Lucy Lambriex/Getty Images Key takeaways Secured loans are popular for startups because they can be easier to qualify for and come with lower interest rates Unsecured loans are harder to obtain for new businesses and often require a personal guarantee Alternative financing options such as crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, business grants,…
Key takeaways Millions of homeowners with high mortgage rates are hoping for rates to come down so they can refinance. Rate movement is notoriously difficult to predict, though, especially in today’s volatile economic environment. If you’re anxiously awaiting lower rates, here are some economic bellwethers to keep an eye on.…
Debt doesn’t mean you have to send all your extra cash toward repayments and stop enjoying your life. It is possible to carry debt while still traveling, replacing worn-out clothes and spending time with loved ones on the weekends. Nobody wants debt freedom at the expense of their joy. But…
Key takeaways Foreclosure happens when a homeowner defaults on their mortgage payments and the lender takes control of the property. U.S. foreclosure rates are currently at record low levels, decreasing by 10 percent in 2024. Experts, who had expected foreclosures to return to pre-pandemic levels by now, have struggled to…
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While there has been much conversation on not buying from companies with poor diversity, little has been said about investing…
Lifestyle inflation occurs when your expenses increase as you earn more income. It can start subtly—dining at pricier restaurants, upgrading…
Chime, the largest digital bank in America, grew its revenue to $1.7 billion in 2024, an increase of roughly 30%…
Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
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“I’m the one who denies your claim.” That’s my go-to line at cocktail parties when someone asks what I do for a living. It’s not technically accurate — but it gets a laugh. Most people don’t know what insurance adjusters do, and few want a…
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Level 2: Discover the Fastest Way to Pay Off Debt With Rules and Challenges When looking for the fastest way to pay off…
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Apple, FedEx and Oracle all got loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. But rules and red tape keep many banks from making…
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Dennis Diatel Photography/Getty Images Investors are facing a number of challenges right now. Tariffs, sticky inflation and uncertainty regarding monetary policy are rattling the stock market. On top of that, the crypto market has also felt the pressure, as digital asset prices have struggled to keep up with the momentum…
Key takeaways High credit card interest rates can make it harder to get out of debt for those carrying a balance on their credit cards from month to month. Credit unions and smaller banks tend to offer lower interest rates than large issuers, according to data from the Consumer Financial…
Survey: Experts See The 10-Year Treasury Hovering Around 4% A Year From Now Despite Recession Fears
Investment analysts expect the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note to be somewhat lower a year from now, according to Bankrate’s First-Quarter Market Mavens survey. The survey found that analysts expect the rate to fall to 4.08 percent, from 4.25 percent at the end of the survey period on…
Key takaways Regularly researching and potentially getting a new credit card can help you maximize perks and rewards. If your credit card score has improved or your life circumstances have changed since you initially applied for your current primary credit card, a new card could offer better perks. Make sure…
Forty-six percent of respondents favor international stocks over the coming year. Thirty-nine percent picked U.S. stocks to outperform international stocks. Fifteen percent said the returns between the two would be about the same. The preference for international stocks was a divergence from the fourth quarter, when 90 percent of respondents…
standret/GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Stocks are volatile. That much is understood by most investors, but what exactly is volatility and how is it measured for the overall stock market? You may have seen references to something called the VIX, an index that measures volatility, during times of extreme financial stress.…
Just in time for summer travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a new elevated limited-time welcome offer to help you earn and redeem more Chase Ultimate Rewards points when booking your next trip. Here are the details. Limited-time Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome offer For a limited time, the Chase…
In today’s fast-paced world, managing finances can be overwhelming, especially when faced with mounting debt. Credit counseling emerges as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking to regain control over their financial health. Offered typically by nonprofit organizations, credit counseling provides a structured approach to overcoming debt and achieving financial…
In the wake of the stock market’s downturn to start 2025 — spurred by a slowing economy and U.S. President Donald Trump’s embrace of global tariffs — investors may be worried about a possible stock market crash or even a recession. Stocks can rise or fall on any given day,…
Buying a home in Mississippi may be more within reach than in other parts of the country. The state offers relatively affordable real estate, especially for first-time homebuyers working with a modest budget. Even with lower housing costs, you may still need help covering the upfront expenses of a home…
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