Key takeaways A portfolio loan is a type of mortgage that a bank or lender creates and retains — keeps in its portfolio — rather than selling in the secondary mortgage market. Portfolio loans sometimes have more flexible credit and financial requirements compared to conforming mortgages, but also tend to…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate It has never been easier to get started with investing thanks to an array of online brokers and robo-advisors, many of which offer investing apps that put financial markets in the palm of your hand. Many of these apps help to simplify the investing…
Debt settlement is when you negotiate with creditors to reduce the amount you owe in exchange for a lump sum payment. It might provide relief, but it comes with credit score impacts and tax obligations. Debt settlement is a financial strategy that involves negotiating with creditors, with the help of…
Key takeaways Your credit card’s grace period is the time between when your credit card billing cycle closes and your bill is due. In most cases, credit card issuers don’t charge interest on your purchases during the grace period. Once the grace period ends, interest begins accruing on your balances…
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Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
The Covid pandemic crushed immigration and demand for Nova Credit’s tech. Then its founder discovered a second line of business.…
A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than…
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If your investments made money, you might owe something called the net investment income tax (NIIT) on your profits. Although many investors are not likely to get hit with this bill, it’s important to know whether or not you’re subject to the NIIT to avoid…
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Key takeaways Governments often borrow money to cover deficits when taxes and other revenues don’t cover expenses. The national debt is the total…
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F or private financial technology companies, last year was a quiet one for fundraising. Fintechs raised $34 billion in 2024, down from $42…
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Key takeaways The Southwest Companion Pass is attainable by using Southwest credit card welcome bonuses to meet the 135,000-point requirement. Applying for a…
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Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Refinancing student loans is best when you can lower your interest rate or extend the term to lower your monthly payment. Eligibility for refinancing varies among lenders, so it’s crucial to prequalify and compare options. If refinancing isn’t the best option,…
Key takeaways Your billing address is an essential part of your credit card account. Not only do billing addresses tell credit card issuers where to send important items, but billing addresses also provide extra security when making purchases. Checking and changing your billing address is easy and, in…
Many investors might recognize blockchain as the technology behind popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. But its application extends across industries and services, too. Blockchain is essentially a string of information or “blocks” recorded on independent computers connected through a shared network. Each data block is frozen in time…
Key takeaways It’s possible to back out of an accepted home offer, but there could be consequences if you don’t plan ahead carefully. Building the right contingency clauses into the contract upfront makes it much easier to back out later without penalty. If you back out for a reason not…
Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Jessa Lizama/Bankrate For most investors, at least part of their portfolio is allocated to bonds, and for a good reason. Bonds provide income and stability, typically carry less risk than stocks, and add balance and diversification to portfolios. While this diversification benefit is crucial, it’s…
Paying the fine isn’t the only financial consequence of getting a speeding ticket in Virginia. The average full coverage premium for Virginia drivers with a speeding ticket is 21 percent higher than drivers with clean records — increasing from $2,136 to $2,591. Speeding tickets are fairly common, so there are…
Saving for a down payment on a home is a major financial goal for many people, but that effort shouldn’t get in the way of investing for other long-term goals such as retirement. However, there are things you can do to boost your savings until you’ve bought a home without…
Key takeaways A boosted welcome bonus can greatly increase the value of a new credit card, making it a desirable perk for cardholders to seek out. There are several ways to potentially unlock a boosted welcome offer, such as checking for pre-approval offers or asking the issuer directly. It is…
Hispanolistic/ Getty Images Key takeaways The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid choice for those who want some basic Delta perks with a more manageable annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers frequent Delta flyers more benefits plus the ability to earn Medallion Status…
Key takeaways Selling stocks to move into cash isn’t something you should do lightly. Think about your overall financial goals, the tax implications and why you’re interested in making the switch in the first place. Attempts to time the stock market by jumping in and out of stocks aren’t likely…
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