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Lenders assess your credit score as a measure of the kind of borrower you are. But what exactly is a credit score, and what factors impact whether you have a good or a poor score?

Don't fret if you've put off holiday shopping. Learn how to avoid last-minute shopping mistakes, and keep yourself safe from holiday shopping scams.

While card payments offer convenience and efficiency, businesses must remain vigilant and proactive to ensure that every transaction is secure and legitimate. Learn how to avoid payment hurdles and boost trust, and how accepting credit cards can help your business grow.

Social media platforms have become a popular and convenient way to discover new brands and products. However, an increasing number of scammers are using these platforms to create fake companies and push nonexistent merchandise to consumers.

Whether you’re a parent or not, your last few weeks have likely been surrounded by back-to-school advertisements or thoughts. Read on for some of the expenses you need to consider this fall when sending your children back to elementary and secondary schools, and ways you can prepare to maintain consistent and secure finances and even be rewarded for your purchases.

Economic downturns, looming recessions, and rising inflation can shake your financial stability. In these times, credit cards can seem like an immediate solution, but leaning too heavily on them might set you up for future pitfalls. When it’s time to batten down your financial hatches, making wise choices regarding credit card use is more important than ever. Here are 6 credit card mistakes to avoid when times are tough.

More than 150 million Americans were victims of credit card fraud last year, according to this Security.org's 2023 Credit Card Fraud Report. It’s a serious issue that can impact financial well-being and personal security. Credit card fraud often leads to unauthorized transactions, which may result in financial losses for the victim. Fraudulent activity on credit cards can also negatively affect victims’ credit scores if the unauthorized charges are not resolved promptly. This can make it harder to secure loans or credit in the future and lead to higher interest rates.

Life is unpredictable. An emergency, unexpected illness, or a bout of forgetfulness can all end in a missed loan payment. While missing a single payment may come with unwanted consequences like fees or penalties, it will not result in financial ruin. Stay calm and keep reading to learn what happens if you miss a loan payment.

If you’re new to borrowing, your first step is to establish credit. Secured credit cards can be an alternative to unsecured credit cards with the same conveniences. Secured credit cards are designed to help borrowers take positive steps towards financial freedom. The best candidates for secured credit cards are high-risk borrowers, those with damaged or insufficient credit history, those who are just starting out with credit, and those looking to avoid overspending.

On the surface, debit cards and credit cards look alike, with a chip and a magnetic stripe, your financial institution's logo, and the card network (like Visa or Mastercard). They both give you a convenient way to make purchases online and in stores. So, what are the differences?

Traveling can bring excitement, new experiences, and can even help you recharge and reduce stress. But to travel, you’ll need to pay for your trip and expenses that come with it. Travel credit cards are a great option for those looking to earn and redeem points, cash back, and receive valuable perks to help ease travel costs. With many options available to travelers, it’s hard to know which card is your best option. We’ve created a guide to help you determine which type of card best suits your spending habits, travel needs, and expectations.

Between the rising cost of gas and groceries, holiday expenses, and unexpected bills, chances are your credit card balance may be a little higher than you’d like. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to help you lower your monthly payments and pay off your credit card debt faster: transferring your current balance to a low- or no- interest credit card. Here’s how a credit card balance transfer can help you get a fresh start and give your budget some breathing room in the new year.

Credit cards come in many different forms from many different lenders. To incentivize borrowers to choose their card, lenders include special perks like low rates or cash back. If you're looking for a new addition to your wallet, consider diversifying with a card that specializes in cash back. Continue reading to see if the Cash Reward Mastercard® is a good fit for your spending needs.

Credit cards are the most versatile product in your wallet and can be the ticket to a strong credit score and healthy financial habits. By mastering the most popular financial tool, you can demonstrate to lenders that you are a responsible borrower, ushering in new opportunities. Shopping for a new card? Continue reading to see if the Platinum Preferred Mastercard® is a good fit for your banking habits.

International Credit Union Day ®, also known as ICU Day®, is celebrated on the third Thursday of October. This year marks the 74th anniversary of the day, with the theme “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union™.” This special day is brought to you by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA). The third Thursday of October is also known as National Get Smart About Credit Day. Knowing how credit works and how your score is calculated is a great way to live this year’s theme and empower your financial future.

There are only twenty-four hours in a day, and how you spend each one can impact your entire life. If you frequently find yourself trying to magically turn back the clock, you may be in “time debt.”

Now that we’ve created the Financial Wellness Dictionary for young adults to educate themselves on the most relevant terms to begin their financial wellness journey, the next step is to establish yourself at a financial institution. In today’s blog, we look at a handful of starter accounts, products, and services young adults should have or start familiarizing themselves with to continue towards financial independence.

Credit card interest is often talked about, but not always understood. Despite the number of people who keep a credit card (or several) in their wallet, not everyone can explain the math that goes on behind the scenes. Understanding how your monetary tools work is an important part of financial literacy, which is why in this article, we’ll break down credit card interest into basic dollars and cents.

In this series, we take a look at the inner workings of the Credit Union and meet some of the champions who help our members in every facet of their financial lives. This month, we met up with expert Bryan Eichenbaum, an expert on all things lending at American Heritage.

Credit cards are one of the most versatile tools you can carry in your wallet. From getting extra rewards when swiping at gas stations or grocery stores to building your credit score, these pieces of plastic can impact your financial health. With so many options available, how do you choose?