Andrew Pentis

Principal Writer @Bankrate covering consumer loans. Personal finance service journalist since 2015. Certified student loan counselor since 2018. Aim to help.

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

A car loan can trap you in debt faster than you think, and it can all be legal.

With auto delinquencies at a 15-year high, many buyers are still being steered into 20% APR loans and overpriced cars by focusing only on the monthly payment.
https://t.co/ACHIv1H1S2

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Affordability is everywhere in the headlines, but what’s actually changing? @Bankrate is tracking the Trump administration’s biggest affordability proposals, from housing to credit cards to student loans, and where they really stand today. Clarity > noise. https://t.co/6bSqF6EgVO

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Most couples don’t fully combine finances. A @Bankrate survey finds 62% keep at least some accounts separate. That’s not a red flag. For many, a “yours, mine, and ours” approach balances independence with shared goals. https://t.co/taFhDDUlkq

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Emergency savings or credit card debt — which comes first?

@Bankrate's survey found 44% of Americans have more emergency savings than credit card debt. That cushion can be the difference between handling a surprise expense and adding high-interest debt.
https://t.co/Ksrdy4orv6

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

43% of Americans say keeping money secrets from a partner is as bad as (or worse than) physical cheating, per a new @Bankrate survey.

Yet 45% of couples don’t fully know each other’s finances.

You don’t need shared accounts. You do need transparency. https://t.co/sMqm6l1QVR

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More than 12 million Americans live in banking deserts — places with few or no local banks. When branches close, people don’t just lose a place to cash a check. They lose access to tools that build credit and stability. https://t.co/co32dk4eRk

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Personal loan rates aren’t getting much relief in 2026. @Bankrate forecasts average APRs hovering around 12% — only a slight dip from 2025.

The Fed matters, but lender risk matters more. Translation: don’t wait on rates — shop aggressively. https://t.co/FhHmST5wFm

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Bankrate forecasts new car loan rates around 6.7% and used car rates near 7.1%. Helpful, yes — but small drops may only save about $10/month.
Your credit, loan terms and shopping around still matter most. https://t.co/QHBzux70bV

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Americans are heading into 2026 with less financial confidence, according to @Bankrate’s new FSP survey.

Younger adults remain the most hopeful — and those who expect improvement point to things they can control, like earning more and paying down debt. https://t.co/c633ZYIY3Z

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Inventory & financing are two hurdles keeping homeownership out of reach in many U.S. cities.
From Seattle’s “trees vs. triplexes” to Boston’s zoning reforms, Andrew Dehan & I dig into how supply, policy & lending collide.

Read more: https://t.co/EUAVGIfz8n

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

The typical U.S. household is priced out of 75% of homes on the market. In some metros, only 1 in 200 listings are affordable.

@alex_gailey breaks down the stats behind today’s affordability crunch and what it means for buyers. https://t.co/GDSmjt8xrQ

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

More Americans are falling behind on their car payments, and it’s not just subprime borrowers anymore. Rising costs are catching up with everyone. Here’s what the surge in delinquencies really means: https://t.co/hf6gDvog4F

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Important new work from @AlexGailey_ at @Bankrate: Women earn about 81¢ for every $1 men make, and at this pace, most won’t see equal pay before retirement. The gap even widened for the first time in 20 years. https://t.co/3004WaHa8c

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

78% of holiday staples now cost more than last year, according to @Bankrate’s new study. Inflation and tariffs are part of the story — but so are households stretching to make the holidays happen. Spend with intention. https://t.co/XeUcNkiHeg

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Student loan delinquencies are rising — and millions of borrowers are now classified as subprime.

The challenge for lenders: distinguishing a missed payment from a true credit risk.

My latest for @Bankrate: https://t.co/8pS3kJebWJ

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

New @Bankrate data shows higher earnings—not lower spending—are fueling stronger emergency savings. Nearly half who saved more this year also saw income rise. Building savings starts with building income. https://t.co/wGkuTB9e8b

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Maybe the problem isn’t how much we borrow for college. It’s how we borrow.

Student lines of credit let families take what they need, when they need it — a small mindset shift that could mean less stress and less debt. https://t.co/jt2dkxbP0w

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

AI can answer student loan questions fast but fair warning — it’s not always right. Use it as a resource, not your authority, when planning student loan repayment. https://t.co/kxDUCwLeqn

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

SAVE’s interest-free forbearance is over. Now federal student loans will accrue interest, making balances grow and higher payments. It’s time to review your options. https://t.co/m2C0mRM6JM

[Andrew Pentis @AndrewPentis]

Medical debt isn’t going away on credit reports. A judge recently struck down new rules, leaving $49 billion in medical bills on file. Learn what your options are here: https://t.co/6e1YhhGUgj+