If you have checked your credit report lately, you may have noticed an "inquiries" section. An inquiry refers to a request to look at your credit file and falls into one of two camps: hard or soft. A ...

Shopping for a mortgage, car loan or student loan? Make sure you know the 45-day rule Written By Written by Contributor, Buy Side Ben Luthi is a contributor to Buy Side and an expert on credit, loans, ...

Note to readers: Visit our Coronavirus Information Center for more information about how the response to the outbreak affects your student debt, and other forms of financial hardship. Your credit ...

Kelly-Ann Franklin has spent more than two decades in journalism which has helped her build a wide knowledge base of business and personal finance topics. Her goal with editing is to ensure tough ...

When you apply for most types of credit, a "hard credit inquiry" will appear on your credit report, which can have a negative impact on your credit score. As a result, people are often afraid to shop ...

Leah Zitter is a financial writer with a background in international research, marketing, and sales. Erika Rasure is globally-recognized as a leading consumer economics subject matter expert, ...

Preapproval isn't common among business credit cards, but some offer nearly instant approval once you apply. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who ...

Every card is different, so it's all about knowing your travel habits and priorities. Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action ...

When you’re searching for a good deal on financing, it sometimes makes sense to fill out applications with multiple lenders to make sure you find the best offers available. Credit and financial ...