You’ve picked out what you think is the perfect secured credit card. It has the deposit limit you’re looking for, the right annual fee, and it even offers rewards. Imagine your surprise when the company denies your application. Can that even happen with a secure credit card?  Unfortunately, the answer is yes. But a rejected … Read more

If you’re in the market for a cash-back credit card that rewards you for the types of purchases you probably make every day (or at least every week), look no further than the USAA Rewards American Express Credit Card. It’s one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards around thanks to a generous rewards program and … Read more

Many freelancers and independent professionals get by without a separate business bank account. They commingle their personal and business funds on the reasoning that it all ends up in the same place eventually. To the extent that this happens because self-employed folks without serious business chops feel overwhelmed by the idea of separating business and … Read more

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card is a fantastic travel rewards credit card for people who aren’t wedded to a particular airline or hospitality family. Notable perks include a big new account bonus with qualifying spend, competitive rewards on eligible purchases, and potentially valuable add-ons like complimentary airport lounge access. Is the U.S. … Read more

Many freelancers, self-employed folks, and independent professionals don’t think of themselves as business owners. But they are, even if they don’t have an officially incorporated business entity. Found is a financial technology platform built for self-employed people who want to (and should) treat their operations more like real business enterprises. It’s one of the better … Read more

Most of the best bank accounts for freelancers and independent professionals aren’t just bank accounts. They boast expense-tracking and money management tools, integrate seamlessly with third-party payment and accounting apps, and have internal nonbanking tools like custom invoicing software and business formation assistance. Novo Business Checking ticks all of those boxes, making it one of … Read more

After the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, you may wonder if your money is safe in a U.S. bank or credit union account. And while they’re reasonably rare (fewer than three per year), bank failures do happen.  Fortunately, the United States has systems in place to ensure failed banks don’t lead … Read more

Private banks provide personalized financial services for affluent individuals. These bankers work in teams of lending, financial planning, and wealth management professionals and sometimes outside specialists. Clients typically enjoy benefits you can’t get at retail banks, such as discounted loan rates and access to alternative investments. Private banking also has some downsides, including limited choice … Read more

As online banks grow in number and become more sophisticated, more and more small-business owners are asking themselves whether a traditional bank or credit union account makes sense anymore. Unless you just can’t live without the peace of mind that comes with being able to walk into a physical bank branch, the value is less … Read more

Most checking accounts pay no interest on balances. They cede that perk to savings accounts, which are designed to hold funds you don’t need to pay this month’s bills. Interest checking accounts are different. Though they rarely yield as much as high-yield savings accounts, they make it worth your while to keep a checking cushion.  … Read more