Mary Beth Eastman

Learn which small businesses need cyber liability insurance most — from consultants to real estate — and how to protect a business from online risks.

Axos Bank offers a wide range of mainstream and hard-to-find home loan products, and you can prequalify with a soft credit pull. Borrowers can apply for and manage their loans online or by phone.

Learn which states are implementing auto insurance reform and how this could affect your car insurance rates going into 2026.

Wells Fargo offers competitive rates on a good selection of mortgage products. It publishes rates online and offers custom quotes if you provide contact information. You can prequalify and apply online, over the phone or in-person at a branch office.

Fifth Third Bank offers traditional mortgages as well as affordable community home loans, physician loans and construction loans. You can see its rates online without submitting contact information.

Younger buyers are finding smart, creative paths to homeownership — here’s how.

If you frequently fly Frontier and don't mind paying an annual fee, it may be worth picking up the airline's card. But you don't need it to earn a companion pass.

Personal loans from Fifth Third Bank are best for the bank’s existing customers, who can take advantage of rate discounts for automatic payments. The bank also allows customers to use their Fifth Third banking and investment accounts as collateral on secured loans and personal lines of credit.

Learn about the differences between credit unions and national banks.

When you know how credit cards work, you can use them responsibly and stay out of debt.

Here's how to protect your finances with BNPL protections at risk.

Several varieties of cash back cards enable you to get cash back on your spending. But how do cash back cards work?

Upgrade offers personal loans up to $50,000 and accepts co-applicants, making it a good choice for people without great credit.

CNN Underscored Money The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was created by Congress in 1934 as part of the National Housing Act to stabilize the Great Depression-era housing market. Today, the FHA insures over 8 million mortgages to make…

With lower credit score and down payment requirements, a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan makes a mortgage more accessible for many homebuyers. Learn how these mortgages work, what types of options are available, and how you can qualify for…

Mary Beth is a freelance writer for Newsweek’s personal finance team. She specializes in explaining the ins and outs of mortgages and other loans, helping people to use debt wisely and build their credit. Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Mary Beth is a…

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The content on this page…

The Bankrate promise At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The…

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The content on this page…

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The content on this page…