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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.
Woman sitting outside of restaurant looking at cell phone

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.

Editor's picks

Banking data studies

A majority (81%) of Americans did not increase their emergency savings this year
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.

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Latest articles

Illustrated by Bankrate
Big banks pay just 0.01% APY while online banks offer 4% or more. Your $10,000 could earn over $800 more over two years.
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.
Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.
Here are simple steps to take to avoid paying checking account fees.
Someone cutting a stack of cash with scissors
In this era of no-fee banking, pesky fees still exist. Here’s how to avoid them.
Young woman walking on the street
Here’s what other banks have to offer that you might be missing out on at yours.
close up of hands writing a check
Consumers without a bank account face hurdles when trying to cash a check.
Illustrated by Bankrate
Big banks pay just 0.01% APY while online banks offer 4% or more. Your $10,000 could earn over $800 more over two years.
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.
Person looking at smartphone
The best account to save your money will vary by your goal.
A woman and daughter work together
A savings account can be a great tool to teach your child about money. Here are a few of our favorites.
Mature woman helps her daughter study for exam
High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
woman, using laptop while working from home
The top high-yield savings accounts are currently earning APYs of 5 percent and greater.
A woman holds a phone at an office
Savers can stash their cash in a brokerage these days to rack up returns.
Man watering plants
Interest is the price you pay to borrow money or the cost you charge to lend money.
Young businesswoman using laptop while sitting on steps
These seven banks and credit unions offer competitive rates on CDs for businesses.
Tortoise turns 100 years old.
The 100-year CD targets investors with philanthropic or generational-wealth goals.
Non realistic image of a hand reaching out with scissors to cut the line of an upward trending line graph
Some Fed officials are starting to rethink just how much they can cut rates.
The FINRA logo on a mobile phone
Here are the key details of FINRA, some of its benefits and how it differs from the SEC.
Attendees walk past a cardboard cutout of Warren Buffett
Here’s what to consider before buying stock in Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
Illustration of calculator and stacks of cash
If you have $25,000 to invest in a CD right now, here’s how much you could earn.
Stockbroker analyzing financial stock market with reflection on eyeglasses
There are alternatives to timing the market like dollar-cost averaging.
Two coworkers in discussion at a table
Here are some top long-term ETFs to add to your investment portfolio.
Person looking at smartphone
The best account to save your money will vary by your goal.
Bank teller with customer
These credit unions offer great rates and top-notch features — and many make it easy to join.
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
Woman online banking with a tablet
How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
Asian women using laptop computer at home working space.
CD terms can range from three months to five years. Learn which one is right for you.
Young woman calculating her finances while sitting with her laptop.
Investing with mutual funds is an easy way to build a diversified portfolio. Here’s what you need to know.
Woman using mobile phone at the bar
These accounts sound similar, but there are some key differences to know.
Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.
Here are simple steps to take to avoid paying checking account fees.
close up of hands writing a check
Consumers without a bank account face hurdles when trying to cash a check.
This old-school way of paying is still in demand. Here’s everything you need to know.
A young man uses an ATM.
Over time, ATM fees have climbed. Here’s what you need to know.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
Young woman using the ATM
Knowing your ATM withdrawal limits can make a sudden need for cash easier to handle.
Illustration of an old-fashioned alarm bell ringing , hovering over a cell phone.
Mobile apps make managing your money a snap and mobile alerts can help protect it.
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