About
With more than 15 years of experience crafting content about all aspects of personal finance, Michael Benninger knows how to identify smart moves for your money. His work has been published by Intuit, Insider and the Los Angeles Times, and he's been quoted by The Street and Yahoo Finance among other news outlets. Prior to his role at Forbes Advisor, Michael worked as a banking writer for Finder.com, where he authored in-depth reviews of hundreds of banking products.
Michael Benninger’s passion for personal finance began when he worked as a part-time credit analyst during college. It was then he learned the importance of maintaining a clean credit report and paying bills on time. This knowledge helped Michael develop a strong foundation of healthy financial habits as he pursued a career in writing after graduation.
Michael’s editorial endeavors began with roles as a writer and editor for several magazines and newspapers in Southern California. That phase of Michael’s career was followed by a role as a full-time in-house writer at a marketing agency, where he had the opportunity to write for the personal finance app Mint and its parent company, Intuit. This experience sparked in Michael a newfound desire to help readers make smart moves with their money.
From 2020 to 2022, Michael worked as a banking writer for Finder.com, where he authored in-depth reviews of hundreds of banking products. And today, he serves as the lead editor of banking at Forbes Advisor, a role that has him oversee topics including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, budgeting and more. His goal remains to help readers make smart moves with their money.
Michael currently lives outside Philadelphia and loves spending time with his wife and daughter when he’s not working.
Expertise
- Banking
- Checking
- Savings
- Certificates of deposit
- Money market accounts
Achievements
- Former credit analyst
- More than 15 years of writing and editing experience
- Published by Mint, Insider and the Los Angeles Times, among others
Other Publications
- 5 tips to ace your first-ever salary negotiation
- How to Pay off Student Loan Debt
- Credit Where It’s Due: How To Avoid Financial Avalanche By Snowballing Debt
Education
Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, Rowan University
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Best Checking Accounts Of October 2025
If your checking account is charging you too many fees or making it difficult to access your money, it’s time for a change. We compared 362 checking accounts to find out which ones deserve your consideration for an everyday bank... -
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: October 22, 2025 – Rates Are Steady
Savings account yields are much higher than a few years ago Top rates may fall if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates Online banks tend to offer the best yields available Rates on savings accounts are about the same since... -
Money Market Interest Rates Today: October 22, 2025 – Earn Up To 4.22%
The highest money market account rate available today is 4.22% Changes from the Fed or your bank can quickly change money market rates Online banks typically offer the most competitive yields on the market Current Money Market Rates As of... -
CD Rates Today: October 22, 2025 – Earn As Much As 4.94%
Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money... -
Robinhood Cash Card Review 2025
The is a debit card that encourages investing by letting you round up your purchases and invest the difference. Cardholders can also earn cash rewards at popular retailers. That said, the card has its limitations. This account is best for... -
Alliant Credit Union Review 2025
Alliant Credit Union is an online credit union offering checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs (share certificates) and personal loans, among other financial products. Compared to traditional banks, Alliant Credit Union offers lower fees and higher APYs on its savings accounts.... -
Bluevine Business Checking Review 2025
Bluevine is a financial technology company that provides banking services for small businesses. By partnering with over two dozen banks, Bluevine offers business checking, loans and a credit card. Its flagship checking account, , has three plan options and an... -
Bank5 Connect Review 2025
BankFive is a Massachusetts-based community bank that’s been operating since 1855. But even if you’re outside of BankFive’s home region in New England, you can still take advantage of some of the bank’s products and services through Bank5 Connect, the... -
CD Interest Rates Forecast: Will CD Rates Go Up In 2025?
The Federal Reserve announced at its September policy meeting it was cutting rates for the first time this year, lowering the target range to 4.00%-4.25%. After months of holding steady, the move shows central bankers are more worried about a... -
Current CD Account Interest Rates In 2025
If you hope to earn high interest on money you set aside in a certificate of deposit (CD), you’ll want to consider opening an account soon. CD rates have been slowly decreasing since late 2024, and they’re expected to get... -
Average Savings Account Interest Rates Of 2025
According to FDIC data, the average interest rate on savings accounts is currently . That rate is much higher than it was prior to the pandemic, but it's far lower than what the best savings accounts pay. Average Interest Rate... -
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: October 21, 2025 – Rates Are Steady
Savings account yields are much higher than a few years ago Top rates may fall if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates Online banks tend to offer the best yields available Rates on savings accounts are about the same versus... -
Money Market Interest Rates Today: October 21, 2025 – Earn Up To 4.22%
The highest money market account rate available today is 4.22% Changes from the Fed or your bank can quickly change money market rates Online banks typically offer the most competitive yields on the market Current Money Market Rates Right now,... -
CD Rates Today: October 21, 2025 – Take Home Up To 4.94%
Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money... -
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: October 20, 2025 – Rates Are Steady
Savings account yields are much higher than a few years ago Top rates may fall if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates Online banks tend to offer the best yields available Rates on savings accounts are relatively unchanged since a... -
Money Market Interest Rates Today: October 20, 2025 – Rates At 4.22%
The highest money market account rate available today is 4.22% Changes from the Fed or your bank can quickly change money market rates Online banks typically offer the most competitive yields on the market Current Money Market Rates As of... -
CD Rates Today: October 20, 2025 – Rates As High As 4.94%
Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money... -
Ally Bank Review 2025
Ally is a full-service online bank offering a large selection of banking products, including checking, savings, certificate of deposit (CD) and money market accounts. Ally Bank accounts have no monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements and earn fairly competitive interest... -
CD Rates Today: October 16, 2025 – Rates Tick Lower
Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money... -
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: October 16, 2025 – Rates Are Steady
Savings account yields are much higher than a few years ago Top rates may fall if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates Online banks tend to offer the best yields available Rates on savings accounts are about the same compared... -
Today’s Top Money Market Account Rates For October 16, 2025 – Rates Hit 4.22%Â
The highest money market account rate available today is 4.22% Changes from the Fed or your bank can quickly change money market rates Online banks typically offer the most competitive yields on the market Current Money Market Rates As of... -
How To Open A Bank Account
Having a bank account helps keep your money safe while making it easy to pay bills and transfer funds. Opening a bank account is the first step toward accessing other financial products like credit cards and loans. If you’re not... -
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: October 15, 2025 – Rates Are Steady
Savings account yields are much higher than a few years ago Top rates may fall if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates Online banks tend to offer the best yields available Rates on savings accounts are about the same compared... -
Money Market Interest Rates Today: October 15, 2025 – Rates At 4.22%Â
The highest money market account rate available today is 4.22% Changes from the Fed or your bank can quickly change money market rates Online banks typically offer the most competitive yields on the market Current Money Market Rates The current... -
CD Rates Today: October 15, 2025 – Earn As Much As 4.94%
Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money... -
Best Credit Unions Of 2025
When you’re in the market for a new bank account, you might start your search with the large, national banks with massive branch networks. However, you should also consider credit unions, which could offer you just what you’re looking for... -
Savings Rates Forecast 2025: How High Will Rates Go In 2025?
If your savings account is barely paying anything, you’re not imagining it. But not every bank is holding back. As of mid-September, the average U.S. savings account yields just annual percentage yield (APY), according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.... -
Best Student Checking Accounts Of 2025
The best student checking accounts keep the fees low, let you access your money easily and have user-friendly online banking tools. We analyzed 31 popular checking accounts, comparing them on their fees, accessibility, digital features, interest rates and minimum deposit... -
Best Student Checking Accounts Of 2025
The best student checking accounts keep the fees low, let you access your money easily and have user-friendly online banking tools. We analyzed 31 popular checking accounts, comparing them on their fees, accessibility, digital features, interest rates and minimum deposit...
About
With more than 15 years of experience crafting content about all aspects of personal finance, Michael Benninger knows how to identify smart moves for your money. His work has been published by Intuit, Insider and the Los Angeles Times, and he's been quoted by The Street and Yahoo Finance among other news outlets. Prior to his role at Forbes Advisor, Michael worked as a banking writer for Finder.com, where he authored in-depth reviews of hundreds of banking products.