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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 IRA CD Rates for May 2026

    Find the best IRA CD rates from credit unions and banks by comparing APY, term, minimum deposit required and early withdrawal penalty charges.

    9 min read May 27, 2026
  • Best Free Checking Accounts For May 2026

    The best checking accounts are not only free, but may also offer you perks such as a high annual percentage yield (APY), out-of-network ATM reimbursement or free official bank checks. Here are the pros and cons of free checking accounts.

    7 min read May 27, 2026
  • Best 1-month CD Rates For May 2026

    Explore and compare the best 1-month CD rates available for your short-term investment needs. Find competitive rates identified by Bankrate’s experts and secure your financial growth with ease.

    4 min read May 27, 2026
  • Best No-Penalty CD Rates for May 2026

    Find the best no-penalty CD rates for your savings goals. Bankrate simplifies the process by evaluating thousands of financial institutions to provide the most competitive certificate of deposit rates.

    6 min read May 19, 2026