Karen Bennett

Senior consumer banking reporter

EXPERTISE

Banking
Personal finance
Credit cards

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in English, University of Illinois
Master’s degree in journalism, Columbia College Chicago

Karen Bennett is a senior consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. She uses her finance writing background to help readers learn more about savings and checking accounts, CDs, and other financial matters.

Karen brings decades of writing and reporting experience to the table, including the roles of credit cards writer for travel website Million Mile Secrets and money and career writer for The Cheat Sheet. Her work has also appeared in USA Today, Illinois Legal Times, and several Chicago, Milwaukee, and Washington, D.C. newspapers. In addition, she’s worked in the areas of marketing and business development, and she was product manager for a consumer money-saving website.

When she’s not writing Bankrate articles, she can often be found cheering her kids on at soccer games, cooking and reading up on saving for retirement and other personal finance topics.

Karen's latest articles

5 ways I trimmed $40 from my Thanksgiving grocery bill in 2024

With some planning and preparation, this is how I reduced my Thanksgiving grocery bill.

4 min read Nov 22, 2024
Top CD rates today: November 22, 2024 | Rates remain elevated for now

Discover today's top CD rates and gain insights on how economic trends impact your yield with Bankrate's expert analysis of CD products.

5 min read Nov 22, 2024
3 innovative ways banks are helping protect you from financial fraud

Banks are working to keep customers safe through AI apps and human interaction.

8 min read Nov 22, 2024
Top CD rates today: November 21, 2024 | Lock in your rate now

Discover today's top CD rates and gain insights on how economic trends impact your yield with Bankrate's expert analysis of CD products.

4 min read Nov 21, 2024
Check or calculate the value of a savings bond online

Knowing a savings bond’s value can help you decide whether to hold it or redeem it.

3 min read Nov 21, 2024
Top CD rates today: November 20, 2024 | Rates remain elevated for now

Discover today's top CD rates and gain insights on how economic trends impact your yield with Bankrate's expert analysis of CD products.

7 min read Nov 20, 2024
How to balance your checking account and why it matters

Balancing your checking account may sound dated, but it still makes sense.

5 min read Nov 20, 2024
7 low-risk ways to earn higher interest

It’s a low interest rate environment, but there are ways to earn more on your money.

7 min read Nov 19, 2024

What is the average interest rate for savings accounts?

Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.

3 min read Nov 21, 2024
What to do if a bank rejects you for a checking account

Your banking past has come back to haunt you. Here’s how to ask for a second chance.

3 min read May 02, 2024
APY vs. interest rate: What’s the difference and why it matters

Here’s the difference between APY and interest rate.

4 min read Aug 31, 2023
What is a SWIFT code?

You’ll need a SWIFT code for international wire transfers. Here’s how to find one.

2 min read Aug 14, 2023
How to join a credit union: Here’s what to do to become a member

Here’s what you need to do to become a credit union member.

3 min read Jul 18, 2023
6 ways to manage finances with multiple income streams

These strategies will help you manage multiple income streams.

4 min read Jul 18, 2023
Saving money from your summer job: Top tips for students

These tips can help students maximize savings from their summer job earnings.

3 min read Jul 17, 2023
5 tips to make sure revenge spending doesn’t wreck your wallet

As you look ahead to opening your wallet again, consider these key tips for avoiding revenge spending.

4 min read Jul 12, 2023