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Karen Bennett

Consumer Banking Reporter
  • 30
    Years of experience
Ribbon Icon EXPERTISE
  • Consumer banking
  • Savings accounts
  • CD rates
  • Money market accounts
  • Personal finance
Education Icon EDUCATION
  • Master of Arts in Journalism, Columbia College Chicago
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Illinois
  • Minor in Political Science, University of Illinois

Karen Bennett is a senior consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. Her expertise lies in finding the best savings accounts, checking accounts and CDs, as well as all things personal finance. She’s been a reporter at Bankrate since 2021, and she holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a bachelor’s degree in English.

Karen’s writing experience spans topics including bank accounts, saving money, budgeting, and credit cards, as well as lifestyle and health. She also spent time as a writer of product reviews and a reporter for local newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. In addition, she worked for over a decade as a writer and product manager for CoolSavings, a website devoted to saving money on groceries, travel and other products.

Karen stays on top of the latest in banking and personal finance. Topics she writes about for Bankrate include how to choose the best high-yield savings account, the latest statistics on checking account fees and ways to protect yourself from bank fraud.

On the personal finance front, Karen has covered topics such as progress for women in banking and the pitfalls of spaving deals (spaving is the act of spending more money to qualify for money-saving promotions).

When she’s not working, Karen enjoys working on her novel, as well as reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Karen beyond Bankrate

Karen talks with Yahoo Finance on ways to save more money each month

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How to budget for the holidays

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Karen’s 5 steps to a financial glow-up

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Ways to save at the grocery store

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The pillars of smart money management include having an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account, paying down debt, following a budget and living within your means.

— Karen Bennett

Karen's latest articles

  • Best Checking Accounts Of March 2026

    View Bankrate's list of the best checking accounts. Compare banks with high interest checking accounts and securely sign up online.

    8 min read Mar 23, 2026
  • MySavingsDirect Bank Review

    Read our experts' review on MySavingsDirect Bank's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    1 min read Mar 19, 2026
  • Golden 1 Credit Union Review

    Read our experts' review on Golden 1 Credit Union's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    1 min read Mar 19, 2026
  • USAA Review

    Read our experts' review on USAA's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    3 min read Mar 19, 2026
  • North American Savings Bank Review 2025

    Read our experts' review on North American Savings Bank's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    1 min read Mar 19, 2026
  • Santander Bank Review 2025

    Read our experts' review on Santander Bank's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    2 min read Mar 18, 2026
  • BMO Bank Review 2025

    Read our experts' review on BMO Bank's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    2 min read Mar 18, 2026