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Jamela Adam

Banking Review and Writer

About

With more than three years of experience as a personal finance writer, Jamela Adam simplifies complex money topics to help readers become experts at managing their finances. Her work has been featured by U.S. News, Chime, SuperMoney, Business Insider, GOBankingRates and more.

Jamela Adam is a freelance personal finance writer with three years of experience covering topics such as banking, mortgages, credit cards, student loans and debt management. Her work has been published in major publications including U.S. News, Business Insider, RateGenius, SuperMoney and Chime.

Before going freelance, Jamela worked as a content marketing specialist and helped devise content strategies for major brands in the financial services space. In 2023, she began contributing to Forbes Advisor and has written dozens of articles in the banking niche.

When she’s not working, Jamela likes to solo travel, do Pilates, make ceramics, explore new coffee shops, learn Spanish and listen to podcasts.

Expertise

  • Banking
  • Loans
  • Budgeting
  • Checking
  • Savings

Achievements

  • Three years’ of as a freelance personal finance writer
  • Contributor to publications including Business Insider, GOBankingRates and U.S. News
  • Covers topics such as banking, mortgages, credit cards, student loans and debt management

Other Publications

Education

University of Southern California (B.A., Business Administration)

  • Best Places For Young Professionals To Live In The U.S. In 2024

    Where you choose to live impacts everything from your job opportunities to your ability to save money, and for individuals focused on building both their careers and strong financial foundations, there's a lot at stake. Many young professionals struggle to...
    Best Places For Young Professionals To Live In The U.S. In 2024
  • American Savings By Generation: How Balances And Goals Vary By Age

    In the face of high interest rates, the rising cost of living and other financial challenges, saving money has never been more critical. For many Americans, however, the ability to save is becoming a luxury. Forbes Advisor's latest survey reveals...
    American Savings By Generation: How Balances And Goals Vary By Age
  • If You Open A CD Account, Can You Ever Lose The Money You Deposited?

    A CD, or certificate of deposit, is a type of savings account that offers a guaranteed rate of return in exchange for you locking your money up for a while. When you put money into a CD account, you lend...
    If You Open A CD Account, Can You Ever Lose The Money You Deposited?
  • Best Banks With No Overdraft Fees Of May 2024

    From spending with a debit card to sending a check, there are many ways to overdraw your checking account and end up with a negative balance—and an expensive fee. Overdraft fees were once commonplace, but more banks are doing away...
    Best Banks With No Overdraft Fees Of May 2024
  • Teachers Federal Credit Union CD Rates Of May 2024

    Teachers Federal Credit Union offers 14 standard certificates of deposit terms, ranging from three to 60 months. In addition to offering a wide range of terms, TFCU pays highly competitive CD rates, with yields for its standard certificates ranging from...
    Teachers Federal Credit Union CD Rates Of May 2024
  • How To Join A Credit Union

    There are nearly 3,000 federal credit unions and over 1,700 state-chartered credit unions in the U.S. according to the National Credit Union Administration, so if you're looking to join a credit union, you've got options. Some require you to live...
    How To Join A Credit Union
  • Fifth Third Bank Review 2024

    Fifth Third Bank is a regional financial institution serving customers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. If you're looking for a single bank for all your needs—and you live in...
    Fifth Third Bank Review 2024
  • No Penalty CD Vs. Savings Account

    Choosing the right place to park your money can make all the difference in your financial growth. No-penalty certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts are two popular, low-risk options. But which one is right for your savings goals and...
    No Penalty CD Vs. Savings Account
  • Best Prepaid Debit Cards Of May 2024

    If you’d prefer not to pay for purchases with cash, credit cards or funds in your checking account, give prepaid debit cards a try. A prepaid debit card gives you the convenience of paying with plastic without the risk of...
    Best Prepaid Debit Cards Of May 2024
  • Where To Exchange Coins For Cash

    Most standard piggy banks can hold hundreds of dollars in loose change, and that’s not to mention the jars, jugs and other repurposed objects preferred in some homes for storing pennies and dimes. If you have a stuffed piggy bank...
    Where To Exchange Coins For Cash
  • Millennials and Generation Z Are More Likely To Discuss Salary Than Older Generations

    Money is an important aspect of life, and the ability to talk about money matters could help individuals grow their personal finance knowledge. However, the hesitancy to discuss personal finance topics continues to plague certain generations. A new survey by...
    Millennials and Generation Z Are More Likely To Discuss Salary Than Older Generations
  • How Much Money Should I Have Saved By 30?

    For many, hitting the big 3-0 is a meaningful milestone, and it may lead you to ask more questions about your future. And though 30 may seem young, you’re never too young to think about your nest egg and retirement....
    How Much Money Should I Have Saved By 30?
  • Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured?

    Regardless of where you store your hard-earned cash, it’s natural to be concerned about its safety. Thankfully, in the rare instance that a bank fails, up to $250,000 of the funds in your account will be protected as long as...
    Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured?
  • Connexus Credit Union Review 2024

    Connexus Credit Union is a full-service credit union offering a wide range of banking products. While it provides many of the same services as traditional banks, it differs from these by offering lower fees, higher APYs and free financial education...
    Connexus Credit Union Review 2024
  • What Is A Credit Union?

    The first credit union in the United States was founded in 1909. Since then, this type of financial institution has grown considerably—there are now over 4,800 credit unions with more than 130 million members across the nation. Here’s a closer...
    What Is A Credit Union?
  • CD Interest Rates Forecast: Will CD Rates Go Up In 2024?

    As the Federal Reserve continues to hold the federal funds rate steady, what's happening to interest rates on certificates of deposit (CDs)? After steady increases over the past couple of years, it appears CD rates have leveled off, too. And...
    CD Interest Rates Forecast: Will CD Rates Go Up In 2024?
  • PenFed Credit Union Review 2024

    Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) was established in 1935 and is now the second-largest credit union in the nation. As of June 2022, PenFed serves more than 2.8 million consumers worldwide with over $36 billion in assets. Though membership was...
    PenFed Credit Union Review 2024
  • Does Closing A Bank Account Hurt Your Credit?

    Ending a relationship with your bank is similar to ending any other type of relationship—there’s a right way to do it. One of the most common questions people have is whether closing their bank account will hurt their credit score....
    Does Closing A Bank Account Hurt Your Credit?
  • When Could Women Open A Bank Account?

    Just a century ago, women were barred from owning property, applying for credit and opening a bank account. Thanks to the work of those who pushed for change and equitable rights, women now have greater autonomy over their finances than...
    When Could Women Open A Bank Account?
  • Santander Bank CD Rates May 2024

    Santander Bank offers certificate of deposit (CD) terms for individuals and businesses. The bank’s personal CDs are currently only available for terms of nine or 13 months, while its small business CDs are available in seven different terms, ranging from...
    Santander Bank CD Rates May 2024
  • Black-Owned Banks In America: A State-by-State List

    According to the Federal Reserve, Black people are two times more likely to be denied credit than their white counterparts—regardless of income level. This discriminatory practice, also known as redlining, has contributed to disparities in wealth between Black and white...
    Black-Owned Banks In America: A State-by-State List
  • The Best Banks Of May 2024

    Choosing a bank can be a daunting task, given that there are nearly 4,800 federally insured banks in the U.S. and a variety of accounts to choose from. The best banks are the ones that provide accounts and services to...
    The Best Banks Of May 2024
  • One Finance Review 2024

    One, also known as One Finance, is a Sacramento-based financial technology (fintech) company founded in 2019. One is not a bank, but it provides banking services through Coastal Community Bank. One raised $40M in Series B funding in 2021 before...
    One Finance Review 2024
  • Savings Rates Forecast 2024: How High Will Rates Go In 2024?

    The Federal Reserve has implemented aggressive tactics to combat rising inflation and stabilize the economy this year. Namely, it has raised rates to increase borrowing costs and slow consumption. Since March 2022, the effective federal funds rate has risen 5.00%—the...
    Savings Rates Forecast 2024: How High Will Rates Go In 2024?
  • Citibank CD Rates: May 2024

    Citibank offers 19 "Fixed Rate" certificate of deposit (CD) terms, ranging from three months to five years. The bank’s CD rates tend not to be competitive among online banks, and Citi requires a minimum deposit to open a CD. Here’s...
    Citibank CD Rates: May 2024
  • Alliant Credit Union Review 2024

    Alliant Credit Union is an online credit union offering checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs (share certificates) and personal loans, among other financial products. Compared to traditional banks, Alliant Credit Union offers lower fees and higher APYs on its savings accounts....
    Alliant Credit Union Review 2024
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Top Picks From Jamela Adam

  • When Could Women Open A Bank Account?
    When Could Women Open A Bank Account?

    by Jamela Adam

    Read More

  • Does Closing A Bank Account Hurt Your Credit?
    Does Closing A Bank Account Hurt Your Credit?

    by Jamela Adam

    Read More

  • How To Join A Credit Union
    How To Join A Credit Union

    by Jamela Adam

    Read More

About

With more than three years of experience as a personal finance writer, Jamela Adam simplifies complex money topics to help readers become experts at managing their finances. Her work has been featured by U.S. News, Chime, SuperMoney, Business Insider, GOBankingRates and more.