Key takeaways Looking at the past four decades, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage peaked in 1981, rising just above 16%. The average 30-year fixed rate bottomed in 2021 at just under 3%. So far in 2025, the average 30-year mortgage rate has fluctuated between 6.26% and 7.19%. As…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways In most parts of the U.S., a jumbo loan is a mortgage exceeding $832,750 as of 2026, but the amount varies by county. Jumbo loans generally require a higher credit score, a higher level of income or assets and a larger…
Closing on my mortgage almost three years ago felt surreal. I was 31 and holding a key to my own condominium in the heart of Seattle, a mere half mile from the Space Needle. I bought it alone, joining the growing number of single women purchasing homes — such an…
When Richard Amaechi, 27, lost his job as a financial planner in North Carolina, he decided to pull up stakes and return to San Francisco, where his parents still lived. The question was: Had his hometown become too expensive to welcome him back? The City by the Bay has been…
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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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Key takeaways After the Federal Reserve’s December rate cut, the U.S. central bank’s key borrowing benchmark now sits in a target range of 3.5-3.75%. The Fed’s monetary policy has shifted significantly over the years, from combating high inflation in the 1980s to dealing with recessions…
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Key takeaways Unsecured debt, such as credit cards, student loans, medical bills and high-interest loans can all be consolidated. Debt consolidation can simplify…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Image Source/Getty Images As the most populated state, California also has the highest number of drivers on the roads. With over 27 million licensed drivers, the state takes a hard line on violations like DUIs, at-fault accidents and speeding. Drivers with these infractions, along with inexperienced drivers, typically pay much…
Image by kolderal/GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Driving in New York isn’t for the faint of heart. Whether you’re dodging cabs in Midtown or gripping the wheel through Buffalo’s lake-effect snow, life behind the wheel in the Empire State keeps you on your toes. However, if you’ve had speeding tickets, an…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate The consequences of a speeding ticket in the Golden State extend far beyond the initial fine. In addition to penalties ranging from $35 to $200, California drivers see their average full coverage car insurance premiums jump by $1,215 per year after a…
Key takeaways You can responsibly use a credit card for large purchases if you pay off the balance before it starts accruing interest. Using a credit card to pay for large but predictable expenses — like groceries, travel and appliances — can help you earn rewards and access additional benefits.…
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…
Pet ownership can be expensive, with recurring expenses like food, supplies and veterinary care. A rewards credit card can help offset these costs, but finding the right card is tricky since bonus categories typically don’t include everyday pet expenses. Here are some of the better options available to help you…
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…
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…
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