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 Check Your Federal and State Tax Refund Status 4 Ways to Avoid Fees When Paying Taxes With Credit Cards Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen 4 Ways to Avoid Fees When Paying Taxes With Credit Cards Paying taxes with a credit card can be very expensive, which is why it's... 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? When your credit is down, you might have to consider getting either prepaid or secured cards. Picking one just requires knowing the details of both. 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 Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Mortgage Refinance Basics: How it Works 1. What is a Refinance? A mortgage refinance is when you replace your old... 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... Worried About a Recession? How to Prepare and Protect Your Finances Learn how you can prepare your finances - especially your savings and investments - for a recession, when your job and income may be in danger. Best 5-Year CD Rates for Long Term Savings Find out which banks offer certificates of deposit with the best 5-year CD rates that will help you grow your savings the fastest with the lowest risk. How Online Checking Can Replace Your Traditional Checking Account Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How Online Checking Can Replace Your Traditional Checking Account It’s very common for someone to have a checking account that was opened at a...