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Banking

From savings account details to bank reviews, economic insights and more — Bankrate offers valuable information and advice for you.

Explore banking basics

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How to open a certificate of deposit (CD)

Banking
Everything you need to know about opening an account.
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How to start saving (even if you’re starting from scratch)

Banking
Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is hard. Here are some ideas to help you start.
Illustration of two hands holding phones, sending physical gold coins to one another.

How to transfer money from one bank to another: 4 ways

Banking
Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.

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Experts in all things banking

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

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Chief Financial Analyst

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

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Senior Economic Analyst

Banking data studies

Money next to flashing sirens
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have no emergency savings, according to a new Bankrate survey.
Over 1 in 4 workers are more worried about job security since 2025 began.
And elderly couple discussing HYSA options
Two-thirds of American savers say they’re earning rates below 4% APY. Here’s why.

Featured by names you know and trust

Latest articles

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Coins sitting around in an overloaded jar could be put to better use. Here’s how.
exterior of Bank of America branch building
Knowing bank holiday schedules can help you avoid delays on necessary transactions.
Credit sign on stone wall building
Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks to decide if a credit union is right for you.
Capital One Bank signage in New York City
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
A man looking at a comically large stack of cash
This type of account can offer a low-risk way to earn a high yield.
Close-up of woman trading stock online on mobile phone
A money market account is like a parking spot for cash, but with a few guardrails.
Woman watering plants.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
pile of US savings bonds
Losing a savings bond doesn’t mean it’s money lost. Here’s how to find it.
United States Treasury savings bonds.
You’ve matured, but those savings bonds from childhood may still need more time.
Women using digital tablet to check her finances at home office
For savers, here’s what to consider when the Fed lowers interest rates.
Computer artwork of a businessman looking at giant, white piggy bank.
Get ahead of your savings by raising your rate by an amount you prefer. Here’s how.
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of September 16, 2025.
Woman working with business document and laptop on the table
It’s a low interest rate environment, but there are ways to earn more on your money.
Senate building in Washington DC
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — a main line of defense against unfair banking practices — has been dramatically scaled back under the Trump administration. In May 2025, Congress overturned [...]
Woman watering plants.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
Woman Inserts Cash Into Wallet
If you think rates may rise again soon, a bump-up CD could be what you’re looking for.
Photo of Fed Chair Jerome Powell at a podium, holding his hands up.
The Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday at the conclusion of its September meeting, marking the central bank’s first rate cut this year. For savers, that’s [...]
Clocks are displayed across an image of a dollar bill.
Take a look at the days when CDs were offering investors double-digit returns.
Couple looking at laptop while sitting on sofa at home
As the Fed is cutting interest rates, consider these certificates of deposit (CDs)
A woman does research online.
These CD specials help you earn more money on interest without taking on risk.
A woman ponders
Find out what happens to CDs that are set to mature.
A man does research on his laptop.
Add-on CDs can offer more flexibility than a traditional CD.
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
Man working on laptop and drinking coffee
Money market funds are available from several different brokers and fund managers.
woman at ATM
Our top 5 picks scored highly for access, range of products and digital options.
Ally Bank logo
Ally’s money market account offers a high APY, no minimum deposit or monthly fee.
Image of a piggy bank stuffed with dollars and an arrow behind it pointing to the right and going up.
$10,000 high-yield savings vs. $10,000 money market account: Here’s which earns more
People walking past an HSBC Bank
These four types of bank accounts can help you meet your financial goals.
A young female researches on her phone.
Here’s the lowdown on no-penalty CDs, and how they differ from regular CDs.
Person looking at smartphone
The best account to save your money will vary by your goal.
Capital One Bank signage in New York City
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
An older couple reviews a bill.
Tired of paying fees? Here are seven ideas to get around paying them.
Young Woman Depositing Check With Smartphone
The amount of time for a check to clear can vary from check to check.
Family looking at their finances.
Early access to direct deposited funds can make managing your budget a bit easier.
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If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
Person using an ATM
Check out the 13 different types of checking accounts.
Man in coffee shop using laptop with a card in his hand.
The rule provides a framework for settling unauthorized debit-card transactions.