Personal Finance

Experian Boost Beta Adds Rent Payment Reporting Feature

by Jonathan Dyer
As many Americans are now aware, the United States credit system has some notable flaws. Among them is the fact that, in order to build credit, you typically need someone to extend you credit, creating a bit of a "Catch 22." Additionally, even though consumers might regularly pay bills for utilities, cell phones, and rent on time, such payments traditionally had no impact on their credit. That's where Experian's Boost...
Product Reviews

Money at 30: "Cashing Out" Audiobook Review

by Kyle Burbank
It's time yet again for another personal finance audiobook review. This month, I had the chance to check out Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Julien and Kiersten Saunders of the Rich & Regular podcast. Having seen this duo at past FinCon events and all over personal finance Twitter, I was excited to pick this one up on Audible and give it a listen during my...
FinTech News

Alloy Announces Additional $52 Million for Series C

by Jonathan Dyer
A FinTech that helps other FinTechs as well as banks to better automate their decision-making process has raised more money on top of its recent "megaround." Last week, Alloy announced that it had raised another $52 million, with the latest round valuing the company at $1.55 billion. These funds add to the company's previously-announced $100 million Series C nearly one year ago. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners...
Personal Finance

Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — August 2022 

by Jonathan Dyer
It’s time again for one of my favorite features here on Dyer News: a look at the top 10 personal finance articles of the month. To kick things off, we'll look at a trio of posts about various aspects of retirement — from planning for it to living it. After that, we'll discuss spending on essentials. Lastly, we'll close the month out with lessons from millionaires, the truth about the...
Personal Finance

Average FICO Credit Score Remains Stagnant at 716

by Jonathan Dyer
There's good news and bad news when it comes to today's credit scores. According to FICO, the average credit score is currently 716 — matching what it's been since April 2021. Notably, this is the first time in 10 years that the average FICO credit score didn't increase year-over-year. The previous example was from 2012 when the average was 689 for two consecutive Octobers (plus a brief increase to 690 in...
FinTech News

FTC Orders Credit Karma to Halt "Pre-Approved" Offers

by Jonathan Dyer
For years, the free credit score site Credit Karma has grown in popularity, becoming a default option for many consumers curious about their credit. While the site has remained free to use, one of the ways the company has monetized is by offering credit card referrals to customers, with many of these suggestions being accompanied by a rating of how likely a customer was to be approved based on certain...
Financial

Fold Spin, Spin+ Bitcoin Rewards Debit Card Review

by Kyle Burbank 2
Not long after I initially reviewed the Bitcoin rewards app Fold, I got an email informing me that I'd made it off the waitlist and would have the opportunity to try out their new debit card. Since then, I saw the product evolve as an early adopter before the card even went truly public. However, speaking of evolution, the Fold debit card recent underwent another round of changes that have...
Small Business News

Bank of America Debuts Small Biz Down Payment Grant Program

by Jonathan Dyer
When it comes to opening a small business, there are plenty of expenses and capital expenditures to consider. Among them is real estate — which can be one of the most expensive necessities. To help entrepreneurs overcome this obstacle, a well-known bank is introducing a new option. This week, Bank of America announced that it would be debuting its Small Business Down Payment Grant Program in a bid to increase...