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.

The Value of a Good Credit Report You Earned Those Rewards, Remember to Redeem Them Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen You Earned Those Rewards, Remember to Redeem Them Last week’s news of PerkStreet Financial’s abrupt announcement of its closing is a... 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 Find out which banks offer the best 1-year CD rates available nationwide and compare their APYs, minimum opening deposits, and early withdrawal penalties. 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... 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...