I bet that you wonder if your old school style desk phone is compatible with a wireless headset. The short answer is yes, it is fully compatible as long as you have a corded handset (receiver) and you have your desk phone not mounted on the wall or too inclined on your desk.
The reason why the later mentioned is that there’s a device that allows to do the remote answer using a wireless headset. You wonder, what is “remote answer”? Remote answer is allowing a wireless headset user to answer the call from the distance by simply pressing the answer key on the headset or tapping it. You need to be careful at the time of getting your handset lifter, as sometimes for the design of the phone by itself the lifter will not be compatible with the desk phone, which means that in some cases the lifter will not have the proper angle to pick up the handset or in another case, the lifter will pick up the handset so high that will drop the handset off from the base.
Special mention on this topic is that handset lifters are not cordless phones compatible. As matter of fact these kind of cordless phones can be used with a corded headset that will be plugged in the side of the phone, typically a 2.5mm jack and those headsets usually cover one ear and the phone needs to be carry with the user all the time. One compatible headset will be coming from Jabra, the Jabra Biz 1500 Mono Cisco SPA headset will be compatible with any of those cordless desk phones and with bigger issues.
A lot of people might not like the idea of having a cord dangling from their cordless desk phone, for that, Plantronics created the TR-11 adapter. This adapter allows to use any Plantronics wireless headset such as the CS540 with your cordless desk phone. The way how to setup this adapter is by using a line splitter, that can be get locally at any electronic store, plug in the cordless desk phone on one and and the TR-11 and your Plantronics wireless headset on the other end. Then you can take the wireless headset with you and if the phone rings you would be able to answer the call by tapping the headset, you still can take your cordless phone with you if need to make calls out as well or if want to see who is calling using the ID caller if you count with this service.
When choosing a handset mechanical lifter needs to match the headset as those are not as mix and match, with that being said Plantronics will be compatible just with Plantronics, Jabra with Jabra and Sennheiser with Sennheiser.
The Plantronics HL 10 Handset Lifter is the well known unit from Plantronics and compatible with most of the desk phones with certain exemptions which will mention down later. HL 10 lifter is fully compatible with all Plantronics wireless headsets, including CS, Savi and Voyager families.
The lifter will be attached to the desk phone and needs to be located between the handset (receiver) and the speaker of the phone. The speaker has a built in ringer that will let the lifter know when a call is coming in and that way can tell the headset a call needs to be answered.
Note: If you have your old Plantronics wireless headset laying around and want to get the HL 10 lifter, make sure that you still have the Telephone interface cable. This cable is essential to make it work as it is required to plug in your Plantronics headset into the desk phone. If you lost yours or can’t find it, you can order it here.
Mitel desk phone users: The HL 10 lifter from Plantronics is not compatible with certain models of Mitel desk phones, included are the 5330, 5340 and the 5360, this due to the angle of the phone. However we have another alternative that will work for you!
The Jabra GN1000 RHL lifter is your ally here, this lifter is designed to work with any of the Jabra wireless headsets family such as the Pro 900s, Pro9400s, Engage for example.
As you can see here, the design of the lifter is on reverse when compared with the Plantronics case, so instead of picking up the handset from the top of the receiver with a lifting straight movement, it will be picking up from the top of the receiver but with a reverse lifting movement, that allows the handset to stay at its place and avoiding to drop the handset when trying to answer a call. We can say that the design of the lifter movement is a uppercut punch when compared as a jab punch in the Plantronics case and thanks to that uppercut move the handset remains in place.
And for last, but not least we have the Sennheiser HSL10II, this would be compatible with all the Sennheiser wireless headset systems, such as the IMPACT, Office Runner, SDW headsets. This last one has a similar design on the action/movement as the Jabra one, so this is another alternative for Mitel users that are not compatible with the Plantronics HL10 lifter. The arm of the HSL10II does the uppercut movement and thanks to that keeps the handset on its place thanks to the design of the arm.
Most of the newer VoIP desk phones have the built in Electronic Hook Switch capability, which means that they don’t need a mechanical lifter but a special cable that take place of the lifter, making it a more intuitive, less clunkier and more reliable remote answer option. Give a call if you don’t know which is the best option for your desk phone.
Barack and Michelle Obama met at a Chicago law firm where she was assigned to mentor him.
They wed in 1992, have two children, and spent eight years in the White House.
Michelle has been candid about rough patches during their 31-year marriage.
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Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on Tuesday.
“Happy anniversary, sweetheart! @MichelleObama, you’re brilliant, kind, funny, and beautiful — and I’m lucky to call you mine,” the former president wrote on Instagram.
The couple met in 1989 when Michelle was assigned to mentor Barack at a Chicago law firm. They wed in 1992.
Here’s a timeline of the former first couple’s relationship.
In August, home prices climbed a seasonally adjusted 0.68% from July, hitting a record high for the fourth consecutive month, per Black Knight.
Prices in nearly half the nation’s 50 largest markets climbed by 0.75% or more.
“Even on a non-adjusted basis, August’s gain of +0.24% was more than 60% larger than the 25-year average for the month.”
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Home prices climbed in August and hit a record for the fourth consecutive month, according to Black Knight data released Monday.
Compared to July, home prices were up in August a seasonally adjusted 0.68%, and prices climbed in nearly half of the nation’s 50 largest markets by 0.75% or more.
Nationally, prices are now 2.5% above the 2022 peak on a seasonally adjusted basis, Intercontinental Exchange data shows.
“After essentially flattening earlier this year, year-over-year home price growth has been reaccelerating for the last few months,” said ICE vice president of enterprise research, Andy Walden. “Even on a non-adjusted basis, August’s gain of +0.24% was more than 60% larger than the 25-year average for the month. Either way you look at it, the increase was sufficient to push annual appreciation up to a stronger-than-expected +3.8%.”
He added that August marked the third month of “clear acceleration” in home price growth at the national level.
There could be some reprieve in store for buyers this fall, though. According to Zillow, the housing market is actually showing signs of cooling in a rare moment of opportunity for buyers this year. The percentage of home listings that had a price cut jumped 9.2% in the week leading to September 16, the real estate firm said in a note Thursday.
“For determined buyers, with enough budget room to accommodate the recent jump in mortgage rates, this fall is looking more and more like a sweet spot: There are more motivated sellers and more active listings overall than any time since last December, improving buyers’ chance to find the right fit,” Zillow senior economist Jeff Tucker said.
While competition among homebuyers has kept prices elevated, high mortgage rates have also pushed many potential house hunters to the sidelines. Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 7.31%, per Freddie Mac, the highest level in over two decades.
Zillow economists have previously predicted home prices would steadily increase through the first half of next year, regardless of the current signs of cooling.
Russia is painting silhouettes of its valuable Tu-95 strategic bombers on the tarmac of an air base.
The decoys could be an attempt to confuse possible Ukrainian strikes, The War Zone reported.
But they are easy to spot even on commercially available satellite imagery.
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Russia is painting the silhouettes of its prized Tu-95MS strategic bombers at its main bomber base as a decoy, a report says.
Satellite imagery obtained by The War Zone shows the two-dimensional painted decoys on the tarmac of Engels-2, a strategic bomber base east of Saratov in Russia.
The War Zone noted that the pictured decoys might be made with a cloth or canvas, but it said paint was most likely given the lack of dimension seen in the images taken on September 29 by Planet Labs.
The newly pictured decoys appear to also have what looks like car tires depicted on them, suggesting that they have tried hard to make them appear realistic.
The Engels air base has come under attack several times since the conflict in Ukraine began, despite being deep in Russian territory, hundreds of miles southeast of Moscow.
Russia blamed the attacks on Ukraine, but Kyiv did not claim them, keeping in line with its policy to not claim attacks on Russian soil.
The decoy paintings at Engels-2 could be aimed at confusing any possible Ukrainian strike operations or drone operators.
However, The War Zone notes that they are unlikely to be effective, given that it is easy to spot as fake even in commercially available satellite imagery.
The use of infrared reflective or absorptive paints could confuse weapons like cruise missiles, but it’s unclear how effective the two-dimensional decoys will be, the outlet said.
Decoys can be highly effective
Side-by-side photos of a real Russian T-72 tank on the battlefield in August 2023, and a decoy one in September 2023.
116th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine/110th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine/Insider
They are mainly used to trick enemy forces into wasting ammo and potentially giving away their position. They are also a lot cheaper than real tanks and can be transported quickly, he said
As a beginner, it can be difficult to navigate Facebook’s basic features
There are also hidden hacks to make the flow of information easier to manage.
From notification management to data conservation to saving favorites, Facebook offers lots of ways to customize.
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Over three billion people — almost 40% of the world’s population — are active on Facebook every month, the company said during the second-quarter 2023 Meta earnings results announcement.
Whether you’re finding the latest news or trying to stay in touch with friends, checking Facebook can become an addictive habit.
We’ve collected some of the best tips and tricks you may not know about — from hiding people you don’t want to see on Facebook to managing notifications.
1. Save posts
See something interesting in your News Feed but don’t have time to look at it now? You can save it for later.
Click the three dots next to any post and hit “Save post.”
Your bookmarked links, videos, photos, places, and more are accessible from the “Saved” page on your Facebook profile. The page is included under the “Menu” tab in the Facebook mobile app.
2. Turn off auto-playing videos in your News Feed.
If you don’t want videos on Facebook automatically playing when you scroll past them in your News Feed, make sure to turn the setting off.
Under Menu tab on the righthand side of the Facebook mobile app, tap Settings & Privacy, and then under Preferences, select “Media.” From there, under Autoplay, you can choose to auto-play videos over cellular and Wi-Fi connections, just Wi-Fi, or never.
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3. Unfollow people without unfriending them
If you want to stop seeing someone’s posts in your News Feed but don’t have the guts to completely unfriend them, you can unfollow them to hide their activity.
From someone’s profile in the Facebook mobile app, tap on “Friends” under their profile picture and then “Unfollow” to get rid of their posts completely. You can also tap the three dots next to a post and select “Unfollow” or “Snooze,” which will temporarily Unfollow the person for 30 days.
You can do this for multiple people in the Settings section of Facebook, under News Feed Preferences.
4. See your Facebook activity on the same day from years past.
Facebook’s “On This Day” feature shows your activity on its social network on the same day from years past. Think of it like your personal time capsule on Facebook.
Only you see your “On This Day” activity, and you can find the feature from the link facebook.com/memories. Facebook also lets you hide certain people from showing up in your past activity, which is helpful for not seeing memories of your ex. You can also hide certain dates, or choose whether Facebook sends you notifications of all memories, highlights, or none at all.
5. Activity Log
Your Activity Log shows everything you’ve liked, shared, and commented on in the past. Tap the Menu tab, then tap your name. Under your name on your profile, next to “Edit Profile,” tap the three dots and select “Activity Log.”
You can also go to the Menu tab, under Settings, scroll to “Your Activity” to find the Activity Log.
Your Activity Log on Facebook documents all of your activity on the social network. It’s easily accessible on your profile from both the mobile app and desktop site.
6. Favorites
If there are certain people or pages you want to see first in your News Feed no matter what, you can select them in the Facebook mobile app.
Tap “Settings” under the app’s Menu tab and then “News Feed Preferences” to get started.
People and pages you’ve marked to see first will have a little blue star next to their posts in your feed.
7. Tell people how to pronounce your name correctly.
Sick of people pronouncing your name wrong? You can teach them on Facebook.
In the app on your profile, tap “Edit Profile,” then at the bottom, tap “Edit Your About Info.” Scroll below “Basic Info.” You can also add a nickname or maiden name for yourself to display with your profile.
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8. Friend vs. Follower
There are two ways you can connect with someone on Facebook: by becoming friends with them or by following them.
Being friends means that you and the other person have approved the connection and likely know each other, while following an account means that the person hasn’t added you back as a friend.
When someone follows you, they’ll only see posts you share publicly. You can turn off the ability for people to follow your account at any time from the “Followers” section of your account settings.
9. Post-specific privacy options
Your Facebook posts can be shared with your friends, specific friends, or anyone on the Internet.
You can select these sharing options on a case-by-case from the drop-down menu at the top right of a post. On the mobile app, select “Edit Privacy” and select one of the options. From the desktop, just click the little friends or globe icon next to a post’s time stamp.
If you want everyone except a few people to see a post, you can choose to hide it from specific people by selecting “Friends except…” on the mobile app and “Custom” on the desktop. If you’ve created Friend Lists on Facebook, you can also hide posts from entire lists.
If you’ve tagged people in the post, you can also choose whether their friends can see it.
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10. See what your profile looks like to others
This is handy for seeing what on your profile is visible to others, including individual friends you may have hidden certain information from in the past.
On the app, go to your profile, click the ellipsis next to “Edit Profile,” and then “View as…” You can type in any name, from friends to non-friends, to see what your profile looks like to them.
11. Hide your list of friends from everyone but you.
If, for some reason, you don’t want people seeing who you’re friends with, you can hide the list entirely.
On the desktop, click the “Friends” tab on your profile, then next to “Find Friends,” click the ellipses and then “Edit Privacy.” Then, you can change who can see your friends list, the people you follow, and your followers.
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12. Hide your relationship status change from your friends.
It could be potentially disastrous for your Facebook friends to see your relationship status change. The good news is that you can prevent relationship changes from being seen by anyone except you. This means the change won’t appear in your friends’ News Feeds.
In the app on your profile, tap “Edit Profile,” then at the bottom, tap “Edit Your About Info.” Scroll down to “Relationship,” change the privacy filter to “Only Me.”
13. Block people from being able to contact you.
If someone is spamming you with messages or you just want to ensure they can’t see your profile, go to their profile page and click on the three dots to the far right. Select “Block.”
14. See everywhere you’re logged into Facebook and remotely log out.
From the Facebook mobile app, tap the far right Menu tab, then Settings, Accounts Center, Password & Security, and finally, “Where You’re Logged In.” You’ll see all your Meta accounts. You can open details for each session and log out of Facebook if you like.
From your Security Settings on Facebook’s desktop site, the “Where You’re Logged In” menu shows active logins and lets you end them.
15. Get alerted whenever a log-in attempt is made for your account.
Facebook Login Alerts and Login Approvals can be enabled under Security Settings in the mobile app and desktop site.
From the Facebook mobile app, tap the far right Menu tab, then Settings, Accounts Center, Password & Security, and under Security Checks, “Login Alerts.”
You can choose to get in-app notifications or email whenever a login is made to your Meta accounts. Login Approvals mean that you must enter a secondary code sent to your phone before logging in to Facebook on a new device.
16. Unsubscribe from notifications for posts you’ve commented on.
We’ve all probably commented on a post and regretted it later because of the onslaught of notifications that followed from other people commenting.
You may not know that you can unsubscribe from activity on any post, which could be a godsend next time you decide to comment on a friend’s politically charged opinion.
When you get a notification for a comment or like on a post on Facebook’s desktop site, click the “X” to the right of the notification and then “Turn off.”
The reverse is also true. You can turn on notifications for activity on any post from the right drop-down arrow.
17. Get a notification every time a specific person posts something.
If you want to keep tabs on someone’s Facebook activity, you can get alerted whenever they share something. Just add them to your Close Friends list. To do that, go to the Friend’s profile, tap “Friends” and “Edit Friend Lists.”
18. Search for posts and photos liked or commented on by you
You can search for posts you’ve either created, liked or commented on with certain search phrases.
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You can even get specific and look for things just from today. You can also look for all posts liked by your friends.
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19. Search for specific keywords and topics
Facebook lets you search for a lot more than just other people’s profiles.
Everything that’s publicly shared on the social network is searchable, which means that if you search for something like “James Bond” or “iPhone help,” you’ll see related posts from news sources, friends, and other pages.
20. Make Friend lists
Designating groups within your list of friends can be useful for filtering what everyone is talking about in your News Feed. For instance, you may want to see what everyone from your hometown is sharing or just your friends from college.
Facebook creates a list of friends by default based on common affiliation, whether it be the same hometown, school, etc. On Facebook’s desktop site, you can see all of your friend lists at facebook.com/bookmarks/lists and add people to them. This creates individual News Feeds within Facebook for you to browse.
21. Give yourself a short bio.
Facebook lets you create a short bio for yourself that sits above your other profile information, such as city, work, and relationship status.
You can edit it anytime from your profile on the desktop site and mobile app.
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22. Download all your data
On the Menu tab under the Settings gear, scroll to “Your Information,” where you can tap “Download Your Information.” You can now also “Transfer Your Information” in the same section – with easy options to transfer to popular services like Dropbox or Google Photos.
Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
If you’ve started a new business, a business checking account may be worth considering. Business checking accounts can help separate your business finances from your personal finances.
We reviewed over a dozen financial institutions to find the best business checking accounts with no monthly bank maintenance fees. These institutions have stayed as our top picks for the last few months because they continue to stand out for their minimal bank fees and unique perks.
FEATURED OFFER: CHOOSE SMARTER BUSINESS BANKING BY SEPTEMBER 30 AND ENJOY UP TO $200.* JUST USE PROMO CODE NEWSBC ON YOUR APPLICATION.
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.25/5
Perks
Earn up to $200 welcome bonus with promo code NEWSBC for qualifying business owners
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No monthly service fees
No minimum opening deposit
Unlimited transactions
Unlimited refunds on domestic out-of-network ATM fees
You may qualify for up to $200 bonus
Compatible with QuickBooks
2 free domestic wire transfers per month
Cons
No physical branches
$50 international outgoing wire transfer fee
Product Details
Business owners get up to $200 welcome bonus!*
Choose smarter business banking by September 30 and enjoy up to $200.*
Just use promo code NEWSBC on your application.
Zero opening deposit and cash deposits accepted
Zero minimum monthly balance requirements
Two domestic wire reimbursements monthly
Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Enhanced Visa benefits and first 50 checks free
Dedicated relationship manager and more
Best Business Checking Accounts
If you’re looking for a personal checking account, you might consider going through our best checking accounts guide.
Compare the Best Business Checking Accounts
Best free business checking account overall
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.25/5
Perks
Earn up to $200 welcome bonus with promo code NEWSBC for qualifying business owners
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No monthly service fees
No minimum opening deposit
Unlimited transactions
Unlimited refunds on domestic out-of-network ATM fees
You may qualify for up to $200 bonus
Compatible with QuickBooks
2 free domestic wire transfers per month
Cons
No physical branches
$50 international outgoing wire transfer fee
Product Details
Business owners get up to $200 welcome bonus!*
Choose smarter business banking by September 30 and enjoy up to $200.*
Just use promo code NEWSBC on your application.
Zero opening deposit and cash deposits accepted
Zero minimum monthly balance requirements
Two domestic wire reimbursements monthly
Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Enhanced Visa benefits and first 50 checks free
Dedicated relationship manager and more
Best free business checking account for earning interest
BlueVine Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.25/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
2.00%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No minimum opening balance
No monthly service fees
Unlimited monthly transactions
Earn competitive interest rate on balances up to $250,000
No non-sufficient funds fees
No out-of-network ATM fees
No incoming wire transfer fees
Ability to deposit cash
Cons
No physical branches
Doesn’t reimburse any fees charged by out-of-network ATMs
$4.95 fee for cash deposits at Green Dot locations
$15 outgoing wire transfer fee
$2.50 out-of-network ATM fee
Product Details
Earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $250,000 if you meet one of the following requirements: Spend $500 using your BlueVine debit card per month OR receive customer payments of $2,500 or more per month
Deposits are FDIC insured through Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC
Best free business checking account for a traditional brick-and-mortar bank experience
Citizens Bank Clearly Better Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.25/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No minimum opening deposit
No monthly service fees
200 transactions per month
Overdraft savings transfer and overdraft line of credit
Cons
$0.50 fee per transaction after monthly 200 limit
$3 out-of-network ATM fee
No free incoming or outgoing wire transfer fees
Product Details
Over 1,000 branches in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, DC
Over 3,100 ATMs
200 free monthly deposits and withdrawals; after that, $0.50 per transaction
FDIC insured
BEST FREE BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT FOR AN ONLINE-ONLY BANKING EXPERIENCE
Live Oak Bank Small Business Checking
Insider’s Rating
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Deposit Amount
$100
Pros
$100 minimum opening deposit
No monthly service fee
No incoming wire transfer fees
No overdraft fees
No out-of-network ATM fees
Cons
Cannot deposit cash
$19 outgoing wire transfer fee
Doesn’t refund ATM fees from an out-of-network ATM provider
Product Details
Access to over 55,000 ATMs in the Allpoint ATM network
FDIC insured
Best free business checking account for domestic wire transfers
NBKC Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.5/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No minimum opening deposit
No monthly service fees
Unlimited free monthly transactions
No overdraft or nonsufficient funds fees
No incoming domestic wire transfer fees
Refunds up to $12 per month in fees charged by out-of-network ATMs
Deposit cash at ATMs
Cons
Only physical branch locations are in Kansas City, MO
$5 outgoing wire transfer fee
$45 incoming international wire transfer fee
Product Details
Online bank with branches in Kansas City, MO
37,000+ free ATMs in the MoneyPass network
No out-of-network ATM fees; if an ATM provider charges you, NBKC reimburses up to $12 per month
FDIC insured
Best free business checking account for ATM reimbursements
Novo Business Checking Account
Insider’s Rating
4.5/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Pros
No minimum opening deposit
No monthly service fees
Unlimited free monthly transactions
No incoming domestic or international wire transfer fees
May send international wire transfers through Wise
Connect Novo to tools such as QuickBooks, Slack, and TransferWise
Refunds all ATM fees
Cons
No physical locations
No way to deposit cash
Can’t send domestic wire transfers
Product Details
Link to QuickBooks, Shopify, Slack, Xero, TransferWise, Zapier, and Stripe
Send international wire transfers with low fees through Wise; Use the “Integrations” tab of the Novo app
No ATM network, but refunds all fees charged by ATM providers
Deposits are FDIC insured through partner bank, Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A.
Insider’s Featured Checking Accounts
Best Free Business Checking Accounts FAQs
A business checking account allows you to manage everyday expenses through a bank account. The US Small Business Administration recommends opening a business bank account once you’re set to make business expenses or income.
To choose a business checking account, ask yourself whether you want to bank online or in person. Then figure out how many transactions your business will need to make each month and find a bank that allows that number of free transactions. You should also think about how much you’ll need to deposit in cash every month and whether you’ll need to make wire transfers.
Yes, you can use a personal checking account for your business — but doing so comes with complications. Your personal name rather than your business name will appear on checks, and you may find it difficult to separate personal and business spending. It could also be tricky when tax season rolls around and you need to prove business-related purchases. If you are starting your own business, the IRS recommends getting a separate checking account specifically for managing business finances.
You’ll probably need the following documents to open an account: an employer identification number (or social security number if the business is a sole proprietorship), business license, formation documents, and an owners agreement.
It depends on the type of business you have. You’ll need an EIN to open a business account if you aren’t the only person in charge of your business. Sole proprietors may use their social security number instead of an EIN.
Learn more the best free business checking accounts
The Axos Bank Basic Business Checking Account is a well-rounded option. It has a large ATM network, and if you use an out-of-network machine, Axos refunds all fees charged by an ATM provider. You may also be eligible for a cash bonus of up to $200 if you meet certain requirements.
Max. monthly transactions: Unlimited
Minimum opening deposit: $0
What to look out for: There’s a $50 international wire transfer fee. However, most banks charge a similar international wire transfer fee.
Best Free Business Checking Account for Earning Interest
The BlueVine Business Checking Account lets you open an account with $0. You’ll earn 2.00% APY on balances up to $250,000 if you meet certain requirements. This sets the account apart from the others on our list, which don’t pay interest at all. It is also one of the few online business checking accounts that give you a way to deposit cash.
Max. monthly transactions: Unlimited
Minimum opening deposit: $0
What to look out for: BlueVine doesn’t have physical locations, so you might not have easy access to your account. You also won’t earn any interest on balances over $250,000.
Best Free Business Checking Account From a Brick-and-Mortar Bank
Citizens Bank has more than 1,000 branches and 3,100 ATMs along the East Coast.
Max. monthly transactions: 200
Minimum opening deposit: $0
What to look out for: You’ll pay $3 each time you use a non-Citizens Bank ATM, plus any fee charged by the ATM provider. Citizens Bank only has branches in 14 states and Washington, DC, so this could be a problem if you frequently travel to other parts of the US.
Best Free Business Checking Account for an Online-Only Banking Experience
You might like Live Oak Bank Small Business Checking if you’re comfortable with online-only banking. This business checking account doesn’t charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or incoming wire transfer fees.
Max. monthly transactions: Unlimited
Minimum opening deposit: $100
What to look out for:Live Oak Bank doesn’t accept cash deposits. You’ll need to transfer money from an external bank account to deposit funds.
Best Free Business Checking Account for Domestic Wire Transfers
The NBKC Business Checking Account account gives you a lot of freedom. There’s no minimum opening deposit, monthly service fees, or overdraft fees. NBKC also is a great option for avoiding domestic wire transfer fees. You won’t charge for incoming domestic wire transfers, and there’s a low fee for outgoing domestic wire transfers.
If you use a non-MoneyPass ATM and the ATM provider charges a fee, NBKC reimburses you up to $12 per month.
Max. monthly transactions: Unlimited
Minimum opening deposit: $0
What to look out for: This is primarily an online account, but there are branches in Kansas City, Missouri. So if you want in-person banking, you’ll need to look elsewhere unless you live in Kansas City. NBKC also only gives business loans to people in the Kansas City area.
Best Free Business Checking Account for ATM Reimbursements
The Novo Business Checking Account does not have an ATM network, but if an ATM provider charges you a fee, Novo will refund you. It also features management tools such as Slack, QuickBooks, and Shopify.
Max. monthly transactions: Unlimited
Minimum opening deposit: $0
What to look out for: You won’t be able to send domestic wire transfers through your Novo account. You can make free ACH transfers, although these may take a couple more days to process than wire transfers would. Novo is also an online-only platform so you’ll have limited access to your account.
Other Business Checking Accounts We Considered
We looked at multiple business checking accounts before selecting our favorites. Many were strong contenders, and you still may prefer one that isn’t on our list, depending on what you’re looking for. Here are some other options:
First Horizon Bank BizEssentials Checking Account: First Horizon Bank has a free business checking account, but it’s only available in 12 states. You’ll need at least $100 for a minimum opening deposit, and you may have to deal with typical bank fees for domestic wire transfers.
Bank OZK Small Business Checking Account: Bank OZK (previously Bank of the Ozarks) is a good option if you want a brick-and-mortar experience, but it only has locations in eight US states.
Huntington Bank Business Checking 100: Huntington Bank doesn’t charge monthly service fees, but it only offers 100 free transactions. Our top picks allow you to make at least 25o transactions without paying a fee.
OneUnited UNITY Small Business: This is a good option by the largest Black-owned bank in the US, but you can only open a business account at a branch in Southern California, Miami, or Boston.
Navy Federal Credit Union Business Checking: This is a good option if your family or housemate is associated with the military, or if you are a Department of Defense contractor or civilian personnel. But you can only make 30 free non-digital transactions every month.
Bank of America Business Fundamentals Checking: Unless you qualify to waive monthly fees, you’ll pay $16 each month. You might like this account if you prioritize getting a bank account bonus on a business checking account, though. New business checking account customers may be eligible for a $200 cash bonus when you deposit $5,000 or more in new money within 30 days and maintain an average of $5,000 for the next 60 days (offer ends December 31, 2023) and is available online only.
The Better Business Bureau grades companies based on responses to customer complaints, advertising, and transparency about business practices. Here are the BBB scores for our top picks:
Most of the companies on our list have received strong scores from the BBB. According to the BBB, Novo has an F grade because it received multiple customer complaints on the BBB website and had government action taken against the business.
Citizens Bank has an NR (No Rating) grade because the BBB is in the process of reviewing its profile. Live Oak Bank has an A rating because its received three customer complaints on the BBB website.
Some of these companies have recent public controversies.
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Citizens Bank and claimed that the bank denied customers’ claims of unauthorized credit card use and billing mistakes, didn’t fully refund customers when they reported fraud, and didn’t properly respond to customers when they contacted Citizens Bank about these issues.
Novo has also been involved in one recent public controversy: The platform used the URL “banknovo.com” and the word”banking,” but Novo isn’t licensed as a bank. Novo is a banking platform and is insured by a bank. In 2022, it received a cease and desist order from the California Department of Financial Protection specifying it would no longer use these terms and add a disclosure that Novo is not a bank.
In 2021, Live Oak Bank and digital banking platform Apiture agreed to pay $4.65 million in a settlement that accused Live Oak Bank, Apiture, and nCino of having an agreement where they would not hire employees from other companies in Wilmington, North Carolina so the three banking companies could avoid offering competitive salaries.
If these recent scandals worry you, you may decide to bank with one of our other top picks.
Why You Should Trust Us: Experts’ Advice on Choosing a Business Checking Account
To learn more about what makes a good account and how to choose the best fit, four experts weighed in.
Insider
Our experts focused on what will make a business checking account the most useful, including low fees, transaction limits, branch locations, and more. Here’s what they had to say about finding an account. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
How can someone choose the business checking account that’s right for them?
Tania Brown, certified financial planner at SaverLife:
“Consider how you will use the bank account, and what features the account needs to have for you to run your business with ease. Here are a few examples of questions to think about:
“How much is your average account balance? If you are new and broke, you may not see the benefits of a business checking account with free services for balances over $100k.
“What types of transactions do you do the most? Do you write a lot of checks or do a lot of wire transfers? Whatever transactions you do the most, you want to make sure you choose a bank that will charge the least (preferably nothing) for these services.
“Do you want to be able to integrate your accounting software with your bank? If you, check your accounting software program to see how easily the program integrates with your potential bank.”
“Someone may want to consider whether they value having a physical branch nearby. If so, they may prefer to use a brick-and-mortar bank instead of an online bank. In addition, someone should also consider their business’s other financial needs. Down the road, would they want to be able to work with the same bank to open a business credit card, open a line of credit, or get a business loan?”
What should someone look for in a brick-and-mortar bank?
“How accessible it is. Where are the branches? And if I am to go out of town or something, how accessible is my money to me?”
Sophia Acevedo, certified educator in personal finance, banking reporter, Personal Finance Insider:
“If you’re more comfortable with a traditional bank experience, I would compare several nearby banks and see which accounts allow you to waive most fees. For example, with a business checking account, I would pay attention to monthly service fees, out-of-network ATM fees, and wire transfer fees.”
What should someone look for in an online bank?
Tania Brown, CFP:
“With an online bank, absolutely online customer service, because you do not have the advantage of walking inside and talking to a human being. How often are you able to get them? What are their hours?”
Mykail James, CFEI:
“What type of securities do they provide? Do they have two-factor identification? If it’s an online bank, they should definitely have — at the bare minimum — two-factor authentication in how easy it is to change your passwords and things like that, because you want to be a little more hypersensitive about the cyber security for a strictly online bank.”
Our Methodology on the Best Free Business Checking Accounts
Personal Finance Insider’s mission is to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that “best” is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product or account — a high APY (Annual Percentage Yield), for example — we outline the limitations, too. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various products so you don’t have to.
We reviewed over a dozen financial institutions before selecting our top picks for free business checking. First, we looked at accounts that are actually free, meaning they don’t charge any monthly service fees.
Then we looked at the minimum amount you need to open the account. We looked at how many free transactions you can make each month with an account. All our top choices let you make at least 250 monthly transactions, and many offer unlimited transactions.
Evelyn He is a compliance associate at Insider who supports the Personal Finance Insider team. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that Insider readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Before joining Insider, she served in various legal and compliance roles in different industries, including the legal and pharmaceutical industries. Evelyn obtained her M.S. degree in Marketing at Boston University in 2022. Prior to combining and consolidating her knowledge of law and business, she spent one year finishing 1L courses at Suffolk University Law School to further her legal knowledge. She has also completed MBA business law courses while working on her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 14-year-old Shih Tzu named Money, and her 5-year-old Bichon named Tibber.
Earn up to a $250 bonus with qualifying direct deposits for eligible customers through 12/31/2023. Earn up to 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) with direct deposit
Trump and his three eldest children must defend the family business in open court in NYC next month.
They are among 25 witnesses attorney general Letitia James will call in a $250 million fraud trial.
Whether the trial starts Monday, as scheduled, is in the hands of a Manhattan appeals panel.
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New York’s $250 million fraud trial against Donald Trump and his real-estate empire will force four Trumps to the witness stand in the coming weeks, starting with Ivanka Trump and followed, toward its end, by the former president and his two eldest sons, a new witness list reveals.
State Attorney General Letitia James’ final list of “Witnesses to be Called” in her case against the Trump Organization was filed late Thursday morning.
The non-jury trial is scheduled to begin in Manhattan on Monday, but that date remains up in the air until an appellate panel rules on Trump’s request that the case be shrunk, pre-trial, on statute-of-limitation grounds.
Ivanka Trump, a former executive vice president at the Trump Organization through 2016, is in the attorney general’s number 14 witness slot and will testify first out of all the Trumps.
The former president’s eldest daughter, an original plaintiff of the lawsuit, was released from the case after an appeals court found the claims against her were too old.
Now, she must testify against her father and brothers Donald Trump, Jr., and Eric Trump, who all remain as plaintiffs.
Ivanka Trump negotiated financing for the company before leaving for Washington, DC, with her father in 2017. The AG had accused her of causing misleading financial statements to be submitted to Deutsche Bank, Trump Org’s biggest lender, and to the federal government in connection with Trump’s development of the Old Post Office building in Washington.
The list shows that the state’s first scheduled witness will be Donald Bender, Trump’s former top accountant. Bender is a partner at Mazars USA, the firm that, in the wake of James’ fraud allegations, announced in February that it could no longer stand by the accuracy of a decade of financial statements prepared for Trump.
Also among the earliest planned witnesses is Trump’s fixer-turned-foe, Michael Cohen. The former Trump personal attorney drew the number six witness slot.
James has credited Cohen’s testimony with sparking the three-year investigation that led her to file the fraud lawsuit at the center of the upcoming trial.
There are 25 witnesses in all on James’ list, including Trump corporate employees, lenders, insurers and appraisers, all compelled by subpoena to testify.
Trump’s list of witnesses to call at trial, also filed Thursday, has 127 witnesses on it, though these are listed in alphabetical, not sequential, order.
The list indicates that on their direct defense case, they, too, intend to call Donald Trump and Eric Trump, who continues to manage the Trump Organization. They do not list Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump, Jr., as witnesses.
In a blockbuster ruling Tuesday, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron found that the AG has already proven her lawsuit’s central allegation – that Donald Trump annual financial statements to banks and insurers fraudulently exaggerated his worth by as much as $3.6 billion a year.
The upcoming trial will determine monetary penalties, and whether Trump and his two eldest sons will be forever banned from running a business in New York state, as James has requested.
The trial will determine whether the other defendants, including Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr., a Trump Org executive vice president and trustee, are also liable for fraud.
It will also determine if the plaintiffs are liable for specific violations of state law, including falsification of business records, issuing false financial statements, and insurance fraud.
Jabra had done it again by raising the bar higher. The new Evolve2 55 wireless headset is the best solution available for the new norm of Hybrid work without compromising performance and not breaking the bank, and today we will compare it against other alternatives in the market.
The new Evolve2 55 wireless headset is designed to be the new entry wireless headset from Jabra, but compared with another headsets in the market the Evolve2 55 offers something the others don’t and that is Active Noise Canceling at an approachable price point. This feature is strongly useful for really loud environments for Remote workers or Hybrid workers as it helps to keep focus on the call without annoying distractions from the surroundings. The new and improved fit offers the Jabra Air Comfort technology which is greatly appreciated when using a headset all day long.
The new headband design offers more comfort to the user as it now can be adjusted not only on the sides, but on the top as well, thanks to its cushioned headband full of ultra-soft perforated foam layers provides ultra comfort to the user.
Thanks to its new design on the flexible rotating earcups, relieve pressure to the user, giving an out-of-the world comfort, besides that helps to storage the headset easier in small spaces such as backpacks or carrying cases.
The Evolve2 55 offers a microphone boom arm with noise-cancellation microphone technology that includes a smart chipset that powers the speech recognition on the microphone and separating it from the background noise, with this the other end of the call gets the most professional sound quality no matter where you are located. The added built in busy lights are noticeable from the distance and automatically turn on when in a call so you can people know when are on either a call or meeting.
The Jabra Evolve2 55 is certified for all mayor UC platforms included among, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet to mention a few. Thanks to its voice over USB feature the Evolve2 55 headset can be used as a corded headset thanks to its USB corded included, just in case if you forgot your Link 380 dongle and in need to jump into a meeting in a rush.
After mentioning all the features of the new Evovle2 55 headset will compare it against the closest competition.
The first thing we will notice here is the size of the headset, as the ear cups are slightly bigger 40mm versus 28mm, headband is thicker as the headband has memory foam surrounding the band. We will notice the slightly higher price as this was the main headset that started all the new Evolve2 family. Similar as the Evolve2 55 offers the voice over USB feature and offers fast charging as well making it a great contender, however the lack of the Active Noise Canceling tries to compensate for the size of the earcups.
B. Evolve2 75.
Here is the bigger sibling of the Evolve2 family, the Evolve2 75 differs by a bigger price difference, however you can see that this 40mm earcups offers the Jabra Advanced Active Noise Cancellation that offers different levels of adjustment. The boom arm can be easily stored away on its designed hide away place and thanks to this the Evolve2 75 can be used as a boom less mic headset thanks to its Discrete Mode and Open Office certified microphones. The advanced ANC and boom less feature compensates the price versus the Evolve2 55, mix of soft and harder memory foam are found in the earcups.
Poly offers the Focus 2 as an alternative, price point speaking its a close call. The Focus 2 offers Digital Hybrid technology with deferent levels of graduation, Acoustic Fence Technology in the boom arm and offers a comfortable headband similar as the Evolve2 55. This headset can be used not only for the computer and cell phone, but with your desk phone at the office as well, as long as you get the optional Office Base. On the downhill part of this, the Focus 2 offers a micro USB charging and voice over USB instead of a USB-C, and the built in busy light only lights on 1 side and can’t be as easy to notice as the Evolve2 55.
Our experts answer readers’ personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess personal loans). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
When shopping for a personal loan, most borrowers make the interest rate their top priority. The lower the interest rate, the less the total cost of the loan will be. While other factors like fees and term lengths also are important when when selecting a lender, interest rates are critical in making your final choice.
Best Low-Interest Personal Loans
LightStream Personal Loan: Best for maximum loan amounts
Discover Personal Loan: Best for money-back guarantee
American Express Personal Loan: Best for low minimum APR
Upstart Personal Loan: Best for low credit scores
Wells Fargo Personal Loan: Best from a brick-and-mortar lender
Reach Financial Personal Loan: Best for debt consolidation
The best personal loans with low interest rates have a minimum rate below 8%, which is reflected in our list of top picks. Keep in mind that you’ll only qualify for the lowest personal loan rates if you have an excellent credit score.
Compare the Best Loans With Low Interest Rates
LightStream Personal Loan
Insider’s Rating
4.75/5
Perks
0.50% discount on regular rates with AutoPay
Regular APR
7.99% to 25.49% (with AutoPay discount, rates vary by loan purpose)
Loan Amount Range
$5,000 to $100,000
Pros
Competitive APR
Approval decisions should come shortly after applying
Loans can be funded the same day
Wide range of borrowing amounts and terms
No fees
Cons
Only available to people with good credit
No pre-approval option
Product Details
Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000
Loan term lengths range from 2 to 12 years
Apply online and you’ll receive a response shortly during business hours.
Compare rates from participating lenders via Fiona.
Insider’s Rating
3.5/5
Regular APR
5.91% to 17.97%
Loan Amount Range
$3,500 to $40,000
Minimum Credit Score
Undisclosed
Pros
No prepayment penalties or origination fees
Low starting APR
Funds available quickly
Ability to prequalify for a loan
Cons
Limited repayment term lengths
High minimum loan amount
Must be a card member to apply
Hefty late fee
Product Details
Loan term lengths range from 1 to 3 years
Receive your funds as soon as the next day
Upstart Personal Loan
Insider’s Rating
3.25/5
Perks
You can prepay your loan at any time with no fee or penalty
Regular APR
4.60% to 35.99%
Loan Amount Range
$1,000 to $50,000 (borrowers in four states are subject to higher minimum loan amounts: Massachusetts: $7,000, Ohio: $6,000, New Mexico: $5,100, Georgia: $3,100)
Pros
Small minimum loan amounts
No prepayment penalty
Quick loan fund disbursement
Cons
Only three and five year terms
Potential for high origination fees
Product Details
Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000. However, borrowers in four states are subject to higher minimum loan amounts: Massachusetts: $7,000, Ohio: $6,000, New Mexico: $5,100, Georgia: $3,100
Loan term lengths are either 3 or 5 years
Can have origination fees up to 8%
Considers employment and education history when making loan approval decisions
Loans are made through one of several Upstart-powered bank partners
Wells Fargo Personal Loan
Insider’s Rating
3/5
Perks
Relationship discount of 0.25%
Regular APR
7.49% to 23.74% (with relationship discount)
Loan Amount Range
$3,000 to $100,000
Minimum Credit Score
Undisclosed
Pros
Large maximum loan amounts
Discounts for current customers
Established brick-and-mortar lender
No origination fee or prepayment penalty
Cons
Significant late fees
History of mismanaging customer information
No online applications for non-customers
Product Details
Loan amounts range from $3,000 to $100,000
Term lengths range from 1 to 7 years
Rate discounts to customers who have a checking account with the bank and who make their loan payments automatically through that account
Non-customers must apply by visiting a branch and talking with a banker
Compare rates from participating lenders via Fiona.
Insider’s Rating
3/5
Regular APR
6.99% to 35.99%
Loan Amount Range
$2,000 to $50,000
Pros
Able to add coborrower
Offers loans for a variety of uses
Cons
Many requirements to qualify
Prosper may not find an investor for your loan
Origination and late fee
Product Details
Loan amounts range from $2,000 to $40,000
Loan term lengths are either three or five years
Origination fee between 1% to 5%, depending on your financial situation
Late fees are 5% of the payment amount or $15, whichever is greater
Loans made by Prosper Funding LLC
Low-Interest Loan Frequently Asked Questions
Personal loan interest rates can be from around 5% to 32%, so a good rate would be one the lower end of that range. The interest rate on a personal loan that you qualify for will depend on variety of factors, including the term of the loan and your credit score.
Generally, the best way to get the lowest personal loan rates is to have an excellent credit score. While you can’t dramatically improve your credit score overnight, you can start by making sure you pay your bills on time and in full. Additionally, you can reduce your credit utilization ratio, or the amount of credit you’re using divided by the total credit available to you.
The lenders we have on our list are a great place to start looking for a low-interest loan. We’ve compiled lenders with the lowest minimum rates on the market, so you’ll likely find the best deals here — provided you have a great credit score.
Best Low-Interest Loan Company Reviews
LightStream Personal Loan
LightStream lends amounts of as much as $100,000 for borrowers looking to find large expenses with a loan that has low interest rates. The company offers same-day funding if the application is approved, verified, and signed before 2:30 p.m. ET.
LightStream also has a wide range of repayment term lengths, from two to 12 years. This is great if you’re looking to spread out the cost of your loan over a long period.
Watch out for: Lightstream doesn’t have preapproval. Borrowers looking for low-interest loans like to shop around to compare rates. Usually, this involves getting preapproved by several different companies and comparing the offers before settling on one. LightStream doesn’t offer preapprovals for its personal loans. You’ll have to go through the full approval process. That includes a hard pull of your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
Discover personal loans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, differentiating them from competitors. If you decide within 30 days of getting your loan that you don’t want it anymore, you may return the funds via check and won’t be charged any interest. This may be helpful if you find a lender with a lower interest rate or if you end up not needing the loan amount you initially requested.
Discover also has repayment terms ranging from three to seven years, so you have options if you want to spread out the cost of your loan. You’re also able to pay off your loan early at any time without a fee.
Watch out for: Hefty late fee. Discover charges up to $39 in late fees. If you fall behind on your payments, those fees will increase the overall cost of your loan. Some other lenders on our list don’t charge any fees.
American Express has some of the lowest minimum APRs available. If you have an excellent credit score and can qualify for the lowest interest rate, this could be a great lender for you.
The company also gets you funds quickly. Borrowers will usually get their money within one to two business days after loan approval.
Watch out for: Eligibility requirements. To get a personal loan with American Express, you need to be a card member. You need a relationship with the company outside of your personal loan, which may be an added step you prefer to avoid.
Upstart has low interest rates and can get you your money faster than many other lenders. You may be able to get your loan proceeds as soon as the day after you apply.
Upstart’s minimum credit score is 300. If you have a poor credit history, it may be easier to qualify for a loan with low rates from this lender than with some of the others on our list. Keep in mind that you’ll usually be charged a higher interest rate with a lower credit score.
Watch out for: High origination fees. Upstart’s personal loans can have origination fees up to 8%. On a $5,000 loan, for example, that would work out to an origination fee of $400.
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the country, with roughly 4,700 locations in 36 states. Borrowers looking for a low-interest personal loan who prefer face-to-face interactions will find ample opportunities to connect with a Wells Fargo representative. States where branches aren’t available are Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
Wells Fargo also has a high maximum loan limit of $100,000, which is perfect for borrowers who need to finance a large purchase.
Watch out for: History of controversies. Wells Fargo’s recent past has been mired in scandals, including a December 2022 ruling from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordering the bank to pay a $3.7 billion penalty as a result of widespread legal violations, including in the auto and mortgage loan space. Other lenders on our list don’t come with the same baggage.
Reach Financial could be a good choice for borrowers looking for a low-interest personal loan for debt consolidation. It has very fast funding speed. The company pays off your creditors directly — you won’t have any money go into your account — and will do so within roughly 48 hours after your loan is approved.
The company’s loan minimum is relatively low — you’re able to take out a loan as small as $3,500. See our guide to the best debt consolidation loans for options with higher limits.
Watch out for: Limited loan purpose. You’re only able to use your loan funds to consolidate or refinance debt. The other lenders on our list allow borrowers to use a personal loan for pretty much any purpose. Borrowers looking to cover other expenses will have to choose a different lender.
Prosper allows you to add a co-borrower to your account, a feature not all lenders offer. Enlisting a co-signer can help you get a lower interest rate on your personal loan than you would’ve otherwise received, or qualify for a loan that was out of reach on your own.
The company also has a low loan minimum of $2,000 and may be a good option for borrowers who only need a little bit of cash.
Watch out for: Many eligibility requirements. You may have trouble meeting all of Prosper’s qualifications for a personal loan, particularly if your finances aren’t in great shape. These include a debt-to-income ratio below 50%, and fewer than nine credit bureau inquiries (excluding duplicate inquiries) within the last six months.
SoFi Personal Loan. SoFi is an excellent personal loan lender, with no fees and an unemployment protection program. However, it has a higher minimum credit score requirement than any of the lenders on our list, and its minimum rate isn’t as low as the lenders we’ve chosen.
Avant Personal Loan, Avant is a great lender for borrowers with bad credit, as it recommends a credit score between 600 and 700 to qualify for a loan. However, its minimum rate is higher than all of the lenders on our list.
PenFed Credit Union Personal Loan. PenFed is one of our best credit unions for personal loans, with a low loan minimum of just $600. However, you need to be a member to get a loan, and its lowest rates are higher than the lenders we picked.
Low-Interest Loan Company Trustworthiness
Whether you’re interested in taking out a $5,000 loan or a $50,000 loan, finding the right provider can help with your loan approval experience. We’ve looked at each institution’s Better Business Bureau score to offer you another piece of information to pick a company that provides low-interest personal loans. The BBB measures businesses based on factors like their responsiveness to customer complaints, truthfulness in advertising, and openness about business practices. Here is each company’s score:
Our top picks are rated A+ or higher by the BBB, with the exception of Wells Fargo, which has a history of problematic behavior.
Most recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in December 2022 ordered Wells Fargo to return $2 billion to customers and pay a $1.7 billion penalty for legal violations involving auto loans, mortgages, and deposit accounts. The bank illegally charged fees and interest penalties on auto and mortgage loans. Additionally, it misapplied payments to those loans for many customers.
If these and other legal issues with Wells Fargo in recent years make you uncomfortable, you may consider getting a personal loan from a different lender.
Know that a high BBB score does not ensure a positive relationship with a credit card consolidation loan provider, and you should keep researching and talk to others who have used the company to get the most complete information possible.
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Methodology
We rate all personal loan products in our reviews and guides on a 1-5 scale. The overall rating is a weighted average that takes into account seven different categories, some of which are judged more heavily than others. They are:
Interest rate (20% of rating)
Fees (20% of rating)
Term lengths and loan amounts (15% of rating)
Funding speed (15% of rating)
Borrower accessibility (15% of rating)
Customer support (7.5% of rating)
Ethics (7.5% of rating)
Each category’s weighting is based on its importance to your borrowing experience. Rates and fees have the most direct impact on the overall cost of your loan, so we weigh those the most heavily. Customer support and ethics are still very important parts of the borrowing experience, but do not directly tie to a personal loan’s terms, so they have less of an impact on the overall rating.
Ryan Wangman was a reporter at Personal Finance Insider reporting on personal loans, student loans, student loan refinancing, debt consolidation, auto loans, RV loans, and boat loans. He is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). In his past experience writing about personal finance, he has written about credit scores, financial literacy, and homeownership. He graduated from Northwestern University and has previously written for The Boston Globe. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services here >>
Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate. He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team. Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends.
Special mention on this topic is that handset lifters are not cordless phones compatible. As matter of fact these kind of cordless phones can be used with a corded headset that will be plugged in the side of the phone, typically a 2.5mm jack
and those headsets usually cover one ear and the phone needs to be carry with the user all the time. One compatible headset will be coming from Jabra, the Jabra Biz 1500 Mono Cisco SPA headset will be compatible with any of those cordless desk phones and with bigger issues.
A lot of people might not like the idea of having a cord dangling from their cordless desk phone, for that, Plantronics created the TR-11 adapter. This adapter allows to use any Plantronics wireless headset such as the CS540 with your cordless desk phone. The way how to setup this adapter is by using a line splitter, that can be get locally at any electronic store, plug in the cordless desk phone on one and and the TR-11 and your Plantronics wireless headset on the other end. Then you can take the wireless headset with you and if the phone rings you would be able to answer the call by tapping the headset, you still can take your cordless phone with you if need to make calls out as well or if want to see who is calling using the ID caller if you count with this service.
compatible with most of the desk phones with certain exemptions which will mention down later. HL 10 lifter is fully compatible with all Plantronics wireless headsets, including CS, Savi and Voyager families.
located between the handset (receiver) and the speaker of the phone. The speaker has a built in ringer that will let the lifter know when a call is coming in and that way can tell the headset a call needs to be answered.
If you have your old Plantronics wireless headset laying around and want to get the HL 10 lifter, make sure that you still have the Telephone interface cable. This cable is essential to make it work as it is required to plug in your Plantronics headset into the desk phone. If you lost yours or can’t find it, you can order it here.
As you can see here, the design of the lifter is on reverse when compared with the Plantronics case, so instead of picking up the handset from the top of the receiver with a lifting straight
movement, it will be picking up from the top of the receiver but with a reverse lifting movement, that allows the handset to stay at its place and avoiding to drop the handset when trying to answer a call.
all the Sennheiser wireless headset systems, such as the IMPACT, Office Runner, SDW headsets. This last one has a similar design on
the action/movement as the Jabra one, so this is another alternative for Mitel users that are not compatible with the Plantronics HL10 lifter. The arm of the HSL10II does the uppercut movement and thanks to that keeps the handset on its place thanks to the design of the arm.
