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.

Tips How to Avoid the American Express Serve Monthly Fee Looking for ways to avoid paying the American Express Serve monthly fees? MyBankTracker Columnist, Simon Zhen, has a few hacks for you to sidestep them. When to Make the Switch From a Secured Credit Card to a Unsecured Card? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen When to Make the Switch From a Secured Credit Card to a Unsecured Card? You were told that to build or repair your credit score, a secured credit card was... How to Get a Near-Perfect FICO 9 Bankcard Score: One Woman's Story Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How to Get a Near-Perfect FICO 9 Bankcard Score: One Woman's Story There are advantages to maintaining a pristine credit profile. Primarily, having... Should You Open a Checking Account With a Brokerage vs. a Bank? Free brokerage checking accounts exist, but they may differ from brokerage to brokerage. Compare them to see which brokerage checking account is better. How to Save on the Costs of a Road Trip Planning to take a road trip soon to visit prospective colleges, for spring break, or summer vacation? Here are some tips to help you save on costs. When an Online Business Checking Account Makes the Most Sense Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen When an Online Business Checking Account Makes the Most Sense Businesses aiming to optimize their finances can look to their business checking... Citi Simplicity vs. Capital One Platinum Credit Card Credit Card 2024 Review Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Citi Simplicity vs. Capital One Platinum Credit Card Credit Card 2024 Review During your search for a simple, no-frills credit card, you might come across the... American Express Serve vs Bluebird by American Express Card 2024 Review American Express Serve vs BlueBird® by American Express, which card is better? We compared every aspect of each prepaid card to pick the better option for you. Find out who won here. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 2024 Review In this Southwest Airlines Credit Card review, compare rates, fees, and services. Learn about rewards program how it compares to other airline credit cards. Expedia+ Voyager Rewards Credit Card 2024 Review — Should You Apply? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Expedia+ Voyager Rewards Credit Card 2024 Review — Should You Apply? If you're like me, you probably make it a habit of booking trips through online...