Gold hit an all-time high this week, reaching $3,819 per ounce — and, for the first time in half a century, topping its 1980 peak in inflation-adjusted terms.The yellow metal is now up 45% this year, making it by far the best-performing asset class of 2025, outpacing Wall Street’s crown…
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FINTECH SNARK TANKThe 2023 launch of instant payments via FedNow was heralded as a milestone in the modernization of US payments infrastructure. Real-time settlement, once a distant goal, was now a reality. Despite the fanfare, most financial institutions have taken only tentative steps toward adoption. According to…
Key takeaways Car prices, monthly payments, and insurance costs all rose during 2024. Good credit scores are key to securing good auto loan rates. APRs are decreasing for super prime and prime borrowers but rising for all other borrowers. Consumers should keep an eye on increased overall costs for new…
Wasan Tita/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways A down payment is the portion of a home’s purchase price the buyer isn’t financing with a mortgage. The amount is paid upfront at closing. Depending on the buyer’s finances and the type of loan, down payments typically range from 3…
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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…
If a society is going to make intelligent choices in policy, it helps to understand reality, which includes facts and…
New York startup Casap has raised $25 million in new funding to help banks tackle the thorny problem of credit…
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If you need retirement funds for living expenses now, paying taxes on a Roth conversion may cost more than it saves. But, if you plan to keep the money for growth or pass it on to heirs, a conversion can help you avoid future required…
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Key takeaways With debt forgiveness, creditors pardon some or all of your debt. Various types of debt may qualify for forgiveness. Debt forgiveness…
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The collapse of the plastics treaty talks in Geneva was disappointing, but not surprising. Building global consensus on an issue as complex and…
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Key takeaways Fleet fuel cards are specialized credit cards designed for businesses to manage and track their fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses. Different fleet cards offer various benefits, including rewards, fuel discounts and analytics for tracking vehicle movements and expenses. Businesses can choose a card based on fleet size and…
Key Takeaways Consolidated Payments: Debt management plans simplify the process of managing unsecured debts, by consolidating various debts into a single monthly payment, reducing the risk of missed payments. Personalized Assessment: A debt management plan (DMP) begins with a detailed financial assessment to tailor a repayment plan that fits your…
Direct deposit makes getting paid fast and easy since the money appears in your bank account automatically, without needing to go to a bank. Some banks allow you to receive direct deposits even faster — by up to two days — through early direct deposit. Early direct deposit can help…
Shannon Fagan/Getty Images Key takeaways Hostile takeovers often begin as friendly offers. The acquiring company may make an offer to the target company as it quietly works in the background to convince board members and management to take the deal. A potential acquirer can force the deal in one of…
Key takeaways A portfolio line of credit allows you to borrow money against your investments, similar to other types of secured loans and lines of credit. This line of credit typically has lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than other borrowing methods. Not all accounts allow you to…
Retiring at 62 with little money can feel daunting, but it is possible with the right strategies. Many people reach their early 60s without a large nest egg. However, they can still create a sustainable lifestyle by combining Social Security benefits, part-time income and careful budgeting. Understanding how to reduce…
blackCAT/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Almost 3 in 4 Americans (74 percent) have a credit card, but nearly half of those cardholders (46 percent) are in debt. The average American holds between 3 and 4 active cards in their wallet. Credit is also the most popular payment…
If you have no credit or need to rebuild credit after some credit missteps, credit builder apps may be worth considering. The best credit-building apps offer short-term loans and alternative data reporting that can improve your credit score with little to no cost. Results aren’t guaranteed and will vary depending…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Paying off your mortgage early can give you a sense of security and more flexibility in your budget. Paying off your mortgage also ties your money up in your home. You won’t be able to access it unless you do…
Retiring comfortably is a common goal for many working Americans, but a majority say they’re behind on their retirement savings. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Retirement Savings Survey, three in five American workers (58 percent) say their retirement savings are behind where they should be. More than one-third of American workers…
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