Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly is a financial counselor accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®, and a mortgage expert for The Motley Fool.
Kimberly Rotter is a consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Kimberly is a bankruptcy survivor who now owns property, a business, and investments, and volunteers as a financial coach. She’s also on the board of the Financial Writers Society, the only international community of writers with high-level expertise in financial niche topics.
Personal Loan Lenders: How to Compare Banks, Credit Unions, and Online LendersSep 2, 2026
Compare personal loan lenders by type. Learn how banks, credit unions, and online lenders differ on rates, fees, and who they lend to.
How to Compare Personal Loan Rates Before You BorrowSep 2, 2026
Compare personal loan rates the right way: check the APR, not the interest rate. See how fees, terms, and credit tiers change what you really pay.
Best Credit Unions for Personal Loans in 2026: How to Compare Your OptionsSep 2, 2026
Compare the best credit unions for a personal loan by rate, fees, and membership rules, then prequalify with a soft credit check before you apply.
Banks That Offer Personal LoansSep 2, 2026
Compare banks that offer personal loans, including rates, loan amounts, and eligibility, so you can find the option that fits your credit and goals.
Best Online Lenders for Personal Loans September 2026: Compare Rates and FeesSep 1, 2026
Compare the best online lenders for personal loans. See real APR ranges, origination fees, and what the advertised rate actually requires.
Fifth Third Bank Personal Loan Review September 2026Sep 1, 2026
Fifth Third Bank personal loan review: no origination or prepayment fees, but no prequalification and online applications require an existing account.
OneMain Financial September 2026 ReviewSep 1, 2026
Compare OneMain Financial personal loans: $1,500 to $30,000, APRs up to 35.99%, origination fees up to 10%. See rates, fees, funding speed, and ratings.
Chase Personal Loan Alternatives September 2026Sep 1, 2026
Chase doesn't offer traditional personal loans. See how My Chase Loan works and how alternatives like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and SoFi compare.
Citizens Bank Personal Loan Alternatives September 2026Sep 1, 2026
Citizens Bank no longer originates personal loans, but it still services existing ones. See where to apply instead, plus alternatives like SoFi and LightStream.
Santander Personal Loan September 2026 ReviewSep 1, 2026
Santander paused new personal loan applications in May 2025. See what that means, the last-published terms, and personal loan alternatives lending now.
Debt Relief Programs: How They Work, What They Cost, and How to Choose OneAug 20, 2026
Debt relief programs include settlement, credit counseling, and more. Learn what each costs, how they affect your credit, and how to avoid scams.
What Is a Debt Consolidation Loan?Aug 17, 2026
A debt consolidation loan is one new personal loan that pays off your other balances. Learn what it costs, who's eligible, and when it isn't the right tool.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Loan?Aug 17, 2026
Money from a personal loan could come same-day—or take a week or more. It all depends on you and your lender. See the timeline and what can speed it up.
Best Personal Loan CompaniesAug 15, 2026
Compare the best personal loan companies by rate, fee, and credit tier. See which lenders fit your needs and prequalify without hurting your credit.
How to Handle Collection Calls From Midland Credit ManagementAug 15, 2026
Getting calls from Midland Credit Management? Learn whether they're legit, what to say, how to validate the debt, and your rights if you're sued.
How Do Personal Loans Work?Aug 15, 2026
A personal loan gives you a lump sum of cash you repay in fixed monthly installments. Learn more about your personal loan options here.
How We Review Debt Settlement CompaniesAug 7, 2026
See exactly how we review debt settlement companies: the six weighted criteria, the star-rating formula, and where every fact comes from.
Credit Counseling vs Debt Settlement: Which Is Better?Aug 6, 2026
Credit counseling repays what you owe at lower interest; debt settlement pays less but damages credit. Compare costs, credit impact, and which fits you.
Does Credit Counseling Hurt Your Credit?Aug 6, 2026
Credit counseling itself won't hurt your credit score. A debt management plan can affect it short-term. Here's what changes your score and what doesn't.
Tax Consequences of Debt Settlement: Do You Owe the IRS Money?Aug 1, 2026
Settling debt can trigger a tax bill on the forgiven amount. Learn when it applies, how to calculate it, and how insolvency could reduce what you owe.
Best Debt Consolidation Loans: Compare Your OptionsAug 1, 2026
Compare the main ways to consolidate debt: personal loan, balance transfer, and home equity. See which option fits your situation and budget.
How to Avoid Debt Relief ScamsJul 25, 2026
Learn the red flags of debt relief scams, the federal rule on upfront fees, and how to verify a company before you pay. Get steps to report a scam.
How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt: 3 Ways to Simplify Your PaymentsJul 24, 2026
Learn how to consolidate credit card debt with a loan, a balance transfer, or a debt management plan, and find out which option fits your budget.
Personal Line of Credit vs Personal LoanJul 24, 2026
Compare a personal line of credit and a personal loan side by side, then find out which one fits your financial goals.
Personal Loan Agreement: What to Include and How to Write OneJul 24, 2026
Learn what a personal loan agreement should include, how it protects both sides, and how to write one for a loan between family or friends.
Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit 2026Jul 20, 2026
How to get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit: which lenders work with low scores, how to spot a scam, and what to do if a loan isn't right.
Best Debt Consolidation Companies: How to Choose the Right OneJul 20, 2026
The best debt consolidation company depends on your situation. Compare loan-based and nonprofit DMP options, and learn how to vet any provider.
Personal Loans With No Collateral: What to Know Before You ApplyJul 13, 2026
No collateral? Learn how unsecured personal loans work, what lenders look for, and how to find the right loan for your situation.
What Can You Use a Personal Loan For?Jul 6, 2026
Personal loans cover debt consolidation, home repairs, medical bills, and more. Learn what you can (and can't) use one for, and when it makes sense.
Best Banks for Personal LoansJun 29, 2026
Not all banks offer personal loans, and the ones that do vary widely on rates, fees, and who they’ll lend to. Here’s how to find the right one for your situation.
Best HELOC Rates: How to Find and Compare RatesJun 29, 2026
Learn what a good HELOC rate looks like, how your rate is set, and how to compare offers to get the best HELOC rate available to you.
Are Personal Loans Bad? When They Help and When They HurtJun 27, 2026
Personal loans aren't good or bad on their own. See when one helps, when it hurts, and how to tell the difference before you borrow.
How Debt Settlement Affects Renting, Loans, and Financial AccessJun 27, 2026
Wondering if debt settlement hurts your chances of renting or borrowing? Here’s what landlords and lenders actually check, and what stays off their radar.
How to Refinance a Personal LoanJun 27, 2026
Refinancing a personal loan replaces your old loan with a new one. Learn when it could save you money, how the steps work, and what to watch for.
Best Personal Loans of 2026: Compare Top LendersJun 26, 2026
Compare the best personal loans of 2026. Find top lenders for debt consolidation, large loans, fair credit, and no-fee options. pre-qualify in minutes.
Personal Loans With a Cosigner: How They Work and When to Use OneJun 22, 2026
A cosigner could help you get approved for a personal loan or land a lower rate. Learn how cosigning works, what your cosigner takes on, and how to apply.
Will Debt Settlement Prevent Me From Renting an Apartment?Jun 18, 2026
Debt settlement doesn't block you from renting. Here's what landlords actually see on your credit report, and why missed payments matter more than the program.
Why Does My Debt Have to Go to Collections Before Settlement?Jun 18, 2026
Creditors aren't usually willing to settle a debt if you're still making payments. Learn why your accounts need to be past-due before debt settlement is an option.
The Collections Process in Debt Settlement ExplainedJun 18, 2026
Collections doesn't stop when you enroll in debt settlement. Here's how falling behind, charge-off, and collector contact actually work, and what the law limits.
Do Personal Loans Hurt Your Credit?Jun 18, 2026
Personal loans can temporarily lower your credit score—but managed well, they could help it. Here's exactly what happens and how to protect your score.
Using a Personal Loan to Buy a CarJun 18, 2026
A personal loan can finance a car—but it works differently than an auto loan. Learn when it makes sense and what to compare before you apply.
How to Cancel a Debt Settlement Program and What to ExpectJun 1, 2026
Cancel your debt settlement program in three steps and know what happens to your money, your debts, and creditor contact after you leave.
Why Won't Debt Settlement Companies Let Me Cancel?Jun 1, 2026
Tried to cancel your debt settlement program and got pushback? Here's what federal rules say about your right to leave, and what canceling actually costs you.
How Much Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost?May 29, 2026
Chapter 13 starts with a $313 filing fee, plus attorney fees, a trustee fee, and other costs. Learn what you’ll pay—and how most fees could fit into your plan.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?May 29, 2026
Filing bankruptcy on student loans is possible—but it takes an extra step. Learn how the adversary proceeding works, who qualifies, and what to do if you don’t.
Getting a Mortgage After BankruptcyMay 29, 2026
Bankruptcy doesn't end your path to homeownership. Learn how soon you could apply for a mortgage, what lenders consider, and how to prepare your application.
Why Debt Settlement Fees Feel Higher Than ExpectedMay 29, 2026
Debt settlement fees have three parts, and a debt settlement company isn't allowed to collect them upfront. Find out how they work here.
Do Debt Settlement Companies Just Make Calls I Could Make Myself?May 29, 2026
DIY debt negotiation is real. But debt settlement companies aren't charging for phone calls. Here's what the fee actually covers.
What Happens to Debt in DivorceMay 29, 2026
Debt doesn't disappear in a divorce. Learn how marital debt is divided, which spouse is responsible, and how to protect your credit and finances.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline: What to ExpectMay 29, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge. Here's what happens at each stage—and what could extend your timeline.