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.
VantageScore vs. FICOOct 30, 2026
Learn what VantageScore is, how it differs from FICO, why a free app's score may not match a lender's, and which lenders use VantageScore.
How to Rebuild CreditOct 30, 2026
Learn how to rebuild credit after late payments, collections, a charge-off, settlement, or bankruptcy: steps that may work, and what to skip.
Joint Checking Account: How It Works and What You Take OnOct 30, 2026
Learn how a joint checking account works, who can open one, what a creditor can take when one owner has debt, and how to remove an owner or close it.
The 3 Credit Bureaus: What They Do and How to Reach ThemOct 30, 2026
Learn who the 3 credit bureaus are, what each one does, why your three credit reports can differ, and how to contact each bureau directly.
FICO Score vs Credit Score: Which Number Do Lenders Use?Oct 29, 2026
Is a FICO score the same as a credit score? Learn how they differ, why you have more than one score, and which one lenders check before you apply.
How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?Oct 29, 2026
Find out how long it takes to get a first credit score, reach good credit, or rebuild after late payments and collections, and how to speed it up.
Can You Buy a House if Your Wife or Husband Has Bad Credit?Oct 22, 2026
How does my husband's our wife's credit score affect buying a house together? Here's how lenders actually evaluate joint mortgage applications, and your options.
What Is Overdraft Protection and Should You Turn It On?Oct 22, 2026
Learn what overdraft protection is, how it works, what it can cost you, and how to decide whether to turn it on or off for your checking account.
Second Chance Banking: How to Get a Bank Account After a DenialOct 22, 2026
Turned down for a checking account? Learn how second chance banking and second chance checking work, what to do if you owe a bank money, and how to move up.
Can You Pay Off a Personal Loan Early?Oct 22, 2026
Find out if you can pay off a personal loan early, how a prepayment penalty works, what paying early saves, and when the money is better used elsewhere.
How to Budget: Create a Budget You Can Stick toOct 22, 2026
Learn how to budget step by step: add up your income, sort your expenses, pick a method, and fix a budget that comes up short.
ChexSystems Report: How to Get It, Dispute It, and Freeze ItOct 22, 2026
Turned down for a bank account? Find out how to get your ChexSystems report, dispute what's wrong, learn how long a record stays, and freeze your file.
Personal Loans With No Origination Fee: Who Offers Them and When They Cost LessOct 22, 2026
Find out which lenders offer personal loans with no origination fee, how the fee changes what you receive, and how to tell if a no-fee loan costs less.
KeyBank Personal Loan Review October 2026Oct 1, 2026
KeyBank personal loans carry no origination fee and reach $50,000, but the bank lends in only 15 states and offers no soft-pull prequalification.
M&T Bank Personal Loan Review October 2026Oct 1, 2026
M&T Bank personal loans charge no origination fee, with fixed APRs up to 15.69%. Check rates, terms, and reviews.
Golden 1 Personal Loan October 2026 ReviewOct 1, 2026
Golden 1 personal loans pair a low starting APR and no origination fee with California-focused membership. Compare rates, terms, and requirements.
Fifth Third Bank Personal Loan Review October 2026Oct 1, 2026
Fifth Third Bank personal loan review: no origination or prepayment fees, but no prequalification and online applications require an existing account.
Best Online Lenders for Personal Loans October 2026: Compare Rates and FeesOct 1, 2026
Compare the best online lenders for personal loans. See real APR ranges, origination fees, and what the advertised rate actually requires.
OneMain Financial October 2026 ReviewOct 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 October 2026Oct 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 October 2026Oct 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 October 2026 ReviewOct 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.
How to Get a Small Personal LoanSep 24, 2026
Need a few hundred dollars? Learn where small personal loans come from, what credit score lenders look for, and how to compare offers before you apply.
Credit Union Personal Loans: Rates, Requirements, and How to ApplySep 24, 2026
Federal credit unions charge up to 18% APR on most loans. Compare credit union personal loan rates, membership rules, and credit requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 best debt consolidation loan options: 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.