As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than it did four years ago when he was last in office. President Biden enacted a slew of policies designed to lower payments and expand access to federal student loan forgiveness…
There is little chance that the Federal Open Market Committee will cut interest rates on January 29. Fixed income markets currently project a 99.5% chance that interest rates are held steady at their current level of 4.25% to 4.5%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. However, a March or May…
Tax returns are annual, and getting them filed also means starting the clock ticking for how long the IRS has to audit you. But when might you be in the clear? Your audit exposure is at least three years from when you file your return, but you might be a…
Home equity products turned in a slightly mixed performance ahead of the Federal Reserve’s first monetary policy meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) was unchanged at 8.28 percent — its lowest level in a year and a half, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.…
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Wildfires in southern California have burned at least 47,000 acres in the Los Angeles area—the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire,…
Washington is abuzz over whether Congress will address President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious policy agenda in one bill or two. But…
This founder built his brand on a simple idea: Forget about changing the world. Get rich doing mundane and even…
Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
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As wildfires roar across southern California, these natural disasters are not only destroying homes but taking lives. Home insurance costs also are taking on a whole new dimension. Those fears are propagating into the way home buyers look at new properties, into the shopping and…
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Key takeaways A balance transfer fee is what credit card issuers charge when you transfer debt, usually credit card debt, to another credit…
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It was a close call for a dog named Max when fire raged through his Altadena neighborhood. The brindle-coated Corso mix hid, huddled…
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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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In recent years, a wave of retiring baby boomers and high interest rates have helped fuel record-breaking sales in the annuity market. From 2022 to 2024, annuity sales topped $1.1 trillion, according to Limra, a global research organization for the insurance industry. In 2023 alone, annuity sales increased 23 percent…
Pekic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Both mortgages and home equity loans are secured by property. A mortgage is used to purchase the property, while a home equity loan taps the value of that property for various expenses. Compared to other forms of credit, both a mortgage and a…
Applying for a home equity financing is similar to applying for a mortgage. You may wonder, then, do home equity loans have closing costs? And how about HELOCs? While the average home equity loan closing costs can be comparable to primary mortgages — a range of 2–5 percent of the…
Key takeaways Comparing offers and rates is important before applying for a student loan. Federal student loans have a fixed interest rate, while private loans have fixed or variable rates. Interest on student loans can begin accruing immediately and can be capitalized, increasing the total amount owed. Student loan interest…
John Smith/VIEWpress/Getty Images Key takeaways The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card rewards you with 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations and EV charging stations, transit, select streaming services and phone plans. The card also offers some travel benefits — such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and…
Alistair Berg/Getty Images Key takeaways Credit card extended warranties can provide coverage for purchases with manufacturer’s warranties, potentially saving thousands of dollars on repairs or replacements. The terms and coverage of extended warranties vary by credit card, so it is important to read the fine print and understand what is…
The legacy Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is no longer taking new applications as of July 2024, although existing cardholders can still use the card. Those interested in the legacy Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card can check out the new Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit…
Key takeaways Credit inquiries can either be in the form of hard inquiries or soft inquiries, and they can happen for a variety of reasons. Hard credit inquiries occur when someone like a landlord or potential creditor is assessing your credit risk, and these kinds of inquiries can lower your…
Richard Drury/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) steadied at 8.28 percent this week — close to its lowest level in a year and a half, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. In contrast, the average $30,000…
Key takeaways Most major credit card issuers offer the option to easily lock and unlock cards through their online accounts or mobile apps. Locking a credit card can prevent impulse purchases and keep the account safe from fraud. Recurring transactions will still go through while a credit card is locked.…