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.

Study: 1 in 5 Americans Spend More Time Planning Vacations vs. Managing Their Money A MyBankTracker survey finds that 1 in 5 Americans spend more time planning vacations than managing money, while 34% spend an equal amount of time on both. Are Banks Open on Thanksgiving Day? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Are Banks Open on Thanksgiving Day? Turkey day is just around the corner and you probably have better things to do... How Far Would You Go to Get Rid of Your Student Debt? [Infographic] Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How Far Would You Go to Get Rid of Your Student Debt? [Infographic] The dire situation of student loan debt is no mystery to the millions of Americans who... Are Banks Open on the Fourth of July? Are banks open on the Fourth of July? Get the holiday bank hours for the top banks in the U.S. Free Credit Score Alternatives Through Equifax, Experian, and Transunion MyBankTracker lists three companies (Equifax, Transunion, Experian) that can offer you a free alternative credit score and why they're worth checking out. How to Apply for an IRS Tax Filing Extension for Free - Form 4868 Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How to Apply for an IRS Tax Filing Extension for Free - Form 4868 Not expecting to file your return by the deadline? You can apply for an extension, but... Study: How Much Money Would You Lend to Family or Close Friends? Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen Study: How Much Money Would You Lend to Family or Close Friends? When a family member or close friend asks you to borrow some money, it’s often a... Study: More Than Half of Americans Do Not Put Spare Change to Good Use A survey finds that fewer Americans are putting their spare change to good use -- possibly due to other convenient payment methods and fewer coin counters. U.S. Bank Overdraft and Checking Fee Policies U.S. Bank is making changes to their overdraft fees and checking fee waivers. Learn about how those changes will impact you here. How to Earn More Interest With CD Ladder Strategies Photo of Simon Zhen Simon Zhen How to Earn More Interest With CD Ladder Strategies A certificate of deposit (CD) is one of the safest saving tools available and...