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Banking

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How to open a certificate of deposit (CD)

Banking
Everything you need to know about opening an account.
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How to start saving (even if you’re starting from scratch)

Banking
Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is hard. Here are some ideas to help you start.
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How to transfer money from one bank to another: 4 ways

Banking
Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.

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Experts in all things banking

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

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Senior Economic Analyst

Banking data studies

Money next to flashing sirens
Over 1 in 3 people tapped emergency savings in the past year, per a new Bankrate survey.
Piggy bank with doctors equipment. Cute and comical
A mid-year checkup is the most effective way to ensure my finances are on track.
And elderly couple discussing HYSA options
Two-thirds of American savers say they’re earning rates below 4% APY. Here’s why.

Featured by names you know and trust

Latest articles

Illustration of two hands holding phones, sending physical gold coins to one another.
Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.
A person calculates interest.
Compound interest is a powerful force for people who want to build their savings.
woman at ATM
Our top 5 picks scored highly for access, range of products and digital options.
Man watering plants
Interest is the price you pay to borrow money or the cost you charge to lend money.
Mature woman helps her daughter study for exam
High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
woman depositing a check on her phone
There are several ways to deposit a check — some are simpler than others.
Young Woman Depositing Check With Smartphone
The amount of time for a check to clear can vary from check to check.
Coworkers discussing a project
Here’s how to find the credit union that will best fit with your financial needs.
Side view of father cooking food while daughter having apple in kitchen
These simple moves can help you build a cash cushion.
Senate building in Washington DC
Sweeping changes at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) signal what would be a significant shift in banking regulation under the Trump administration. While regulatory changes might sound like [...]
Mother and daughter putting money in piggy bank
Knowing how these accounts work, and how they differ, can help better your finances.
Cheerful young student woman excited with good news
Adding more to your savings goals is easier than you think. Here’s how.
A Capital One bank branch in Manhattan in New York
The CFPB dropped its lawsuit alleging Capital One cheated customers out of interest.
Person working on a computer on an office couch and drinking tea
Here’s the difference between APY and interest rate.
Bank teller with customer
It’s possible to negotiate a higher-yielding savings account at your bank.
Teller at brick-and-mortar bank
Keeping your savings in a bank down the street may seem like the obvious play, but there may be real downsides for doing so.
Woman watering plants.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
Woman Inserts Cash Into Wallet
If you think rates may rise again soon, a bump-up CD could be what you’re looking for.
Woman at laptop
Planning for retirement? Here’s what you need to know about IRA CDs.
Man using laptop in kitchen
Callable CDs can offer a higher yield than traditional CDs, but there’s a catch.
A man does research on his laptop.
Add-on CDs can offer more flexibility than a traditional CD.
woman working on her laptop at the kitchen table
CDs come in many varieties, making it easy to find one that meets your needs.
Illustration of calculator and stacks of cash
If you have $25,000 to invest in a CD right now, here’s how much you could earn.
Illustration of a bar graph, moving down from left to right.
When policymakers and investors seek economic insight, they often use a tool called the yield curve. A yield curve measures the spread between yields on short- and long-term maturity bonds over time. It’s [...]
woman at ATM
Our top 5 picks scored highly for access, range of products and digital options.
happy couple signing papers
Earn more on your business cash with high-yield accounts offering competitive APYs.
Ally Bank logo
Ally’s money market account offers a high APY, no minimum deposit or monthly fee.
Business women discussing project at table in modern office
Business money market accounts offer higher yields while maintaining access to funds.
Man working on laptop and drinking coffee
Money market funds are available from several different brokers and fund managers.
man and woman working together at a computer in an office
Find the right business savings account to help your company’s money grow.
Person working at table with computer, drinking coffee and looking at smartphone
Learn why you need to check your APY.
couple with bank worker
Many of these banks offer low-fee accounts and higher yields than some of the biggest banks.
woman depositing a check on her phone
There are several ways to deposit a check — some are simpler than others.
Young Woman Depositing Check With Smartphone
The amount of time for a check to clear can vary from check to check.
Person reading credit card statement
Here are easy actions you can take to avoid the fee of get it waived.
A young woman is in the living room, she is using a laptop and credit card
Stop wasting time writing checks. Learn the faster, safer way to pay.
Planning, finance and couple with paper and laptop for budget
Here’s what you need to know about this high-yield checking promo.
The IRS has more than $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds for 2021
Get your tax refund faster and more securely by setting up direct deposit. Learn how to avoid common mistakes.
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If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
woman doing headstand
Your bank accounts have two separate balances: the current balance and the available balance. Here’s the distinction.