Articles by Simon Zhen

Simon Zhen is the chief research analyst for MyBankTracker and an expert on consumer banking products, bank innovations, and financial technology. Simon has contributed and/or been quoted in major publications and outlets including Consumer Reports, American Banker, Yahoo Finance, U.S. News - World Report, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Lifehacker, and AOL.com. Education: Education: B.S. in Health Sciences from Stony Brook University.

How to Make Your Retirement Savings Work for You Learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, create a budget for your golden years, and save enough to afford your lifestyle. How Do IRA CDs Work? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How Do IRA CDs Work? IRA CDs carry a sense of confusion as to how they differ from traditional CDs,... CDs vs. Bonds: Which is the Better Investment for Your Money? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen CDs vs. Bonds: Which is the Better Investment for Your Money? CDs and government savings bonds are said to be some of the basic building blocks... What is a CD?: A Quick 101 Guide Banks and credit unions, both offer depositors or members the option of purchasing CDs which are like savings accounts that you promise not to withdraw money from for a specific period of time. Opening a CD Account - Hard Pull Vs Soft Pull Explained When trying to open a CD account you might hear about hard and soft pull credit checks. Hard pull vs soft pull - which is going to affect you the most. CDs Vs. Installment Savings Accounts: Which Is The Better Saving Strategy? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen CDs Vs. Installment Savings Accounts: Which Is The Better Saving Strategy? A disciplined way to save up these days could be by building up your money in an... Separate Vs. Joint Bank Accounts for Married Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Separate Vs. Joint Bank Accounts for Married Before marriage, a couple should sit down for a serious talk about how they’ll... When Should You Check Your Credit Score? Learn the limits on how many times you can check a credit score for free, so the question becomes how often you can check credit score. Tips on How to Improve Your Credit Score Looking to take on a new loan? Curious about what factors impact your credit report? Here's how to understand your score - and ways to improve it. The Value of a Good Credit Report Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen The Value of a Good Credit Report Almost everyone has to borrow money at one time or another. Whether you are...