The Bankrate Expert Contributor Program

Ted Rossman is a senior industry analyst at Bankrate. He focuses on the credit card industry and helps consumers maximize rewards, get out of debt and improve their credit scores.

Stephen Kates is a CFP® professional and personal finance expert specializing in financial planning and education. He is a Financial Analyst for Bankrate, providing strategic insights on economic trends, wealth management, retirement planning, and personal finance.

Mark Kantrowitz is an expert on student financial aid, the FAFSA, scholarships, 529 plans, education tax benefits and student loans.

Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino is a money and self-care coach, educator, and podcast host dedicated to helping ambitious first-gen wealth builders achieve financial security without sacrificing their well-being. As the founder of Wealth Para Todos, Soledad specializes in guiding BIPoC, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals toward financial independence using a holistic approach that blends personal finance education with self-care.

Malcolm Ethridge is a financial planner, speaker, author, and podcast host who is passionate about all things personal finance. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and IRS Enrolled Agent (EA), Malcolm’s areas of expertise include retirement planning, investment portfolio development, tax planning and more. He is the Managing Partner at Capital Area Planning Group, a boutique financial planning and investment management firm based in Washington, D.C.

Chantal M. Roberts, CPCU, AIC, RPA, ITP, is an insurance expert, author, and educator with over 25 years in the insurance industry. She joined Bankrate in March 2025, bringing her extensive experience as a multi-lined claims adjuster, litigation consultant, and insurance trainer. Throughout her career, Chantal has specialized in complex claims, including business interruption, commercial property, cargo, and cannabis-related insurance.

Rick is the Founder and CEO of CJ Patrick Company, a market intelligence firm for companies in the real estate and mortgage industries. An acknowledged subject matter expert on the housing economy, Rick has been one of the country’s most frequently quoted sources on the U.S. economy, real estate, mortgage and foreclosure trends for the past 25 years, and has appeared on ABC, Bloomberg, CBS, CNBC, CNN, Fox, NBC, and NPR, and been featured in dozens of print and online media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Yahoo! Finance, and HousingWire.

Bernadette Joy is a nationally recognized personal finance expert, entrepreneur, and educator, passionate about helping people achieve financial independence. As the founder of Crush Your Money Goals®, she has helped thousands of professionals and business owners eliminate debt, grow wealth, and build financial confidence through her courses, workshops, and coaching programs.