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.

You Earned Those Rewards, Remember to Redeem Them The Best Time to Ask for a Credit Limit Increase Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen The Best Time to Ask for a Credit Limit Increase Prior to the financial crisis, credit card issuers allowed customers to request a... Best 1-Year Certificate of Deposit (CD) Rates: 2024 Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Best 1-Year Certificate of Deposit (CD) Rates: 2024 Online savings accounts offer some very high interest rates on your savings but,... How to Check Your Federal and State Tax Refund Status 4 Ways to Avoid Fees When Paying Taxes With Credit Cards You can use credit cards to pay for your income taxes, but be prepared for convenience fees for that privilege. See how to save the most money if you doing it. Which Credit Report Does U.S. Bank Pull? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Which Credit Report Does U.S. Bank Pull? U.S. Bank is most likely to use your TransUnion credit report when considering... Prepaid Vs. Secured Credit Cards: Which Works Best for You? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Prepaid Vs. Secured Credit Cards: Which Works Best for You? Having bad credit is not a death sentence, financially speaking. And if you... How to Opt Out of Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers Learn how you can minimize junk mail by opting out of those pesky pre-approved credit card offers that fill up your mailbox. Mortgage Refinance Basics: How it Works Learn how to refinance your mortgage loans rates and lower your monthly payments. Find out what documents and financial data lenders are looking for. HELOC Borrowing Basics: What to Expect Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen HELOC Borrowing Basics: What to Expect 1. What is a HELOC? A HELOC, or home equity line of credit, is a type of loan for...