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Spruce Money (Fintech) $100 Referral Bonus


Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $100 + $100 per referral (up to 5 referrals)
  • Availability: Nationwide 
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $200+ within 45 days
  • Additional requirements: Activate debit card
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: No
  • Credit card funding: None 
  • Monthly fees: None 
  • Early account termination fee: Unknown 
  • Household limit: None 
  • Expiration date: April 15, 2026

The Offer

No direct link to offer, requires a referral link (find and share referrals in this linked post)

  • Fintech Spruce Money is offering a $100 referral bonus to both parties when the new user opens a new account using a referral link and completes the following requirements:
    • Sign up for new account by April 15, 2026
    • Activate debit card
    • Receive a direct deposit of $200+

The Fine Print

  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees to worry about.

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF but as there is no monthly fee it’s not a huge risk to keep open. 

Our Verdict

I wouldn’t be surprised if this gets pulled early, although Spruce Money is built by H&R Block so they definitely have the money to spend if they decide to push it. As far as I know this is the only bonus we have seen from Spruce. There is always a chance that the bonus will increase in the future but if you’re in two player mode you can effectively get $300 from two signs up ($100 from first, then refer partner for $200 on the second). I think this one is worth doing and will be added to our best bank account bonuses. Again, please do not share your referral information in the comments below. It can be shared in this linked post instead.

Hat tip to reader Kiwi

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

  • A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
  • Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
  • PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
  • Introduction To ChexSystems
  • Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
  • What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
  • How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
  • Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
  • How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
  • Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
  • Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
  • Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
  • Bank Bonus Posting Times

Bill Ackman confident he’ll win over UMG shareholders to $64 billion bid, says Bolloré response was ‘music to my ears’


Bill Ackman told investors on Tuesday (April 7) that he expects “overwhelming shareholder support” for Pershing Square‘s $64 billion takeover proposal for Universal Music Group — revealing that his first call before launching the bid was to UMG‘s largest single shareholder, and that he and proposed board chairman Michael Ovitz dined with UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge weeks before submitting the offer.

Speaking on an investor call following the announcement of a non-binding bid to acquire all outstanding shares of UMG, Ackman was candid about what it will take to close the deal — and how far along he believes the groundwork already is.

The transaction requires the support of UMG‘s board and a two-thirds vote of shareholders who attend a meeting called for the purpose.

“Without Bolloré, we don’t have a transaction.”

Bill Ackman

Ackman said his priority was the Bolloré Group, the company’s largest single shareholder, which controls 28% of UMG via both a direct stake in the music company, plus its holding in Vivendi.

“Without Bolloré, we don’t have a transaction,” Ackman said.

“So my first phone call yesterday was to [Bolloré] to just share with them a high-level summary of the transaction. And I guess the words I got back were, ‘these are music to my ears.’”

Ackman added that “the devil’s in the details” but described Bolloré as “intrigued.”

(Ackman noted that the conversation had been brief and that Pershing Square had deliberately not shared material non-public information with Bolloré ahead of the public announcement.)

The transaction would generate approximately €2.7 billion in incremental cash for the Bolloré Group, Ackman said, while allowing the French firm to retain its stake in UMG — addressing what he characterized as market anxiety about whether Bolloré intended to sell its position.

On Grainge, Ackman acknowledged: “We need board approval from Universal Music. We need the support, ultimately, I think, of Lucian [and] the management team.”

“We need the support, ultimately, I think, of Lucian and the UMG management team.”

Bill Ackman

He said that he and Ovitz — whom Pershing Square has proposed as Chairman of UMG‘s board of directors — had presented “the idea of this potential transaction without really getting into details about a specific proposal” at a dinner a couple of weeks ago.

Lucian encouraged us to send it in and [said] it’s something the company’s going to take a hard look at,” Ackman said.

Why Ackman believes the deal ‘checks the box’ for all stakeholders

Asked by Michael Morris of Guggenheim about the path to approval given the concentration of UMG‘s shareholder base, Ackman once again expressed confidence.

“I don’t see a reason why all the shareholders won’t support this transaction,” he said, adding that the proposal “addresses really everyone’s concerns” and was “almost frictionless.”

Ackman said the deal would benefit UMG employees holding stock options that are “massively out of the money” due to the current depressed share price. He added that artists would receive approximately €750 million from the sale of UMG‘s €2.7 billion Spotify stake.

Ackman said that he did not expect opposition from Tencent — whose consortium holds approximately 20% of UMG — or “any of the other [major share] holders.”

Ackman was emphatic throughout the call that the proposal would not change how UMG is run.

“I don’t see a reason why all the shareholders won’t support this transaction.”

Bill Ackman

He praised Grainge and the Universal management team for having “done an excellent job” and said there would be “no change to the way the business operates.”

Pershing Square CIO Ryan Israel echoed the point when asked about UMG‘s revenue outlook: “We are very optimistic and excited [by] the success the company has had historically.”

Questioned by Christophe Cherblanc of Bernstein, Ackman praised UMG‘s M&A discipline, saying the management team had been “incredibly disciplined and thoughtful about which are the important enduring artists where it would be an enhancement to the company’s catalog for an acquisition to make sense.”

That said, Ackman disclosed that one of the conditions of the transaction would be a simplified “reset” of Sir Lucian Grainge‘s employment contract.

“My view is his contract is much too complicated,” Ackman said. “There’s an opportunity to restructure it in a way that makes sense.”

Ackman acknowledged that Grainge‘s contract likely contains a change-of-control provision, but said he did not believe there were any other significant employee-related change-of-control clauses that would be triggered by the deal.

Governance, investor relations, and the financial case

The proposed new board would include Michael Ovitz as Chairman, two representatives from Pershing Square, and additional members from UMG‘s current board.

Ackman described Ovitz, who co-founded Creative Artists Agency in 1975, as “considered by many to be the greatest agent of all time,” citing a 40-year relationship with Grainge.

Also present on the call was Jill Chapman, who Ackman said had recently joined Pershing Square from Hilton, where she was head of investor relations for over a decade and was apparently “the number one ranked investor relations person in the S&P 500” during that period.

Ackman positioned Chapman as central to the plan to overhaul UMG‘s investor communications — one of six factors Pershing Square has cited as depressing the stock — saying the company needed “a very proactive approach” to engaging with shareholders and analysts.

Ackman said UMG “has never graduated from being operated like a private company” in how it communicates with investors, and that the absence of per-share metrics in the company’s guidance was currently “a significant concern for the shareholder base.”

Pershing said it expects UMG to deliver earnings-per-share growth of 15% to 19% annually under the new plan, driven by high-single-digit revenue growth, margin expansion, and the cancellation of 17% of its shares outstanding.

Hilton is a royalty on people staying in hotels. Much the same way that Universal‘s a royalty on people listening to music.”

Bill Ackman

Ackman said the company “can be a high teens earnings grower over the next foreseeable future, decade-plus.”

Ackman repeatedly compared UMG‘s potential to that of Hilton Worldwide, which Pershing Square held for over seven years before exiting the position earlier this year.

He noted that Hilton‘s stock traded at approximately 18 times earnings when Pershing first invested, and now trades at 33 times — “in the middle of a war” — crediting the transformation to transparent investor communications and disciplined capital allocation.

Hilton is a royalty on people staying in hotels,” Ackman said. “Much the same way that Universal‘s a royalty on people listening to music.”Music Business Worldwide

Top Mortgage Lenders of 2025: UWM Makes It Three Years in a Row at #1


It’s a hat trick.

Once again, United Wholesale Mortgage was crowned the top mortgage lender in the country, as it was in 2024 and 2023.

This marks the third year in a row for the Pontiac, Michigan-based company that solely works with mortgage brokers.

And like usual, they beat out their crosstown rival Rocket Mortgage in the process.

Read on to see which other companies made the top-10 list in 2025.

Largest Mortgage Lenders of 2025 (Overall)

Ranking Company Name 2025 Loan Volume
1. UWM $162.0 billion
2. Rocket Mortgage $106.6 billion
3. CrossCountry $48.3 billion
4. Chase $47.8 billion
5. Pennymac $33.7 billion
6. Bank of America $29.0 billion
7. Rate $28.8 billion
8. U.S. Bank $27.9 billion
9. Veterans United $27.5 billion
10. Wells Fargo $27.3 billion

Let’s take a closer look at the nation’s biggest mortgage lenders, based on loan volume that includes retail and wholesale originations per HMDA data parsed by Richey May.

More than 4,700 banks, direct mortgage lenders, wholesale lenders, and credit unions originated nearly $2 trillion ($1.97T) in home loans last year.

That was a nice jump from 2024, when mortgage companies funded just $1.3 collectively.

As noted, UWM took the spoils and it wasn’t even close. The company funded a mouthwatering $162 billion in home loans last year, easily beating out second place Rocket.

Speaking of, Rocket Mortgage mustered $106.6 billion in funded loans, which includes both retail and wholesale loan originations.

UWM only works in the wholesale channel and still was able to originate roughly 50% more!

But Rocket has been steadily growing its own wholesale channel, known as Rocket PRO, and acquisitions of Redfin and Mr. Cooper could narrow the gap this year and beyond.

After the first two, it drops off massively, but kudos to CrossCountry Mortgage for ascending the list and grabbing third.

The Cleveland, Ohio-based lender funded $48.3 billion in home loans during 2025, referring to itself as “America’s #1 retail mortgage lender.”

Taking fourth was Chase, the only actual bank in the top five with $47.8 billion in mortgages closed.

And rounding out the top five was Pennymac, another nonbank based in SoCal with $33.7 billion.

The rest of the best included Bank of America, Rate (formerly Guaranteed Rate), U.S. Bank, Mortgage Research Center, and Wells Fargo.

Top Home Purchase Lenders of 2025

Ranking Company Name 2025 Loan Volume
1. UWM $93.5 billion
2. Rocket Mortgage $50.5 billion
3. CrossCountry $38.2 billion
4. Chase $31.6 billion
5. DHI Mortgage $23.4 billion
6. Veterans United $22.6 billion
7. Rate $22.3 billion
8. Guild Mortgage $22.0 billion
9. CMG Mortgage $21.7 billion
10. Fairway Home $20.8 billion

Home purchase loans accounted for just over two-thirds (68%) of total loan volume last year.

And yes, United Wholesale Mortgage topped this list too, unsurprisingly.

The company extended $93.5 billion in mortgages to home buyers during 2025, again nearly double second-placed Rocket’s $50.5 billion funded.

In third was CrossCountry Mortgage with $38.2 billion, showing their focus on home buyers as opposed to existing homeowners.

Chase again took fourth with $31.6 billion, but a home builder’s mortgage lender, DHI Mortgage, snagged fifth with $23.4 billion.

Others in the top 10 included Mortgage Research Center, which operates Veterans United Home Loans, a top purchase lender for veterans (VA loans), Rate, Guild Mortgage, CMG Mortgage, Fairway Home Mortgage,

Falling just outside the top 10 was Lennar Mortgage, another captive builder lender.

So not a ton of surprises here, especially with the inclusion of a couple of home builder-affiliated lenders.

They are hard to beat because they have the ability to offer massive mortgage rate buydowns to their customers buying homes.

Biggest Mortgage Refinance Lenders of 2025

Ranking Company Name 2025 Loan Volume
1. UWM $68.5 billion
2. Rocket Mortgage $54.0 billion
3. Freedom Mortgage $19.7 billion
4. Pennymac $15.8 billion
5. Chase $13.1 billion
6. Newrez $10.2 billion
7. CrossCountry $9.6 billion
8. U.S. Bank $9.6 billion
9. Bank of America $9.2 billion
10. loanDepot $8.4 billion

When we focus solely on existing homeowners, the list changes quite a bit.

Those who already own homes can modify their existing mortgage by applying for a refinance.

This includes both rate and term refinances, where you adjust the mortgage rate, loan term, and/or product type.

And cash-out refinances, where you tap equity or consolidate debt to cover other expenses.

The top mortgage lender here was again UWM with $68.5 billion funded, followed by Rocket with $54 billion and Freedom Mortgage with $19.7 billion.

Again, loan volume dropped off a ton once the top two mortgage lenders were out of the picture.

In fourth was Pennymac with $15.8 billion, followed by Chase with $13.1 billion in fifth.

The rest of the best included Newrez, CrossCountry Mortgage, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, and finally loanDepot.

So not a ton of variety in the top mortgage lender lists, which seem to be dominated by a small handful of very big players.

Over time, these lists have consolidated, especially as the big guys acquire more small guys, including real estate portals and mortgage loan servicing companies.

As I always say, take the time to look beyond the household names. You might pay less if you go with a company that doesn’t spend millions on commercials and advertising!

Colin Robertson
Latest posts by Colin Robertson (see all)

How I Recreated Viral Finance Videos Using Ai Tools Only!



In this video i’ll show you how to make faceless finance youtube videos using Ai tools to help streamline your content creation process.
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source

Best Student Loan Rates for April 7, 2026: Abe Leads At 2.65%


Student loan rates have continued to remain steady as the Federal Reserve held rates steady. As of April 7, 2026, private student loan lenders are offering fixed rates as low as 2.65% APR and variable rates starting as low as 3.03% APR, depending on credit profile, degree program, and repayment term.

Abe℠ Student Loans currently offers the lowest fixed rate loan available. Student Choice is currently offering the lowest variable rate student loan available.

While federal student loan rates are set annually by Congress, private lenders continue to adjust based on market conditions and Treasury yields. Staying current on these changes can save borrowers hundreds (or even thousands) over the life of a loan.

💰 Today’s Best Student Loan Rates At a Glance

Here are the best private student loan rates today:

Lender

Fixed APR

Variable APR

Cosigner Required?

Abe Student Loans

2.65% – 16.36%

3.50% – 16.82%

No

Ascent

2.69% – 15.86%

3.68% – 15.34%

No

College Ave

2.84% – 17.99%

3.89% – 17.99%

Yes

Sallie Mae

2.89% – 17.49%

3.75% – 16.37%

No

Student Choice

2.99% – 14.74%

3.03% – 15.00%

Optional

1. Abe Student LoansAbe offers private student loans to a undergraduate, graduate, and post-bachelor graduate certificate students, with flexible repayment options and no origination, late payment, or forbearance fees. Rates start as low as 2.65% APR. Read our full Abe Student Loans review.

2. Ascent – Ascent Student Loans is a solid choice as a private lender – as they offer both cosigner and non-cosigner loans for undergraduate and graduate students. Rates start as low as 2.69% APR. Read our full Ascent Student Loans Review.

3. College Ave – College Ave Student Loans offers some of the lowest fixed rates on student loans on the market today. They are one of the largest private student loan lenders, and have highly competitive rates on their loans. Rates start as low as 2.84% APR. Read our full College Ave Student Loans review.

4. Sallie Mae – Sallie Mae is probably one of the most well-known lenders on this list. They are the nation’s largest private student loan lender by loan volume. As a result, they also offer some of the most competitive private student loans and parent loans out there. Rates start as low as 2.89% APR. Read our full Sallie Mae review.

5. Student Choice Student Choice is a service that works with a huge network of credit unions nationwide to match you with low cost student loans offered by credit unions. They currently have some of the lowest variable rate student loans on the market. Rates start as low as 2.99% APR for fixed rates and 3.03% APR for variable rate loans. Read our full Student Choice Student Loans review.

Federal Loans: Remember, the federal student loan interest rates are fixed. They won’t change again until the next academic year.

  • Undergraduate Direct: 6.39%
  • Graduate Direct: 7.94%
  • Parent PLUS Loans: 8.94%

You can find a full list of the best private student loans here >>

Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Which Should You Choose?

There’s a lot of uncertainty that borrowers don’t like with variable rates, which can make sense, but in a declining rate environment, it also opens the potential for future savings. Here’s what to know:

  • Fixed rates stay the same for the life of the loan, offering predictable monthly payments. They’re better for borrowers who plan to repay over many years.
  • Variable rates can change with market conditions, starting lower but carrying risk if the Fed raises rates again. They can make sense for borrowers who expect to pay off loans quickly.

Most private lenders allow you to check rates without affecting your credit score. Always compare both options before signing.

What To Know Before Borrowing

Before taking out a private student loan, make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing up for.

  • Cosigner rules: Most undergraduates need a cosigner – which is someone (usually a parent) that is just as legally responsible for the loan. Check for early cosigner release after consistent on-time payments.
  • Repayment flexibility: Look for lenders offering in-school deferment, interest-only options, or income-based repayment.
  • Discounts: Many lenders provide 0.25% off for autopay.
  • Fees: Compared to federal loans, private loans offer fewer fees – including no origination fees.
  • Safety: Federal loans offer loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans. Exhaust federal options before turning to private loans.

For most families, borrowing federal student loans first makes the most sense. However, for parents looking at parent PLUS vs. private loans, private loans can make more sense.

How We Track And Verify Student Loan Rates

At The College Investor, our editorial team reviews student loan rates daily from more than a dozen major lenders. We verify data using official lender disclosures, regulatory filings, and real-time rate sheets.

We only include lenders offering loans to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. All rates are updated regularly and represent the lowest available APRs with autopay discounts applied.

Our coverage is independent and not influenced by compensation. While we may earn a referral fee when you open a loan through certain links, this never affects our editorial recommendations. Our goal is simple: to help you find the most affordable path to borrow responsibly.

FAQs

How often do private student loan rates change?

Lenders can adjust daily based on bond market movements and Federal Reserve actions, as well as their own competitive goals.

Are private student loans fixed or variable?

You can choose either. Fixed rates offer stability, while variable rates change with the market.

Do private student loans qualify for forgiveness?

No. Only federal student loans are eligible for forgiveness programs like PSLF or IBR.

Is a cosigner always required?

Not always, but most undergraduate borrowers will need one to qualify.

Can I refinance later if rates drop?

Yes. Refinancing can reduce your rate and monthly payment, though you’ll lose federal benefits if you refinance federal loans.

Disclosures

Abe Student Loans
Before applying for a private student loan, DR Bank and Monogram LLC recommend exhausting all financial aid alternatives including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

The AbeSM student loan is made by DR Bank, Member FDIC (“Lender”). All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to Lender’s underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. LENDER AND MONOGRAM LLC EACH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. TERMS, CONDITIONS AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

* In order to estimate your available rates and loan options, with your authorization, DR Bank will initiate a soft credit inquiry. Soft credit inquiries do not affect your credit. Any rates and loan options offered to you are estimates only.

1Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates): Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) depend upon (1) the student’s and cosigner’s (if applicable) credit histories, (2) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (3) the expected number of years in deferment, (4) the requested loan amount and (5) other information provided on the online loan application Rates and terms are effective as of03/10/2026. The variable interest rate for each calendar month is calculated by adding the 30-Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) index plus a fixed margin assigned to each loan. The current SOFR index, published on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is 3.75% as of 03/01/2026. The applicable index or margin for variable rate loans may change over time and result in a different APR than shown. The fixed rate assigned to a loan will never change except as required by law or if you request and qualify for an interest rate discount, or receive In-School Default Protection (see footnote 3). APRs displayed as a range: APRs assume a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The low APRs assume a 7-year term, and the Interest-Only Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay (see footnote 2). The high APRs assume a 5-year term with the Interest-Only Repayment option, a 31-month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment.

2Autopay Discount: Earn a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making automatic payments from a bank account (“auto pay discount”) by completing the direct debit form accessible on the Servicer’s website. The auto pay discount is in addition to other discounts. The auto pay discount will be applied after the Servicer validates your bank account information. Automatic payments and the associated discount will be temporarily discontinued (1) if you elect to stop automatic deduction of payments and (2) during periods when you are not required to make payments. The discount will be permanently discontinued in the event three automatic deductions are returned by the financial institution for any reason.

3 In-school Default Protection: Interest Only or Flat Payment Repayment loans that reach at least 90 days delinquent during an in-school deferment period will automatically transition to the Full Deferment Repayment option. Under these circumstances, the interest rate on an original Interest Only loan will increase by one percentage point (1.00%) and the interest rate on an original Flat Payment Repayment loan will increase by one quarter of one percentage point (0.25%). Credit reporting prior to the transition of a loan to the Full Deferment Repayment option will remain on your record. Any unpaid accrued interest at the end of an in-school deferment period may be capitalized in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

4 Loan Amounts: The minimum loan amount is $1,000, except for (a) student applicants who are permanent residents of Iowa in which case the minimum loan amount is $1,001, and (b) student applicants or cosigners who are permanent residents of Massachusetts in which case the minimum loan amount is $6,001. The maximum loan amount to cover in-school expenses for each academic year is determined by the school’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid, as certified by the school. The requested loan amount cannot cause an individual applicant’s aggregate maximum student loan debt (which includes federal and private student loans), to exceed $225,000. On a specialty graduate loan (Dental, Medical, Healthcare, Law and MBA) the loan amount cannot cause the aggregate maximum student loan debt to exceed $350,000.

5 Loan Terms: The 15- and 20- year term and Flat Payment Repayment option (paying $25 per month during in-school deferment) are only available for loan amounts of $5,000 or more. Making interest only or flat interest payments during deferment will not reduce the principal balance of the loan. Payment examples (all assume a 14-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, and the Interest Only Repayment option): 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.80% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $211.49. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 7.00% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $150.93. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 6.85% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $115.34. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 6.80% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $88.77. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and an 8.88% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $89.20.

6 The student borrower has meet certain credit and other criteria, and 12 consecutive monthly principal and interest payments or lump sum payments equal to 12 monthly principal and interest payments must have been received by the Servicer during any 12-month period. While a loan is in a reduced repayment plan or while a request for a reduced payment plan is pending, borrowers are not eligible to apply for cosigner release.

7 The grace period is six months. The grace period begins on the earlier of the date (a) the student borrower graduates, (b) the student borrower ceases to be enrolled, or (c) that is 60 months from the first disbursement date, but in no case, earlier than six months after the first disbursement date. The immediate repayment option does not have a grace period.

Ascent Student Loans

Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent‘s Terms and Conditions please visit:

*Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visitAscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 3/1/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, seerepayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform. 

*The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

Sallie Mae Student Loans

¹Rates displayed are for undergraduate and career training students:

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount: Additional information regarding the auto debit discount: Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. *These rates will be effective 3/02/2026.

Terms:

Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.

² For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website may be subjected to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.

Editor: Colin Graves

Reviewed by: Richelle Hawley

The post Best Student Loan Rates for April 7, 2026: Abe Leads At 2.65% appeared first on The College Investor.

What the Rise of AI Skills on Resumes Means for Job Seekers


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Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just transforming workplaces; it’s increasingly showing up on resumes. According to Monster’s AI Resume Trends Report, the percentage of resumes including at least one AI-related term skyrocketed from just 3.7% in 2023 to 12.8% in 2025. That means 1 in 8 resumes are now listing at least one AI term. That surge, more than threefold in two years…

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Legacy Payment Systems Leave Banks Exposed To Fintech Disruptors : Analysis


Banks’ outdated payment infrastructures are increasingly handing market share to faster-moving fintech competitors. As merchants and customers demand seamless digital experiences, real-time processing, and embedded finance options, legacy systems—built for batch processing and slower rails—create bottlenecks that hinder innovation and responsiveness. Industry professionals warn that without urgent modernization, traditional banks risk losing customer relationships as alternatives quietly gain traction.

Tech experts emphasize that updating core infrastructure is no longer optional but essential for competing with digital-first players.

Outdated platforms restrict participation in emerging areas such as real-time payment networks, digital assets, and API-driven embedded services. Fintechs, unburdened by decades-old code, can develop and deploy new capabilities far more rapidly, according to Capgemini’s analysis of global payment trends.

Recent research underscores the scale of the challenge. Accenture’s Payments Technology Reinvention Study reveals that 59% of banks continue to grapple with legacy payments IT systems and infrastructure, limiting their ability to meet evolving customer demands affordably and at speed.

PwC’s Financial Services Industry Survey 2025 finds that 45% of banking executives identify payment and transaction platforms as their single largest competitive threat, while 43% have delayed major technology initiatives due to integration complexities.

Deloitte highlights the need to retire legacy systems in favor of platforms supporting real-time payments, ISO 20022 standards, and scalable interoperability to stay relevant.

EY notes that high maintenance costs and inefficiency from on-premises legacy technology put banks at a disadvantage against cloud-native fintechs that deliver innovation more quickly and at lower cost.

Analysts point to misallocated resources as a core issue.

Many institutions pour budgets into patching existing systems rather than strategic replacement, underestimating the loss of institutional knowledge from outsourcing and staff turnover.

“Banks that treat payments infrastructure as a core strategic priority early on position themselves as leaders,” observes one payments executive.

Forward-thinking institutions are adopting modular, API-first architectures, real-time data frameworks, AI-driven automation, and cloud migration to unlock efficiency and collaboration.

Practical examples illustrate the stakes.

Banks like Cross River have built in-house API-driven cores to power high-volume real-time disbursements, while NatWest launched a separate digital entity on modern technology to serve niche segments without retrofitting legacy platforms.

US Bank has leveraged real-time networks for instant dealer funding, yet fintechs still dominate many adjacent spaces.

Capgemini projects strong growth in instant payments and e-money wallets, signaling accelerating demand that legacy systems struggle to meet.

Experts recommend a holistic approach: mapping current dependencies, reallocating budgets from maintenance to replacement, and exploring “sidecar” models for experimentation.

PwC advocates rethinking processes through cloud adoption and real-time rails, while Accenture stresses reinventing payments technology to capture a multibillion-dollar growth opportunity.

The main takeaway is evident: incremental fixes are no longer sufficient.

As indicated in an update from the American Banker and other outlets, banks must prioritize comprehensive modernization to safeguard customer loyalty, reduce long-term costs, and reclaim ground from disruptive fintechs.  Those that act decisively—embracing data-rich, interoperable, and future-ready systems—will thrive in the evolving payments landscape; those that hesitate may find their relevance steadily eroded.



MacKenzie Scott’s latest donation takes her HBCU giving to well over $1 billion



MacKenzie Scott has continued her giving spree to historically Black colleges and universities, and this time she’s crossed a milestone.

One of the billionaire philanthropist’s latest gifts, a $42 million donation to Elizabeth City State University on the school’s Founders Day in North Carolina, pushes her total giving to HBCUs well past the $1 billion mark. And that’s just part of Scott’s $26 billion philanthropic commitment since 2020, in which she’s donated to thousands of organizations focused on DEI, disaster recovery, community development, health, and environmental causes. Tuesday also happens to be Scott’s 55th birthday.

Elizabeth City State University Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove, Sr., expressed his “deepest gratitude” for Scott’s gift, saying she recognizes” the critical role that HBCUs play in expanding opportunity and strengthening communities.”

“Her investment affirms what we already know: that institutions like ECSU are powerful catalysts for change,” Hargrove said in a statement. “Gifts like this do more than provide resources; they accelerate momentum.” Scott’s donation will help the school’s ASCEND 2030 strategic plan, expanding opportunities for students and strengthening ties to the surrounding community.

The gift is the latest in a pattern Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has been building since 2020, when she first began directing hundreds of millions of dollars toward HBCUs. One such gift was to Howard University, the alma mater of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Thurgood Marshall, and Toni Morrison (with whom Scott shares a deep connection). Scott, who is worth an estimated $38.3 billion, donated $80 million to Howard in November 2025, which was one of the school’s largest donations in its 158-year history. 

Every HBCU MacKenzie Scott has funded—and how much

Why no-strings-attached giving is so rare and powerful

These donations share a commonality: They’re unrestricted, meaning schools can allocate them however they see fit, which could include funded scholarships, fortified endowments, attracted faculty, and bankrolled long-deferred facility upgrades. That flexibility, rare in philanthropy, is the cornerstone of what has made her approach so distinctive.

“She practices trust-based philanthropy,” Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, previously told Fortune. (Scott made two major donations to a veterans-focused organization: $15 million in 2022 and $20 million in 2025). Noni Ramos, CEO of Housing Trust Silicon Valley, has similarly noted Scott’s donations are “unlike traditional funding processes,” which typically involve lengthy applications, specific restrictions, and reporting requirements. 

“Her style empowers organizations like ours to determine how best to direct funds quickly and innovatively to address pressing issues,” Ramos told Fortune in 2024.

Scott’s HBCU giving exists within a broader DEI-focused philanthropic strategy that has become increasingly pronounced as the Trump administration rolls back federal support for diversity-focused programs and institutions. In 2025 alone, she donated $70 million each to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the United Negro College Fund.

The personal experiences behind Scott’s $26 billion giving streak

Scott’s motivation for giving at this scale traces back, in part, to formative experiences during her college years. A dentist once offered her free dental work when he saw her securing a broken tooth with denture glue, and a college roommate loaned her $1,000 when she saw her crying about nearly having to drop out during her sophomore year.

“It is these ripple effects that make imagining the power of any of our own acts of kindness impossible,” Scott wrote in a December 2025 essay. “The potential of peaceful, non-transactional contribution has long been underestimated, often on the basis that it is not financially self-sustaining, or that some of its benefits are hard to track. But what if these imagined liabilities are actually assets?”

The simple pleasure of giving also plays a role. 

“Generosity and kindness engage the same pleasure centers in the brain as sex, food, and receiving gifts, and they improve our health and long-term happiness as well,” Scott said. 

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