Sarah Silbert
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Articles by Sarah Silbert
SoFi vs. Prosper Loans (2026): Which Is Better for Your Needs?
Quick summary: SoFi offers large personal loan amounts, longer loan terms and faster funding, while Prosper is a better choice for mid-range credit scores due to its AI-driven underwriting. Key Takeaways SoFi fits larger borrowing needs, offering personal loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms up to seven years, no required origination fee and funding as fast as the same day.
SoLo Funds App Review (2026): What You Need to Know
SoLo Funds is a borrower-friendly platform that lets you create a small-dollar loan request that can be funded by members of its network. There are no set fees, making it a cheaper option than many competitors. However, since lenders have to decide to fund your loan, you might not get cash as quickly as you need. Key Takeaways SoLo Funds connects you with peer lenders for small-dollar loans up to $625, though new borrowers cap out at $100.
6 Common Types of Financial Fraud To Watch For
Financial fraud sounds vague, but it’s likely something you’ve encountered in everyday life through scams, stolen information or unauthorized activity on one of your credit cards. These, and any other deceptive act intended to steal your money or financial information, fall under the umbrella of financial fraud. With scams getting more sophisticated by the day, it’s important to be aware of the most common types of financial fraud out there.
8 Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit: Ultimate Guide
If you’ve been shopping around for personal loans online, you might be bombarded with offers touting low interest rates for applicants with excellent credit scores. But where does that leave you if your credit falls in the “fair” bucket, in the 580 to 669 range? You still have plenty of options, from online lenders to big banks to credit unions. We’ll walk you through the top options below to help you find the best personal loan for fair credit for your specific situation.
Are Personal Loans Fixed or Variable Rate? Quick Guide
Most personal loans have either fixed or variable interest rates. A fixed-rate personal loan keeps the same interest rate for the life of the loan, while a variable-rate personal loan has an interest rate that can rise or fall over time. The better choice depends on your budget, loan term and comfort with interest-rate changes. Here's how the two options compare and how to decide which one fits your situation.
CD Early Withdrawal Penalties: Costs and When It's Worth It
A certificate of deposit (CD) is a safe, predictable option to park and grow your money over time. But what happens if you need that money before the term ends? CD early withdrawals usually cost you, both in lost interest and sometimes lost principal. If you don’t need the money urgently, it’s worth avoiding, but there are situations where paying that price is the smartest financial move. We’ll walk through how CD early withdrawal penalties work, how much they cost and when they could be worth it.
How To Get a First Time Loan With No Credit
Yes, you can get a first-time loan even if you have no credit — but you'll need to look at borrowing options that don’t depend on your credit history. If you borrow alone, lenders may charge higher interest rates. Or you may have to loop in a qualified co-signer — and hopefully net a lower interest rate. These are some of the fastest and safest options for getting a loan with no credit, as well as the ones you should skip.
Best Bank Accounts for College Students in 2026
Picking a student bank account isn’t necessarily about finding the flashiest offer or the longest list of perks. Instead, you want to find an account with the features that matter: minimal fees, easy mobile access, a large ATM network and tools for managing your budget. We’ll go over what makes the best student checking accounts stand out, what to look for in a first-time checking account and whether a dedicated student account is even necessary.
Splash Personal Loans Review: Rates, Fees and How It Works
Splash is a personal loan marketplace that connects borrowers with partner banks and credit unions, rather than lending money directly itself. It's known for offering a wide range of repayment terms and funding in as little as one business day. Key Takeaways Splash is a marketplace, not a direct lender, that connects you with partner banks and credit unions offering personal loans from $1,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms of two to seven years.
Personal Loan Taxes 101: How To Maximize Deductions
Personal loans generally don't affect your taxes, because the IRS doesn't treat borrowed money as income and doesn't let you deduct the interest in most cases. When you take out a personal loan, you're taking on a debt you have to repay, not earning money, so the loan itself isn't taxable. And unlike mortgage or student loan interest, personal loan interest is usually paid with after-tax dollars and can't be written off. There are two main situations where taxes do come into play.
Rise Personal Loans Review: What You Need To Know Before You Borrow
Rise is an online lender that offers personal loans to borrowers with no or poor credit, though APRs can be as high as 299%, making it one of the more costly borrowing options available. Rise is best for those who've had a difficult time getting approved, as there's no minimum credit score required. You'll simply need to verify your income and have a checking account.
8 Money Apps Like Dave: Quick Cash Advance Alternatives That Actually Work
The best apps like Dave include MoneyLion, Albert, Brigit, Chime SpotMe, Cleo, Earnin, Empower and Klover. These are all cash advance apps, which means they allow you to borrow money against your upcoming paycheck, usually without requiring a hard credit check. Here's how these apps compare to both Dave and each other — and how to find the best option for you.
How Does Interest Work on a Personal Loan?
Interest on a personal loan is generally fixed. What does this mean? You'll have equal monthly payments. You'll also need to factor in the amount of interest you owe on top of the funds you borrow, which you'll need to make until the loan is paid off. Your personal loan annual percentage rate (APR) includes both the interest rate you'll be charged to borrow money and any additional fees, so it represents the total cost of borrowing from a lender.
Should You Use a Personal Loan to Pay Taxes?
Yes, you can use a personal loan to pay your taxes. If you don’t qualify for IRS relief and you’re looking to avoid penalties or high credit card interest rates, it could be a worthwhile option. It's best to choose a loan if it: Costs less than IRS fees, plus any interest Otherwise, the IRS plan might offer more flexibility MoneyLion helps you find personal loan offers based on your background and info you provide. You can get matched with offers for up to $50,000 from top providers.
Personal Loan Requirements: What You Need To Qualify
Each lender will have different requirements to qualify for a personal loan. These requirements usually revolve around your credit score and income-to-debt-ratio.
How To Get a $30,000 Loan
August 4, 2025 7 min Read PeopleImages / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Is Personal Loan Interest Tax-Deductible? What You Need To Know
July 31, 2025 6 min Read Weekend Images Inc. / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Can I Use a Personal Loan For? Common Uses and Smart Tips
July 30, 2025 10 min Read g-stockstudio / Getty Images/iStockphoto Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Personal Loan Requirements: What You Need To Qualify in 2025
July 29, 2025 5 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Is an Unsecured Personal Loan?
SDI Productions / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Is a Signature Loan?
Liubomyr Vorona / iStock.com Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Is a Personal Loan?
July 25, 2025 10 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Secured Loan vs. Unsecured Loan: What’s the Difference?
Kateryna Onyshchuk / Getty Images/iStockphoto Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Is an Installment Loan? How It Works and Why It Matters
July 21, 2025 6 min Read sturti / Getty Images/iStockphoto Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Can You Refinance a Personal Loan?
Geber86 / iStock.com Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Payday Loan vs. Installment Loan: What’s the Difference?
Sam Edwards / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
How To Get a Credit Builder Loan
Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology. 20 Years Helping You Live Richer Trusted by Millions of Readers A credit builder loan is a simple way to build credit from scratch.
Balance Transfer vs. Personal Loan: What’s the Difference?
July 3, 2025 8 min Read damircudic / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Can You Get a Personal Loan With a Cosigner?
July 3, 2025 8 min Read Moyo Studio / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
How Does Interest Work on a Personal Loan?
July 1, 2025 6 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
What Happens if You Default on a Personal Loan?
gradyreese / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
How Much of a Personal Loan Can I Get?
June 25, 2025 5 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Are Personal Loans Taxable?
June 23, 2025 4 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Business Loan vs. Personal Loan: What’s the Difference?
PeopleImages / Getty Images Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
How to Tell if Someone Read Your Text on iPhone & More
The Download You can see when someone reads your messages by turning on read receipts in texting apps. Both the sender and recipient must enable read receipts for them to work on iPhone and Android. Here's how to tell if someone read your text on Android and iOS smartphones. This article also covers WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. Read Receipts on iPhone On an iPhone, read receipts are the only way to tell if someone read a text you sent from Messages, the default texting app for iOS.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Why Are Rates So High? Blame all the Uncertainty.
All the uncertainty in the economy hasn't been good for mortgage rates, which are currently up around 20 basis points from where they started the month. Rates have gone up in response to new tariffs, a U.S. credit downgrade, and a tax bill that's expected to add trillions to the deficit. Will mortgage rates come back down this year? It depends on what happens next.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Pull Back After Nearing 7%
Mortgage rates nearly surpassed 7% last week. But after President Donald Trump delayed his call for 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union, they ticked back down. Rates have been somewhat volatile recently as markets react to Trump's unpredictable approach to trade policy and uncertainty around where the economy is headed. If tariffs weigh on the economy enough to cause a recession, mortgage rates would likely go down.
Today's Mortgage Rates | It's Increasingly Difficult to Predict Where Rates Will Go This Year
Mortgage rates neared 7% last week after the House passed the GOP's "One Big, Beautiful" tax bill, which is expected to add trillions to the deficit over the next decade. Initially, mortgage rates were forecast to go down this year as the economy cooled and the Federal Reserve continued cutting rates. But Fed officials are keeping the federal funds rate steady for now, and it's unclear if they'll lower rates at all in 2025.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Deficit Concerns Are Driving Rates Higher
Mortgage rates spiked last week in response to concerns over the U.S. budget deficit and the GOP tax bill, and they remain elevated today. Rates have generally remained in the mid-to-high 6% range recently, and they moved to the higher end of that range after the House passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which is projected to add trillions to the deficit over the next decade.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Could Rates Surpass 7%?
Mortgage rates came within a few basis points of 7% last week, and they remain elevated today. Where they go next may depend on what happens with the deficit. The GOP tax bill, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," is projected to add trillions to the U.S. budget deficit over the next decade (meaning the government will continue to spend more money than it brings in each year). This has driven Treasury yields higher. Mortgage rates typically track the 10-year Treasury yield.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Are Back Up Near 7%
Mortgage rates are the highest they've been in over a month as investors react to all the uncertainty in the economy right now. Bond yields, which drive mortgage rates, started rising earlier this week in response to Moody's lowering the U.S.' credit rating. Fears that the GOP tax bill will add to the deficit and social media posts from President Donald Trump announcing more tariffs also helped keep yields high this week.
Learn How to Use Preapproved Credit Cards To Your Advantage in 2025
Understanding Credit Card Preapproval Credit card preapproval shows if you're likely to qualify before you submit a full application, offering a stronger chance for credit card approval with less risk to your credit score. Preapproval doesn't guarantee you'll be approved for the card you want, but it does offer a good indication of your chances for approval.
How homebuyers are using mortgage rate buydowns to pay less — for now
With mortgage rates up near 7%, homebuyers are increasingly turning to things like adjustable-rate mortgages, down payment assistance, and interest rate buydowns to cut costs. Interest rate buydowns can temporarily or permanently lower your mortgage payment, giving you more room in your budget each month. But they aren't always worth what you pay for them.
Today's Mortgage Rates | Market Uncertainty Leaves Rate Outlook Unclear
Mortgage rates have been rising recently as investors weigh a downgrade to the U.S. credit rating and the "One Big, Beautiful" tax bill that's expected to add trillions to the deficit over the next decade. Mortgage rates typically follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which moves up and down in response to what's going on in the economy. Concerns about the U.S. government's budget deficit have investors demanding higher yields, which has in turn led to higher mortgage rates.
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is Bad for Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have bounced up and down this week and remain elevated compared to where they were earlier this month. Bond yields, which drive mortgage rates, have been volatile as markets react to Moody's lowering the U.S.' credit rating and the "One Big, Beautiful" tax bill that's expected to add trillions to the deficit over the next decade. Details of the bill are still being debated, so we may see some more rate volatility in the coming days or weeks.
Mortgage Rates Are Up After Moody's Lowers U.S. Credit Rating
Mortgage rates have been extra sensitive to the economic outlook lately, which has meant that we've seen volatility as we navigate tariffs, a tax bill set to add to the deficit, and the downgrading of the U.S. credit rating. On Friday, Moody's lowered the country's credit rating from Aaa, the highest rating, to Aa1. Bond yields soared in response on Monday, pushing mortgage rates higher. Mortgage rates typically track the yield on the 10-year Treasury, a type of government bond.
Asian American-Led Bank: Royal Business Bank Review 2025
Business Insider's personal finance team compared Royal Business Bank to the best banks and found its bank account in need of improvement. It may be worth exploring if you'd like to bank with an Asian American-led financial institution that closely serves Asian American and local communities. It won't be ideal if you struggle to maintain high account balances or want to avoid monthly service fees.
Fed officials are hinting that they're unlikely to cut rates anytime soon. That's bad news for mortgage rates.
Federal Reserve officials have been hinting that it may be a while before they'll consider lowering the federal funds rate, which means mortgage rates may remain elevated for longer than expected. Mortgage rates are forecast to go down a bit this year, but as we get more data showing the impact of the trade war on the economy, that forecast could change.
Mortgage rates rose last week, and where they go next depends on how the economy responds to tariffs
In spite of a small dip toward the end of the week, mortgage rates ended last week around 10 basis points higher than they were the week before. Rates have been a bit volatile recently as investors try to gauge how tariffs will affect the economy. We don't have much hard data showing the impact of tariffs yet, but as that comes out in the coming weeks and months, borrowers should brace for mortgage rates to move up or down, potentially by a lot.
Mortgage rates have been volatile recently, and no one knows where they'll go next
We're still in the calm before the storm that tariffs are expected to set off, so mortgage rates have been somewhat volatile as markets try to gauge what's going to happen next. The consensus among economists and investors is that tariffs are likely to both slow economic growth and raise inflation. A downturn in the economy typically leads to lower mortgage rates, while a spike in prices can push rates up. This makes it hard to say exactly where mortgage rates will go this year.
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