Bankrate Archives

View moreAuto ArchiveAuto

26 tips to successfully shipping your car: There are several reasons you may want to ship your car rather than drive it. If so, read this.
National auto loan averages: Here are the average auto loan rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.
Top 11 dealer tricks: Most dealers aren’t really out to rip you off, but keep in mind that car dealerships are for-profit entities.

View moreBanking ArchiveBanking

Safe havens for your savings: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.
Are interest checking accounts worth it?: Are interest checking accounts worth the cost of maintenance?
Bank fees take flight: Banks are inflating their bottom line by hiking fees. Use our study to find the right account for you.

View moreCareer ArchiveCareer

4 ways employers can cut commuting costs: Creative employees and businesses have found four ways to cut daily commuting costs.
Turn your blogging hobby into cash: Writing on the Web for fun and profit isn't as easy as it sounds. Here's how it's done.
Can't afford tuition? Try these colleges: The best college plans offer a great education minus killer costs. Here are a few that fit the bill.

View moreCDs ArchiveCDs

Don't put $175,000 in a CD: It's a mistake to put $175,000 in savings into a single CD at today's interest rates.
CD Rate Trend Index: Will CD rates rise, fall or remain relatively unchanged? Experts and Bankrate analysts provide their insights.
National CD rate averages: Here are the average CD rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

View moreChecking ArchiveChecking

How long can a bank hold deposit?: Federal rules prevent a bank from taking a deposit and holding the funds for an indefinite period.
Are interest checking accounts worth it?: Are interest checking accounts worth the cost of maintenance?
Bank fees take flight: Banks are inflating their bottom line by hiking fees. Use our study to find the right account for you.

View moreCollege ArchiveCollege

Video: How to improve college chances: What can a 16-year-old do to help her get into the best school with a college scholarship?
Get payback for volunteer work: National service organizations are expanding to help students pay for college. Are they worth it?
4 ways to handle overdue student debt: College graduates who fall behind on student loans can turn to these tips to get back on track.

View moreCredit ArchiveCredit

How do I ... Close a credit card account?: Here are the steps to take to close your credit card account without damaging your credit.
How secret score cards affect credit: Score cards influence consumers' credit scores, even though you have no control over them.
Checking and reading your credit report: A bad or wrong credit report can cost you. Understand it and fix your credit before your finances are affected.

View moreCredit Cards ArchiveCredit Cards

National credit card rate averages: Here are the average credit card rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.
Will $1 million credit limit hurt score?: He wants to have a $1 million total credit limit on his cards. Will this hurt his credit score?
Co-signing puts mom in bind: A mother who co-signed her son's loan wonders if it's too late to save her credit score.

View moreDebt ArchiveDebt

Unsure of layoff? Save for job loss now: You don't have to wait to lose your job. Plan now, and start by saving more disposable income.
Should you pay debt before saving?: Should you pay down your debt before saving? It depends on your circumstances.
Credit cards not for car or house payment: By using short-term credit for a long-term purchase, you risk being socked with sky-high interest.

View moreHome Equity ArchiveHome Equity

National home equity loan averages: Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.
Refinancing a home equity loan: Consider refinancing your home equity loan when interest rates drop. Why? You could save money.
National home equity loan averages: Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

View moreInsurance ArchiveInsurance

How do I ... Determine how much life insurance?: Here's a step-by-step guide to determine how much life insurance you should have.
How do I …Use insurance as an investment?: Some life insurance policies can do more than just pay out when you die.
5 ways to save on auto insurance: Here's what to consider before you pay for protection now or risk the cost of a crash later.

View moreIRA ArchiveIRA

Spending your IRA on child's college: Tap your IRA without reducing your child's need-based financial aid. Here's how.
Video: Roth IRA vs. 529 plan: A Roth IRA has some benefits, but a 529 may provide extra tax deductions.
4 steps to undo a Roth IRA conversion: Follow these helpful hints to correctly recharacterize your Roth to a traditional IRA.

View moreMoney market ArchiveMoney market

Money market funds await new rules: What happens to money market funds after the Treasury Department's temporary guarantee expires?
Safe havens: Money market accounts: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.
Safe havens: Money market funds: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.

View moreMortgage ArchiveMortgage

New FHA condo rules may hinder mortgages: New rules may make it harder for condo buyers and developments to get FHA mortgages.
Mortgage rates fall for 5th week: Mortgage rates continued to decline, dropping to their lowest point since spring.
Interest Rate Roundup: See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

View morePersonal Loan ArchivePersonal Loan

Shopping for a student loan: When you search multiple loan options, you could be damaging your credit report. Here's the best way to shop
Does it pay to play by the rules?: Everywhere you look, someone is being rewarded for bad behavior. Does it still pay to play by the rules?
How to get the best loan rates: Find out how to get the best rates on a variety of loans in this tough lending environment.

View moreReal Estate ArchiveReal Estate

3 ways real estate can help retirees: Cash-strapped retirees can use real estate investments to boost their monthly income.
New FHA condo rules may hinder mortgages: New rules may make it harder for condo buyers and developments to get FHA mortgages.
Mortgage Rate Trend Index: Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages.

View moreRetirement ArchiveRetirement

3 ways real estate can help retirees: Cash-strapped retirees can use real estate investments to boost their monthly income.
How to create a retirement income stream: Accumulating money for retirement is easy compared to converting your investments to income.
What does money mean to you?: Our money stories are complicated, like Rorschach tests, says psychiatrist and author David Krueger.

View moreSavings ArchiveSavings

Safe havens for your savings: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.
Should you pay debt before saving?: Should you pay down your debt before saving? It depends on your circumstances.
Develop a savings plan: It's a lesson we forget too often as we become adults, but cultivating a savings plan is more important than ever.

View moreSmall Business ArchiveSmall Business

4 ways employers can cut commuting costs: Creative employees and businesses have found four ways to cut daily commuting costs.
4 ways to make cash online: If today's economy has left you in need of more cash, use the Internet to bring home extra bacon.
7 ways to minimize small-business risks: Make sure your small-business leaps of faith don't end in a crash with these tips to lessen risk.

View moreSmart Spending ArchiveSmart Spending

Check charity before giving: Check on the charity of your choice before you write any checks.
5 ways to give big on a shoestring budget: Nonprofit and philanthropic experts list 5 ways you can help charities even on a tight budget.
Trick and treat 'em: Halloween decorations: Throw a frightfully wicked Halloween shindig that will spook your guests, not your wallet.

View moreTaxes ArchiveTaxes

Meth production cooks up tax trouble: Is there at least a tax benefit for the property damage caused by a meth operation?
'Goofy' change coming to Roth IRA: A 2010 Roth IRA rule change will help investors, even if the logic behind it is a little "goofy."
Is IRA taxed for elder care?: You can minimize taxes paid on an IRA if you use the money to pay for a nursing home.

View morePlastic Rap ArchivePlastic Rap

Stripped-down BofA Visa: No overlimit fee, same APR for all transactions: Is this the new face of the credit card business?
Big no to annual fees: New study finds consumers will resist credit card annual fees and turn to debit cards or cash instead.
Card satisfaction falls: A new study finds that overall credit card customer satisfaction has sunk to a new low.

View moreMortgage Matters ArchiveMortgage Matters

Back to S&Ls?: A housing economist argues for ditching securitization and everyone should get mortgages from S&Ls.
Fed meets; lock your rate: If you're closing on a loan soon, it's a good idea to lock your rate before a Fed announcement.
TBW relief in October?: Taylor, Bean promises to clear up its mess by end of October; FDIC levels hefty fraud accusation.

View moreFed Outlook ArchiveFed Outlook

Fed to extend mortgage purchases: The Fed is going to wean the markets of their reliance on government support.
Obama to reappoint Bernanke: President Barack Obama has decided to nominate Ben Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Fed.
Fed to wean markets from Treasury buybacks: There were two notable remarks in the Fed's meeting statement.

View moreEye on the IRS ArchiveEye on the IRS

Cadillac vs Chevy health plans: Is your workplace health care policy an expensive one? Then it could face a tax under reform proposals.
Interest info could catch tax cheats: The IRS is going to pay closer attention to mortgage interest forms to help it catch scofflaws.
Private tax collectors are back: This time it's local governments that are selling delinquent property tax accounts to private firms.

View moreYour Wealth ArchiveYour Wealth

Charity: time's-a-wastin: In tough times, nonprofits are dealing with the double whammy of fewer volunteers and dollars.
Malibu party crashes: A Wells Fargo executive thumbs her nose at decorum, and feels the pain of the unemployed.
Spenders marry tightwads: Opposites attract when it comes to love and money, but it's a situation ripe for conflict.

View moreBank Shots ArchiveBank Shots

List of failed banks: numbskull nation: Humor columnist Jay MacDonald says 2009 bank failures raise the question "What's in a name?"
Dinosaur in mirror still young at heart: Humor columnist Jay MacDonald does a "geezer check" and comes to some sobering conclusions.
The beauty of numbers finally adds up: Humor columnist Jay MacDonald finally appreciates the beauty behind everyday numbers.

View moreBankruptcy Adviser ArchiveBankruptcy Adviser

3 approaches to bankruptcy after job loss: Try one of these options when your income drops and you're in jeopardy of losing everything.
Modify home loan before filing bankruptcy: Confirm mortgage modification in writing before you file for bankruptcy or the lender may void it.
Behind again after mortgage modification?: There are few options for someone in bankruptcy and who's already modified the mortgage once.

View moreBoomer Bucks ArchiveBoomer Bucks

Spotlight: Olivia S. Mitchell: Researcher Olivia S. Mitchell discusses results from one the most comprehensive aging studies ever undertaken.
529 prepaid plans more compelling now: Last week's Deficit Reduction Act wasn't all bad news, as it does provide some breaks for college plan savers.
10 financial tips for young people: These gems will help you on your quest for monetary success, says Boomer Bucks columnist Barbara Whelehan.

View moreCollege Money Guru ArchiveCollege Money Guru

Spending your IRA on child's college: Tap your IRA without reducing your child's need-based financial aid. Here's how.
Moving UGMA money into a 529 plan: Converting a UGMA account to a 529 means more need-based financial aid for college, and here's why.
529 plan: Moves to make now: Has your 529 plan been battered by the stock market turmoil? Here's what to do now.

View moreCredit Card Adviser ArchiveCredit Card Adviser

Will $1 million credit limit hurt score?: He wants to have a $1 million total credit limit on his cards. Will this hurt his credit score?
Stripped-down BofA Visa: No overlimit fee, same APR for all transactions: Is this the new face of the credit card business?
Are charge cards bad for credit scores?: The impact of a charge card, like an American Express card, depends on the monthly balance.

View moreDebt Adviser ArchiveDebt Adviser

Unsure of layoff? Save for job loss now: You don't have to wait to lose your job. Plan now, and start by saving more disposable income.
Credit cards not for car or house payment: By using short-term credit for a long-term purchase, you risk being socked with sky-high interest.
Bad news sticks to credit score longer: Remembering what elements affect your credit score will help to decide how to fix it.

View moreAsk Dr. Don ArchiveAsk Dr. Don

Unsure of layoff? Save for job loss now: You don't have to wait to lose your job. Plan now, and start by saving more disposable income.
Safe havens for your savings: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.
Don't put $175,000 in a CD: It's a mistake to put $175,000 in savings into a single CD at today's interest rates.

View moreDriving for Dollars ArchiveDriving for Dollars

Recoup $1,300 cost of new fuel standards: How long it takes to recoup the $1,300 jump depends on many things, including the price of gas.
New cars make splash at Frankfurt show: Go green. Drive in style. Feel the power. Automakers do it all at the Frankfurt show this year.
Dirty diesel has cleaned up its act: The eco-friendly "clean" diesel no longer belches smoke, and there's a tax credit for buyers.

View moreReal Estate Adviser ArchiveReal Estate Adviser

Transfer deed snatches your right to house: Interspousal deeds are commonly used to transfer property in a divorce. But you're still married!
Bailout can help you buy a home: The federal economic stimulus plan aims to help homebuyers and the housing market.
Buy down points to get the deal done: It's a win-win. You get a higher selling price on your home while the buyer saves big on a mortgage.

View moreTax Adviser ArchiveTax Adviser

Meth production cooks up tax trouble: Is there at least a tax benefit for the property damage caused by a meth operation?
Is IRA taxed for elder care?: You can minimize taxes paid on an IRA if you use the money to pay for a nursing home.
Roth IRA mistake costs plenty: An excess contribution three years ago to a Roth IRA will result in a penalty every year.

View moreBasics ArchiveBasics

Develop a savings plan: It's a lesson we forget too often as we become adults, but cultivating a savings plan is more important than ever.
Fixing mistakes on your credit report: Roughly 70 percent of all credit reports contain mistakes. It's your job to rectify them.
Building liquid savings: Basic savings and money market accounts will allow you to access your money and earn interest, too.

View moreExclusives ArchiveExclusives

Are interest checking accounts worth it?: Are interest checking accounts worth the cost of maintenance?
Bank fees take flight: Banks are inflating their bottom line by hiking fees. Use our study to find the right account for you.
6 tips to avoid checking account fees: If you pay checking fees, it's money draining out of your account. Here's how to avoid them.

View moreFame and Fortune ArchiveFame and Fortune

Fame & Fortune: Julia Ormond: A leading lady opposite Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, she's returned to acting after a break.
Fame & Fortune: Ashanti: After scoring big in music, TV and the movies, the singer has turned most recently to the stage.
Fame & Fortune: Katey Sagal: You know her as Peg Bundy on "Married ... With Children," but she also sang backup for Bette Midler.

View moreFinancial Literacy ArchiveFinancial Literacy

3 ways real estate can help retirees: Cash-strapped retirees can use real estate investments to boost their monthly income.
How to create a retirement income stream: Accumulating money for retirement is easy compared to converting your investments to income.
What does money mean to you?: Our money stories are complicated, like Rorschach tests, says psychiatrist and author David Krueger.

View moreLife Stages ArchiveLife Stages

Unsure of layoff? Save for job loss now: You don't have to wait to lose your job. Plan now, and start by saving more disposable income.
Safe havens for your savings: For many savers, safety is the name of the game. Following are seven low-risk ways to protect cash.
Don't put $175,000 in a CD: It's a mistake to put $175,000 in savings into a single CD at today's interest rates.

View moreNews Spotlight ArchiveNews Spotlight

Even in a recession, companies still hire: Even in a recession, there are ways to not only get a job, but to secure the one you have.
Keeping your money safe: Our special report explains how the FDIC protects deposits and what you need to know to keep your investments secure.
Borrowers look for mortgage modification: Homeowners who can't pay their mortgage can get a better deal from the lender. But it's a complex process.

View moreSmart Spending ArchiveSmart Spending

Check charity before giving: Check on the charity of your choice before you write any checks.
5 ways to give big on a shoestring budget: Nonprofit and philanthropic experts list 5 ways you can help charities even on a tight budget.
Trick and treat 'em: Halloween decorations: Throw a frightfully wicked Halloween shindig that will spook your guests, not your wallet.

Compare Rates

About our rates

About this index

Overnight Averages

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
30 yr fixed	5.02%		5.06%
15 yr fixed	4.49%		4.64%
5/1 ARM	4.19%		4.20%

View rates in your area:

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
30K HELOC	5.27%		5.29%
30K Home Equity Loan	8.33%		8.31%
50K HELOC	4.99%		5.02%

View rates in your area:

Product	Rate	+/-	Last week
48 Mo Used Car	7.09%		7.48%
48 Mo New Car	6.79%		7.07%
36 Mo Used Car	7.21%		7.42%

View rates in your area:

Product	Yield	+/-	Last week
6 Mo CD	1.30%		1.28%
1 Yr CD	1.73%		1.69%
5 Yr CD	2.90%		2.91%

Compare rates:

Product	Rate
Low Interest Cards	9.75%
Balance Transfer Cards	14.58%
All Variable	11.68%

Compare rates:

ByHolden Lewis

Mortgage Matters Blog »

mortgage

Rates hit record low

Mortgage rates drop to the lowest level in Bankrate survey's 24-year history; Deed for Lease details.

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