Best of the Web
Personal Finance
Average FICO Credit Score Remains Stagnant at 716
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
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...
Small Business News
Bank of America Debuts Small Biz Down Payment Grant Program
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...
Personal Finance
U.S. Bank, Opendorse Create Financial Fitness Program
Of all the topics that most students learn in college, unfortunately, financial matters are typically not among them. In the absence of a formal curriculum in schools, independent companies have taken to providing guidance to specific groups. On that note, a major financial institution and a technology provider in the athlete endorsement industry are creating a personal finance program geared towards those playing sports for their schools. This week, U.S....
Personal Finance
Survey Finds Average Unexpected Expense Exceeds $1,400
Each year, the Federal Reserve releases a report titled Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households. One of the data points the Fed looks at as part of this study is the percentage of Americans who could afford to cover a $400 unexpected expense. However, while the 68% of adults that reported being able to cover such an expense marked a record high, a new survey from Lending Club and PYMNTS shows...
Economic News
Nationwide Average Gas Price Falls for 10th Consecutive Week
After hitting record highs earlier this summer, Americans have been getting a bit of relief at the pump as the average price per gallon of gas has continued to recede. Last week, the national average gas price came in at $3.86 per gallon — down 5.1¢ from the week prior. This marked the 10th straight week of falling prices. According to data from AAA, that ranks as the second-longest streak...
FinTech News
