Personal Finance
Use Bankrate's advice and tools to help make all of your personal finance decisions.
Latest Articles
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Current credit card interest rates
Bankrate’s current credit card rates are based on a weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts.
5 min read Sep 23, 2026 -
Want a lower credit card interest rate? Just ask
Call your card issuer if you want a lower interest rate, and be ready to negotiate.
5 min read Aug 11, 2026 -
Best starter credit cards
A starter card can be a great tool for practicing good credit habits.
6 min read Jul 10, 2026 -
7 reasons your credit card was declined — and how you can respond
Prevent rejection at the register by preparing for these common reasons credit cards are declined.
6 min read May 12, 2026 -
The state of women’s finances: How homeownership is becoming the great equalizer
Finance is different for everyone. We all inhabit our own money realities: white people and people of color, Gen Z and baby boomers, high earners and those with lower incomes. Women live in their own financial [...]
9 min read Apr 01, 2026 -
The ‘attorney model’ loophole: How debt relief companies scam people seeking help
When Coya Davis sought help for her $27,000 debt, she thought she found a lifeline. Instead, she entered a predatory scheme where debt settlement firms “rent” law licenses to charge illegal fees.
11 min read Mar 11, 2026 -
Building financial independence for women through financial literacy
Here’s why financial literacy is important for women and how they can attain it.
6 min read Mar 05, 2026 -
Affordability is a big problem. Lower rates won’t solve it
There is a lot in the news right now about high interest rates and unaffordability. But the rates aren’t the main problem. Here’s what is.
5 min read Feb 13, 2026 -
12 million Americans live in banking deserts. How hidden costs hold them back
Without nearby banks, consumers pay more to cash checks, borrow money and save.
14 min read Jan 20, 2026 -
Complaints of housing discrimination are rising. But no one’s there to listen
Amanda Gomez submitted hundreds of rental applications for an apartment in Harlem, New York, last year. Most were met with silence. Fifteen, however, were outright rejected. When she subsequently noticed [...]
9 min read Jan 14, 2026