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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.
Woman watering plants.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
stacks of coin with dollar bill
A CD ladder lets savers benefit from higher rates without locking up all your money in long-term CDs.
Clocks are displayed across an image of a dollar bill.
Take a look at the days when CDs were offering investors double-digit returns.
Person frowning at a laptop screen with illustration of money in background
Sometimes paying an early withdrawal penalty on a CD isn’t a bad idea.
Photo of Fed Chair Jerome Powell at a podium, holding his hands up.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026, keeping borrowing costs in a target range of 3.5-3.75%. This decision (supported by a 10-2 vote) pauses a streak of three [...]
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.
A woman ponders
Find out what happens to CDs that are set to mature.
Coworkers discussing project and having work meeting
Here are differences between CDs and share certificates, and which one to choose.
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.
Woman using an ATM
Not all checking accounts are created equal.
Young person on smart phone
Stop wasting time writing checks. Learn the faster, safer way to pay.
Woman shopping online
In the world of credit, lenders are always concerned about the creditworthiness of their customers and potential customers. But what does that mean exactly? Let’s take a closer look this week. What does [...]
A financial advisor works with a woman client from her desk
If you can’t afford an advisor, you still have places you can look first for free or cheap advice.
design element a yellow background with a man holding shopping bags and a phone in his hand, in the background there is a hand holding a credit card
Average retail credit card interest rates hit a record high of 28.93 percent.
Woman paying bills with a credit card
Cash rewards cards with balance transfers offers generate budget savings, but be sure to compare all the details.
Young businesswoman giving financial advice to couple
How financial advisors can help you achieve financial freedom.
colleagues traders discussing ideas while sitting in the office in front of multiple computer screens
Here are the key things to know about zero-day options and their risks.
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