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Karen Bennett

Consumer Banking Reporter
  • 30
    Years of experience
Ribbon Icon EXPERTISE
  • Consumer banking
  • Savings accounts
  • CD rates
  • Money market accounts
  • Personal finance
Education Icon EDUCATION
  • Master of Arts in Journalism, Columbia College Chicago
  • Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Illinois
  • Minor in Political Science, University of Illinois

Karen Bennett is a senior consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. Her expertise lies in finding the best savings accounts, checking accounts and CDs, as well as all things personal finance. She’s been a reporter at Bankrate since 2021, and she holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a bachelor’s degree in English.

Karen’s writing experience spans topics including bank accounts, saving money, budgeting, and credit cards, as well as lifestyle and health. She also spent time as a writer of product reviews and a reporter for local newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. In addition, she worked for over a decade as a writer and product manager for CoolSavings, a website devoted to saving money on groceries, travel and other products.

Karen stays on top of the latest in banking and personal finance. Topics she writes about for Bankrate include how to choose the best high-yield savings account, the latest statistics on checking account fees and ways to protect yourself from bank fraud.

On the personal finance front, Karen has covered topics such as progress for women in banking and the pitfalls of spaving deals (spaving is the act of spending more money to qualify for money-saving promotions).

When she’s not working, Karen enjoys working on her novel, as well as reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Karen beyond Bankrate

Karen talks with Yahoo Finance on ways to save more money each month

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How to budget for the holidays

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Karen’s 5 steps to a financial glow-up

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Ways to save at the grocery store

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The pillars of smart money management include having an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account, paying down debt, following a budget and living within your means.

— Karen Bennett

Karen's latest articles

  • Best Checking Accounts Of June 2026

    View Bankrate's list of the best checking accounts. Compare banks with high interest checking accounts and securely sign up online.

    7 min read Jun 05, 2026
  • Best CD Rates Of June 2026 - Up to 4.20%

    Stay informed on today's best CD rates trending above 4 percent APY. Bankrate's experts compare CD offers from thousands of financial institutions, empowering you to make the right decisions for your financial goals.

    6 min read Jun 05, 2026
  • Best 2-Year CD Rates For June 2026

    Shop around before you buy a two-year CD. The best rates for a certificate of deposit pay way more than the national average.

    3 min read Jun 05, 2026
  • BMO Bank Review 2025

    Read our experts' review on BMO Bank's features and product offerings. Bankrate reviews and compares hundreds of banks to help find the right fit for you.

    2 min read Jun 05, 2026
  • Best Online Banks Of 2026

    Bankrate reviewed thousands of data points to determine the nation’s best banks. We gave the most weight to savings interest rates and low-cost or free checking accounts. Here are our picks for the best online banks.

    11 min read Jun 05, 2026