Key takeaways Personal loans come in many forms, including secured and unsecured loans, debt consolidation loans and personal lines of credit. Unsecured personal loans are common among lenders and don’t require collateral. Secured personal loans are less common and require collateral — but usually offer lower interest rates. You can…
Getty Images/Illustration by Bankrate Many investors look to gold as a way to preserve wealth against economic uncertainty and inflation. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to gain exposure to the precious metal, such as gold ETFs and physical gold. Another way to add gold exposure…
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 Debt consolidation may allow you to repay your debt faster and at a lower cost, simplifying your finances. The upfront costs associated with debt consolidation can eat into the savings associated with taking this step. If you have a good credit score or better, want to simplify your…
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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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Key takeaways Credit card fraud is the most common form of identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The four major credit card networks — Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover — offer $0 liability protection, AI-powered user authentication analysis, EMV chips and…
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NBC / Contributor / Getty Images This is part 1 of 2 of Bankrate’s ’90s era lessons miniseries. Stay tuned later this month…
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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…
Credit Cards
Key takeaways Adding authorized users to your business credit card account can make it easier for you to complete purchases and earn rewards…
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Key takeaways Renegotiating your loan terms, refinancing or making extra payments can help lower your car payment. You can also sell your current car and buy one with a more budget-friendly payment but watch out for high interest rates. Before you buy, shop around and save for a large down…
Investing in the stock market is one of the best ways to grow your money and build wealth over time. As businesses grow their earnings, shareholders are often rewarded with dividends and higher stock prices. Owning a diversified basket of stocks, such as an S&P 500 index fund, is one…
Maskot/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Fast business loans are usually available through online lenders that can approve and fund loans within one to two days. Expect shorter repayment periods and potentially higher rates and fees than traditional business loan options. Fast business loans typically have more…
Key takeaways Pet loans are a type of personal loan that can cover pet expenses, including routine care and surgeries. Pet loans are also available for purchasing a service, therapy or emotional support animal. It’s possible to qualify for a pet loan even with bad credit, but the interest rates…
Key takeaways Managing an equipment loan requires you to estimate loan repayments, add the payments to your budget and monitor your revenue to ensure you can cover expenses. Setting up automatic payments and saving money during profitable seasons can help you stay on track with repayments If times are tough,…
If you’re holding an underperforming annuity contract, dealing with sky-high fees or just looking for an annuity that better suits your needs, a 1035 exchange could be your ticket to better terms without triggering taxes. Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code lets you swap one annuity for another, tax-free.…
Key takeaways The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a respectable cash back rate, as well as the ability to select and change your top-earning bonus category each month. Members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can earn additional cash back on top…
Key takeaways Student credit cards have benefits geared toward those in college and are typically easier to qualify for than traditional credit cards. Depending on the card, you can earn cash back rewards and enjoy perks like waived late fees and purchase protection. Student cards may come with higher APRs…
Key takeaways Unconventional personal loans are offered by non-traditional lenders, such as online lenders and lending marketplaces. For borrowers with low or no credit, getting an unconventional loan can be easier than getting a traditional loan. Lenders for unconventional personal loans typically operate exclusively online. If you’ve tried to borrow…
If you’ve been wondering how tariffs might impact how much you’re spending at the store, you’re not alone. If you’re also an investor wondering how those same tariffs will eventually impact the retail stocks in your portfolio, you’ve got double the reason to pay attention. The good news is, there…
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