Karen Bennett

CONSUMER BANKING REPORTER

EXPERTISE

Banking
Personal finance
Credit cards

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in English, University of Illinois
Master’s degree in journalism, Columbia College Chicago

Karen Bennett is a consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. She uses her finance writing background to help readers learn more about savings and checking accounts, CDs, and other financial matters.

Karen brings decades of writing and reporting experience to the table, including the roles of credit cards writer for travel website Million Mile Secrets and money and career writer for The Cheat Sheet. Her work has also appeared in USA Today, Illinois Legal Times, and several Chicago, Milwaukee, and Washington, D.C. newspapers. In addition, she’s worked in the areas of marketing and business development, and she was product manager for a consumer money-saving website.

When she’s not writing Bankrate articles, she can often be found cheering her kids on at soccer games, cooking and reading up on saving for retirement and other personal finance topics.

Karen's latest articles

Best business savings accounts for February

Here are some of the best savings accounts you can sign up for as a business owner.

7 min read Feb 06, 2023
The best credit unions of 2023

These credit unions offer great rates and top-notch features — and many make it easy to join.

6 min read Feb 03, 2023
Best 6-month CD rates – February 2023

As rates rise, a short-term CD could help you take advantage of increasing yields.

7 min read Feb 02, 2023
Best 1-month CD rates — February 2023

Great one-month CD rates may be scarce, but depositors have other reasons to invest in them.

6 min read Feb 02, 2023
Best 5-year CD rates – February 2023

Here’s why the best 60-month CDs are more versatile than you might think.

10 min read Feb 02, 2023
Best 3-month CD rates — February 2023

The top 3-month CD rates pay nearly six times the national average.

6 min read Feb 02, 2023
Capital One CD rates

Here’s everything savers need to know about Capital One’s CD rates.

1 min read Feb 02, 2023
Best 3-year CD rates – February 2023

There’s more to a top three-year CD than just the rates. Read the fine print before you buy.

9 min read Feb 01, 2023
How the Federal Reserve impacts savings account rates

For savers, here’s what to consider when the Fed raises interest rates.

3 min read Feb 01, 2023
Best 18-month CD rates – February 2023

An 18-month CD may provide the right balance for your needs.

9 min read Jan 31, 2023
Best high-yield checking accounts for February 2023

These high-yield checking accounts reward your debits and deposits with great rates.

7 min read Jan 30, 2023
Marcus by Goldman Sachs CD rates

Here’s everything you need to know about the online bank’s CDs.

1 min read Jan 27, 2023
How to rebuild your emergency savings

Emergency savings depleted? Here’s how to start replenishing it.

7 min read Jan 25, 2023
10 ways to meet your savings resolutions in 2023

Make 2023 the year you get serious about saving for your goals with these 10 tips.

5 min read Jan 24, 2023
Citibank new account promotions: Bonuses for checking and savings accounts

Here’s everything to know about the offers to see if they’re the right fit for you.

3 min read Jan 19, 2023

Which type of bank is right for you?

There are various types of banks that fit specific needs. Find out which bank type is right for you.

5 min read Oct 12, 2022
6 early payday apps

Bills are due but payday is days off? These options can help you stretch your funds.

6 min read Oct 10, 2022
Investing in FinTech in 2022

The world of fintech — the short-hand term for financial technology companies — can offer exciting opportunities for investors. Fintech companies include those that create and manage applications for [...]

6 min read Oct 07, 2022
6 top tips for choosing the best CD for your money

CDs can be a useful tool to save, but make sure to shop around for the right kind and bank for you.

4 min read Oct 05, 2022
Most Americans are significantly stressed about money — here’s how it varies by demographic

Find out who is affected most by financial stress by statistic and how to cope.

9 min read Oct 05, 2022
Short-term vs. long-term goals: Best savings strategies to use for each

Learn some of the best strategies for saving for either your short- or long-term goals.

7 min read Oct 04, 2022
How to make an international money transfer

Sending money to another country can be a quick, easy and safe process. Read to find out the various ways you can utilize and how to transfer money internationally.

5 min read Sep 29, 2022
Digital banking in 2022: Trends and statistics

Digital banking has been steadily on the rise, making it easy to access your accounts and manage your personal finances from anywhere.

11 min read Sep 28, 2022
ACH vs. EFT vs. wire transfers: What’s the difference?

Some of the most common ways to send or receive money electronically include ACH, EFT, and wire transfers.

5 min read Sep 27, 2022
What are Native American-owned banks and how to support them?

Native American-owned banks and credit unions help underserved communities by providing access to bank accounts, loans and other financial services.

7 min read Sep 27, 2022
7 questions to ask before choosing a checking account

Opening a checking account is easy. Finding the right one is the hard part.

4 min read Sep 22, 2022
Financial planning for singles: 7 top tips for 2022

Single people face both challenges and advantages of handling finances solo.

9 min read Sep 07, 2022
5 tips to help college students find the right bank

It’s important to find a bank that fits your needs and makes your life easier.

5 min read Aug 10, 2022
Consumer prices are soaring. Here are the best ways to protect your savings

Here are ways to save money and improve financial health in times of inflation.

5 min read Aug 08, 2022
Here’s everything savers need to know about APY

The APY percentage shows how much an account earns per year. Here’s what you need to know.

3 min read Jul 15, 2022