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Banking Articles

From get out of debt strategies to advice on improving your savings returns, we've got recommendations to help you make smarter banking decisions.

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Recent Articles

Man appears to be in thought while looking at laptop screen.
Feb. 24, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

3 Ways to Know if You Should Open Another Bank Account

The best savings accounts today charge no fees and pay up to 4.00% APY. Here's how to know if your current bank is making the cut.
Woman in glasses sitting on a couch smiling while using a tablet.
Feb. 24, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

I've Covered the Best (and Worst) Savings Accounts for Years. Here Are My Top 3 Takeaways

Your bank might be paying you 0.01% APY, while top accounts pay 4.00%. Here's what I've learned covering savings accounts for years.
Crosslegged woman eats takeout with chopsticks.
Feb. 23, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

The Most Common Way Americans Waste Money Isn't What You Think

Most Americans admit to wasting money. But it's not what most people blame. Here's where it actually goes.
Person makes calculations and writes them in a notebooks while a piggy bank sits nearby.
Feb. 23, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Beat CDs Right Now

High-yield savings accounts offer rates as competitive as top CDs right now -- with no lock-up period. Here's why flexibility wins in today's rate environment.
Metal bank vault door, open and showing inside.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's the Safest, Easiest Way to Earn More on Your Savings Right Now

Earning almost nothing on your savings? A high-yield savings account could help you earn significantly more with zero investing risk. Here's how to make the switch.
An envelope with various bills sticking out
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Need to Deposit $10,000+ in Cash? The Government Will Know About It

Depositing $10,000 or more in cash triggers an automatic government report. Here's what a Currency Transaction Report is, why it exists, and what it means for you.
Woman sitting on sofa holding cash and using a calculator.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

How Much Cash Is Too Much to Keep in Checking?

Keeping too much cash in checking could be costing you. Here's how much to actually keep -- and where the rest should go.
A man's arm holding colorful shopping bags.
Feb. 22, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

83% of Americans Admit to Wasteful Spending. Here's the Fix That Works in 2026

Approximately 83% of Americans admit to wasteful spending. A simple savings account trick -- one my mom taught me -- is the fix that actually works.
Person holding big pile of bills in one hand comparing to very small stack in the other.
Feb. 21, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

This Is One Small Banking Change That Can Pay Off Forever

One simple banking move can quietly earn you hundreds more per year without changing how you spend.
A young adult calculates their personal finances at the kitchen table using a tablet.
Feb. 20, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's How Much $5,000 Would Earn in a 6-Month CD Now

A $5,000 CD at 3.50% APY would earn about $87 in six months. Find out if locking in your cash today makes sense for your savings goals.
Money raining on smiling man
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

This Is the Easiest Financial Win This Month

Opening a high-yield savings account takes 10 minutes and could earn you hundreds more per year. Here's why it's the easiest financial win right now.
Person uses laptop with AI and associated symbols showing in the air above the keyboard.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By James McClenathen

If Your Finances Are Getting Complicated, These Cutting-Edge Tools Can Help

The right tech can save time and money when your finances get complex. Here's what helps high earners most.
Chain and padlock wrapped around stack of 100 dollar bills.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Why I'm Moving Money Out of High-Yield Savings in February 2026

High-yield savings rates are starting to slip. Here's why I'm locking in CDs instead of waiting for them to fall further.
Casket being carried by men in suits.
Feb. 19, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Here's What Happens to Your Joint Savings Account When You Pass Away

Joint savings accounts usually transfer automatically to the surviving owner -- no probate required. Here's what actually happens and what to double-check now.
Bank teller assisting a customer with cash transaction.
Feb. 18, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Here's Exactly What Banks Don't Want You to Do With Your Money

The biggest threat to a bank's profits isn't fraud. It's you moving your money somewhere smarter.
Envelope full of hundred dollar bills.
Feb. 17, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Here's What Happens When You Deposit More Than $5,000 in Cash

Planning a big cash deposit? Here's what to know before you go -- and the transaction amount that triggers a government report.
An old-fashioned savings passbook.
Feb. 16, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

Set It and Forget It? Here's Why Banks Love Inactive Customers

Think your bank doesn't care if you ignore your account? It might actually prefer it that way.
Sad woman with money flying out of wallet
Feb. 15, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

The Little-Known Reason Your 'Free' Savings Account Is Costing You More Than You Think

Your savings account might not charge a fee. But the interest rate could be quietly costing you hundreds every year.
Retirees getting assistance from bank tellers at bank.
Feb. 14, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Here's What Happens When You Withdraw $10,000 From Your Bank Account

Considering taking $10,000 out of your bank account? Here's what happens when you do it -- and why the government will find out.
A person manages their home finances using documents and a laptop at their kitchen table.
Feb. 14, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Forget CDs, Even With Rates at 4%. Here's Where I'd Put My Money Now

CD rates are a decent place to earn interest on savings, but there are a few smarter ways to grow (and protect) your money. Here are three options to consider.
Person writes out a check while lying on the ground.
Feb. 14, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

This Might Be Controversial but Checking Accounts Are a Bad Place to Park Cash

Checking accounts feel safe, but leaving too much cash there quietly costs you hundreds every year. Here's why.
Several hundred-dollar bills in an envelope.
Feb. 13, 2026 | By Ryan Wilcox

Don't Keep Cash at Home. Here Are 3 Dead Simple Places to Put It Instead

Looking for a better place to keep your cash than under the mattress? Here are three great ways to save while earning a solid return.
Man reading newspaper and looking at a tablet
Feb. 12, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

How Much Income Puts You in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Class?

Curious where your income falls? Here's how upper, middle, and lower class incomes break down using Census data analyzed by Motley Fool Money.
Piggy bank, stacks of coins, and an alarm clock on a table.
Feb. 11, 2026 | By Joel O'Leary

Forget CDs in 2026. Here's Why I'm Keeping My Cash in High-Yield Savings

CDs aren't paying enough of a premium to entice me locking in funds and giving up access to my cash. Here's why I'm sticking with flexibility this year.
Woman looking at laptop with skeptical expression.
Feb. 11, 2026 | By Jake FitzGerald

This Might Be Controversial but Most Savings Accounts Aren't Actually Saving You Money

Most savings accounts feel responsible, but low interest quietly costs people money every year.