Did you know that Americans spent 25.8 billion dollars on Valentine’s Day according to the National Retail Federation(NRF)?Valentine’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to expressing love and appreciation for those we care about most. However, the pressure to make this day extraordinary can sometimes lead to overspending and credit…

Finding out that your bank is being bought by another bank, especially one you’ve never heard of, can cause apprehension and raise a lot of questions. Banks typically strive for a seamless merger process for customers. But integrating the assets, data, technology and customer service of two banks can cause…

Key takeaways Traditional lenders often have strict eligibility criteria and longer approval timelines Fast business lenders offer flexible requirements and fast funding Fast business loans are ideal for urgent situations but tend to be more expensive than traditional small business loans The need for access to working capital can arise…

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Key takeaways HELOCs offer more flexible repayment periods and competitive interest rates than many other types of business financing. The main disadvantage of HELOCs is that if you default on payments, your lender could take your home. If a HELOC isn’t right for you, other…

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The capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is a financial model used to determine a security’s expected return considering its associated risk. Developed in the 1960s, CAPM has become a tool used by some investors in analyzing and managing investments, because it provides a quantitative way to measure the expected return…

jtstewartphoto/Getty Images Getting a speeding ticket in Maryland has more consequences than just paying the fine, including potential points on your license and higher insurance rates. The average rate for a full coverage policy in Maryland rises from $2,793 before a ticket to $3,322 afterward—an increase of almost 19 percent.…

Key takeaways Creditors cannot have you arrested for credit card debt, but they can sue you for payment. If sued and you do not respond, a default judgment may award creditors everything they’ve asked for and result in garnishment of your wages or other actions to recover their losses. Options…

Xinhua News Agency/Contributor/Getty Images Stock market volatility can pop up at any time, potentially causing portfolio losses when you least expect it. Stubbornly high inflation and the impact of newly imposed tariffs could lead to an economic slowdown at some point. Defensive ETFs can help limit risk in your portfolio…

Credit: Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways A million-dollar life insurance policy isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. It could be a smart choice for anyone with major financial responsibilities. Insurers don’t approve seven-figure policies for just anyone. Your income, existing coverage, health and lifestyle all factor into eligibility.…

Key takeaways The Business Platinum Card® from American Express comes with one of the highest annual fees on the market, but for many users, the card’s benefits easily outweigh the cost. Before deciding whether the Business Platinum is right for you, evaluate how its perks align with your business’s spending…

Few things in modern life are built to last. But one area where longevity really matters is in your investment portfolio.  A “forever portfolio” is designed to generate wealth consistently, so you can live comfortably without running out of money later in life. It takes the stress and guesswork out of…

MTStock Studio/Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Strike price and exercise price are both terms for the price at which you can buy or sell an underlying security in options trading. Both refer to the security price you locked in when you purchased the option, and investors use both terms…

Air France and KLM’s joint Flying Blue program is part of the SkyTeam alliance and offers some of the cheapest international flights using miles. The program partners with five transferable rewards programs, making it easy to save up miles for an award flight. Not only are Flying Blue miles easy…