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 itโs 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
- Hereโs How Capital One Buying Discover Affects Average Credit Users Like You
- What the Rise of the โIntrovert Economyโ Means for Your Money in 2024
- The Basics of Saving and Investing
- 5 Tips to Keep Your Personal Finances Afloat
Education
Rice University (B.A., History)
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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... -
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 thereโs no minimum deposit required to open an account. Hereโs an overview of Discover Bank CD rates. Overview of Discover... -
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... -
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 donโt, your bank may automatically renew your CD. That means youโd have to ride out the... -
Best Savings Accounts With Debit Cards Or ATM Cards Of 2025
Savings accounts are typically best for stashing money you donโt 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 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... -
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 Federalโs certificate rates tend to be fairly... -
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. PenFedโs certificate rates... -
Sallie Mae Bank CD Rates: 2025
Sallie Mae Bank offers 11 certificate of deposit (CD) terms, ranging from six months to 60 months. The bankโs CD rates tend to be competitive among online banks. Thereโs a minimum deposit requirement to open a CD. -
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... -
The CFPB: Protecting and Educating Financial Consumers
If youโve ever had a bad experience with a bank, credit card issuer or mortgage company, if youโve ever been discriminated against when applying for credit or if youโve ever been victimized by financial fraud or abusive practices, you should... -
TD Bank Review 2025
TD Bank is one of Americaโs 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... -
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... -
Capital One 360 CD Rates: 2025
Capital One offers 10 certificate of deposit (CD) terms, ranging from six months to 60 months. The bankโs CD rates are competitive among online banks. Thereโs no minimum deposit requirement to open a Capital One 360 CD. Hereโs an overview... -
Is Joining A Credit Union Right For You? Here Are The Top Benefits
If youโre 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 isnโt a bank at... -
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... -
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,... -
CD Vs. High-Yield Savings Account: How To Choose
If youโre 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... -
How To Save Money As A TeenagerโWith Or Without A Job
Being a teenager is one of the most exciting stages of life. Youโre learning and growing every day, making friends and trying new things, and youโre gaining a higher level of independence. Part of growing up is learning how to... -
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,... -
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 youโve ever signed up for online bill pay or received a paycheck... -
5 Desirable Mobile Banking App Features
If youโre 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... -
Demand Deposit Vs. Time Deposit: Whatโs 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... -
9 Ways To Automate Your Savings
Saving money is something that most people struggle to do. Recent studies have shown that 32% of Americans donโt have enough money to cover a $400 emergency. No matter how much you make or how secure your overall finances may... -
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... -
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 youโre new to the world of entrepreneurship, you may want to consider making your... -
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... -
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 youโre looking for competitive yields on CDs and checking accounts or financial counseling, CommunityWide Credit Union might be right for... -
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...
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.