key takeaways With the back-to-school shopping season in full swing, families should take every opportunity they can to save money. One way to lower costs is to shop during a tax-free weekend or holiday, if one is offered in your state. To boost your savings further, pair tax-free weekend shopping…
Key takeaways Compound interest refers to the returns that you earn on interest. The impact of it grows significantly over long time periods. Investment vehicles like CDs, high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts can help investors take advantage of compound interest with a shorter time horizon. Any investment that…
A non-qualified stretch annuity extends the payout of an inherited annuity over time, rather than receiving the full amount in a single lump sum. While qualified annuities (such as those within IRAs or 401(k)s) are subject to strict rules under the SECURE Act, non-qualified annuities, which are funded with after-tax…
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates barely budged heading into the final Federal Reserve meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the fourth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity…
Key takeaways Mutual funds can be a great way to invest for long-term goals such as retirement. There are thousands of mutual funds focused on different asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Index funds are popular because of their low cost and diversification benefits. Millions of Americans use mutual…
A stretch annuity lets a beneficiary receive inherited annuity payments over an extended period rather than all at once. Spreading payments over time can create a steadier income stream and may limit how much taxable income is recognized each year. The remaining balance continues to grow tax-deferred while payments are…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate If you’re rethinking whether to spread the holiday cheer by tipping this year, you might not be alone. Fewer Americans are planning to tip their service providers this holiday season compared to last year — from their housekeepers, trash collectors and gardeners to mail…
Got a lead foot in Georgia? The financial sting of a speeding ticket extends beyond the upfront costs, which can range from $25 to $500, depending on how fast you were driving. In addition to state fines, drivers in Georgia pay an average of $702 more per year for car…
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