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Ben Gran

Contributor

About

Ben Gran is a freelance contributor for Forbes Advisor on banking. He also writes for The Ascent (a Motley Fool service), where he covers insurance, credit cards, personal finance and investing. Ben has over 10 years of experience as a freelance content writer for regional banks, tech startups, and financial services companies like LendingTree and Prudential. He also works as a ghostwriter for business executives, with bylines in publications such as Fast Company, Entrepreneur and TechCrunch.

Ben Gran believes in empowering people to understand their personal finances and maximize their money. He tries to help people get better information about how banking works, and how they can make better choices and get the most from their opportunities as banking customers, savers and investors.

In addition to Forbes Advisor, Ben has written for The Motley Fool (The Ascent), Prudential, LendingTree, Bizee, regional banks and various venture-backed tech startups. His ghostwritten bylines for business leaders have appeared in publications such as Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and TechCrunch.

Ben Gran has been a full-time professional writer for most of his working life. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, Ben worked as a regulatory compliance technical writer for a major national bank, a marketing agency account manager, and a speechwriter for the former governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack, who now serves as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the administration of President Joe Biden. While earning his B.A. degree from Rice University, Ben Gran interned at The Pentagon as a speechwriter for the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Richard Danzig.

Ben is a passionate world traveler. He has lived in Japan (where he worked as an English teacher) and visited eleven countries. Along with his native English, Ben speaks some Spanish and Japanese (but wishes he was fluent in all three languages). Ben tries to bring a broad-minded perspective to his writing projects, with a spirit of inclusion โ€“ whether itโ€™s writing about the end of overdraft fees, or how to help unbanked people get access to fairer, lower-cost financial services.

Expertise

  • Banking
  • Personal finance
  • Insurance
  • Retirement
  • Investing
  • Credit cards

Achievements

  • More than 10 years of experience in financial journalism
  • Covers banking, consumer finance, credit cards, economics, investing, insurance and small business trends
  • Work published by The Ascent (a Motley Fool service), Prudential, LendingTree and others

Other Publications

Education

Rice University (B.A., History)

  • Best Joint Checking Accounts Of 2025

    Joint checking accounts are often associated with couples in relationships, but almost any two people can open a joint account together, including friends, business partners, a parent and child, or other pairs of family members. You have several outstanding checking...
    Best Joint Checking Accounts Of 2025
  • Marcus By Goldman Sachs Review 2025

    Marcus, the consumer banking division of Goldman Sachs, currently offers a high-yield savings account and certificates of deposit with terms ranging from six months to six years. These accounts offer competitive rates and do not charge monthly fees. Since Marcus...
    Marcus By Goldman Sachs Review 2025
  • Discover Bank CD Rates In 2025

    offer competitive rates, with annual percentage yields (APY) between . Available terms range from three months to 10 years, and thereโ€™s no minimum deposit required to open an account. Hereโ€™s an overview of Discover Bank CD rates. Overview of Discover...
    Discover Bank CD Rates In 2025
  • U.S. Bank Review 2025

    We like U.S. Bank because it offers branch banking in 27 states, well-rated digital tools and a full suite of banking products and services. It's an excellent choice for customers who want nationwide access and the full range of amenities...
    U.S. Bank Review 2025
  • What To Do When Your CD Matures

    Opening a certificate of deposit (CD) is just the first step. You have to claim your interest earnings when your CD matures. If you donโ€™t, your bank may automatically renew your CD. That means youโ€™d have to ride out the...
    What To Do When Your CD Matures
  • Best Savings Accounts With Debit Cards Or ATM Cards Of 2025

    Savings accounts are typically best for stashing money you donโ€™t have plans to spend just yet. But sometimes, life throws you a curveball and you need to dip into savings to cover emergencies, or you meet a savings goal and...
    Best Savings Accounts With Debit Cards Or ATM Cards Of 2025
  • Best CD Rates In Iowa For 2025

    To find the best CD rates in Iowa, shop around. Compare account details for CDs from multiple banks and credit unions. Try using a CD calculator to see how your savings can grow with each option, and keep in mind...
    Best CD Rates In Iowa For 2025
  • Navy Federal Credit Union Certificate (CD) Rates: 2025

    Navy Federal Credit Union offers several "Share Certificates," with terms ranging from three months to seven years. Share certificates are the credit union equivalent of certificates of deposit (CDs) found at banks. Navy Federalโ€™s certificate rates tend to be fairly...
    Navy Federal Credit Union Certificate (CD) Rates: 2025
  • PenFed Credit Union Certificate (CD) Rates: 2025

    Pentagon Federal Credit Union, better known as PenFed, offers "Money Market Certificate" terms ranging from six months to seven years. These share certificates are the credit union equivalent of the certificates of deposit (CDs) found at banks. PenFedโ€™s certificate rates...
    PenFed Credit Union Certificate (CD) Rates: 2025
  • Sallie Mae Bank CD Rates: 2025

    Sallie Mae Bank offers 11 certificate of deposit (CD) terms, ranging from six months to 60 months. The bankโ€™s CD rates tend to be competitive among online banks. Thereโ€™s a minimum deposit requirement to open a CD.
    Sallie Mae Bank CD Rates: 2025
  • What Is A No-Penalty CD?

    Certificates of deposit (CDs) can be a good place for people to keep their cash savings since they offer the safety of FDIC insurance and a guaranteed rate of return. However, with most CDs, if you have to pull your...
    What Is A No-Penalty CD?
  • The CFPB: Protecting and Educating Financial Consumers

    If youโ€™ve ever had a bad experience with a bank, credit card issuer or mortgage company, if youโ€™ve ever been discriminated against when applying for credit or if youโ€™ve ever been victimized by financial fraud or abusive practices, you should...
    The CFPB: Protecting and Educating Financial Consumers
  • TD Bank Review 2025

    TD Bank is one of Americaโ€™s largest banks by assets. It maintains 1,120 branches along the East Coast of the U.S., with footprints in 15 states and Washington, D.C. The bank has more than 150 years of history and serves...
    TD Bank Review 2025
  • Bank Of America CD Rates: 2025

    The come in five CD terms, ranging from seven months to 37 months. Bank of America also offers Fixed Term CDs, which allow you to choose any term from one month to 10 years. Another option is the , available...
    Bank Of America CD Rates: 2025
  • Capital One 360 CD Rates: 2025

    Capital One offers 10 certificate of deposit (CD) terms, ranging from six months to 60 months. The bankโ€™s CD rates are competitive among online banks. Thereโ€™s no minimum deposit requirement to open a Capital One 360 CD. Hereโ€™s an overview...
    Capital One 360 CD Rates: 2025
  • Is Joining A Credit Union Right For You? Here Are The Top Benefits

    If youโ€™re looking to switch banks or are in the market for a new mortgage, auto loan, savings account or other financial products, you may want to consider starting a banking relationship with an organization that isnโ€™t a bank at...
    Is Joining A Credit Union Right For You? Here Are The Top Benefits
  • ChexSystems: Everything You Need To Know

    While you may be familiar with the three major credit reporting agencies that look at your overall financial health and provide credit reports, you may or may not be aware of an agency that tracks your banking behavior. This agency...
    ChexSystems: Everything You Need To Know
  • Ally Bank Review 2025

    Ally Bank is a full-service online bank that offers high APYs on savings accounts and CDs, and scores high on customer satisfaction surveys. Ally also offers a full range of financial products, including credit cards, personal loans, investments, auto financing,...
    Ally Bank Review 2025
  • CD Vs. High-Yield Savings Account: How To Choose

    If youโ€™re looking for a place to keep short-term savings, both certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts are good options. Each offers safety and interest earnings. But while these two types of savings accounts share some features, they serve...
    CD Vs. High-Yield Savings Account: How To Choose
  • How To Save Money As A Teenagerโ€”With Or Without A Job

    Being a teenager is one of the most exciting stages of life. Youโ€™re learning and growing every day, making friends and trying new things, and youโ€™re gaining a higher level of independence. Part of growing up is learning how to...
    How To Save Money As A Teenagerโ€”With Or Without A Job
  • Navy Federal Credit Union Review 2025

    Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the U.S., serving 13.2 million members nationally and internationally. The credit union operates over 350 branch locations worldwide with a focus on serving military bases. Despite mediocre savings account rates,...
    Navy Federal Credit Union Review 2025
  • What Is An ACH Payment And How Does It Work?

    Every day, billions of dollars move silently through the U.S. financial system powered by a complex but elegant payment system called the Automated Clearing House - ACH. If youโ€™ve ever signed up for online bill pay or received a paycheck...
    What Is An ACH Payment And How Does It Work?
  • 5 Desirable Mobile Banking App Features

    If youโ€™re looking for a new bank account, you may want to consider choosing a bank or credit union that offers a robust mobile app with all the latest features for on-the-go banking. Digital banking features have come a long...
    5 Desirable Mobile Banking App Features
  • Demand Deposit Vs. Time Deposit: Whatโ€™s The Difference?

    There are many different types of bank accounts, each designed to meet different financial goals. Two primary categories of accounts are defined as time deposit accounts and demand deposit accounts. It can be worthwhile to understand the differences between a...
    Demand Deposit Vs. Time Deposit: Whatโ€™s The Difference?
  • 9 Ways To Automate Your Savings

    Saving money is something that most people struggle to do. Recent studies have shown that 32% of Americans donโ€™t have enough money to cover a $400 emergency. No matter how much you make or how secure your overall finances may...
    9 Ways To Automate Your Savings
  • What Is A Jumbo CD?

    If you have a significant amount of cash in savings, and you want to keep your money safe while earning a decent yield, you may want to consider a jumbo CD. Jumbo CDs work in the same way as regular...
    What Is A Jumbo CD?
  • How Can A Business Bank Account Help Your Small Business Grow?

    Millions of Americans have lost their jobs during 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and many of those Americans may be considering starting a business. If youโ€™re new to the world of entrepreneurship, you may want to consider making your...
    How Can A Business Bank Account Help Your Small Business Grow?
  • A Glossary Of Basic Banking Terms

    Being a bank customer and navigating everyday financial transactions can introduce you to basic banking terms and plenty of financial jargon. Do you know the difference between APR and APY? What about a CD (certificate of deposit) and a money...
    A Glossary Of Basic Banking Terms
  • CommunityWide Federal Credit Union Review 2025

    CommunityWide Federal Credit Union has a small physical presence in Indiana and offers share certificates, checking and savings accounts. If youโ€™re looking for competitive yields on CDs and checking accounts or financial counseling, CommunityWide Credit Union might be right for...
    CommunityWide Federal Credit Union Review 2025
  • Can PayPal Serve As Your Bank Account?

    More than 300 million people and businesses worldwide use PayPal to send money, receive money and shop online. Along with digital payments, PayPal offers other financial services like debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards and lines of credit. If you...
    Can PayPal Serve As Your Bank Account?
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Top Picks From Ben Gran

  • 9 Ways To Automate Your Savings
    9 Ways To Automate Your Savings

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  • Is Joining A Credit Union Right For You? Here Are The Top Benefits
    Is Joining A Credit Union Right For You? Here Are The Top Benefits

    by Ben Gran

    Read More

  • Debt Free In A Year? 10 Steps And Strategies For Paying Down Debt
    Debt Free In A Year? 10 Steps And Strategies For Paying Down Debt

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About

Ben Gran is a freelance contributor for Forbes Advisor on banking. He also writes for The Ascent (a Motley Fool service), where he covers insurance, credit cards, personal finance and investing. Ben has over 10 years of experience as a freelance content writer for regional banks, tech startups, and financial services companies like LendingTree and Prudential. He also works as a ghostwriter for business executives, with bylines in publications such as Fast Company, Entrepreneur and TechCrunch.