Banking & Credit Cards
How banks, credit cards, and payment systems work. Covers products, rates, fees, regulations, and what consumers need to know to navigate the banking system.
Latest in Banking & Credit Cards
Student loan wage-garnishment pause gives borrowers a reprieve — but only if they act now
A borrower earning $40,000 a year stands to lose roughly $350 a month once the federal government resumes garnishing wages on defaulted student loans. For...
INTERPOL says financial fraud is now central to global crime networks
A global law enforcement sweep coordinated by INTERPOL led to more than 3,700 arrests across multiple countries, targeting criminal syndicates that use online fraud as...
Chase Sapphire Reserve raises annual fee to $795, adds new perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve now costs $795 a year. That is a $245 jump from the card’s previous $550 annual fee, and it marks the...
AI-driven credit card fraud cases surge 46% year over year
The call came on a Tuesday afternoon in late 2025, and it sounded exactly like a bank’s fraud department: the same hold music, the same...
Credit card rewards lose value faster than many users realize
More than 90 percent of general-purpose credit card spending has flowed through rewards cards since 2019, according to the CFPB’s report on the consumer credit...
Protecting bank accounts from the newest wave of AI-driven scams
The call sounds exactly like your bank. The voice is calm, professional, and knows your name. It warns about suspicious activity on your account and...
FBI says Americans lost $11.4B to crypto scams in 2025
Crypto scams are becoming more prevalent, and investors should be aware of this trend so that they can protect their finances. Victims frequently receive a...
FDIC proposes GENIUS Act rules for payment stablecoin issuers
If you hold USDC, use stablecoins to send money, or keep digital dollars in a fintech app, the rules governing those products are about to...
High-yield savings accounts are paying over 4% APY in 2026: is it time to switch?
Savers who left their cash sitting in traditional bank accounts for years are suddenly seeing something unusual. High-yield savings accounts are offering annual percentage yields...
Anthropic’s Claude Mythos flags critical cryptography security flaws
Every time you log into a banking app, send an encrypted message, or complete a credit card transaction online, you are trusting cryptographic libraries to...
The ideal number of credit cards for your credit score according to FICO data
Credit cards can be powerful financial tools when used responsibly. They help build credit history, provide fraud protections, and often offer rewards that can make...
Online banks are paying 3 to 5 times more interest than traditional banks: 5 reasons to switch
Many Americans still keep their savings at traditional banks that pay very little interest. Meanwhile, a growing number of online banks are offering savings rates...
If your bank fails tomorrow, here is what happens to your money under FDIC rules
When a bank fails, headlines can spark panic. Under federal law, however, there is a structured process that begins almost immediately. For most depositors, access...
Why financial planners warn married couples against joint bank accounts
For decades, joint bank accounts have been viewed by married couples as a symbol of unity. Combining income into one shared account can simplify bill...
Banking Expert Explains: 4 Reasons You Should Not Open a CD
Certificates of Deposit, commonly known as CDs, are often promoted as one of the safest places to keep cash. Banks advertise predictable returns and federal...
The average American household now carries over $10,000 in credit card debt at 21% interest
Credit card debt has quietly crossed another troubling milestone for American households. Recent data shows that the average household now carries more than $10,000 in...
The CFPB tried to cap credit card late fees at $8: the rule was struck down and here is what you still pay
A federal judge in Texas vacated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) rule that would have capped most credit card late fees at $8, ending...
Retirement scams the FBI flagged in 2025 are still targeting seniors in 2026
Protecting retirement savings has become increasingly complicated as fraud schemes grow more sophisticated. Federal investigators say older Americans remain one of the most targeted groups...
How to get approved for your first credit card in 2026 with zero credit history
Getting approved for a first credit card without any credit history can feel like a frustrating catch-22. Many lenders want to see a credit record...
Credit cards earning up to 6% cash back on groceries in 2026
Groceries remain one of the largest recurring expenses for many households, which makes the right credit card surprisingly valuable. A strong grocery rewards card can...