About
Credit cards and banking specialist Jenn Underwood brings over 16 years of personal finance experience to the table. After a decade of teaching courses in banking, debt reduction, budgeting and credit improvement, she moved into writing content and fintech product development. Over the last four years, Jenn has contributed to Forbes Advisor and a variety of fintech companies. She has served as a UX consultant, moderated discussions on open banking and been a guest on a number of personal finance podcasts.
Jenn Underwood is a credit cards and banking specialist who came to Forbes Advisor with a diverse finance background. She began teaching basic financial management to female entrepreneurs in Ghana. After grad school, she spent six years coaching college students in personal financial management. Building credit and avoiding credit card debt were the primary lesson topics. She later provided personal finance training within local government covering banking fees, credit cards, debt reduction, homeownership and credit scores. Over eight years, she wrote curriculum and facilitated over 500 workshops to nearly 7,500 participants.
Jenn is also experienced in the fintech sector. She’s served as an UX consultant and ghost written educational pieces on 401(k)s, credit cards, medical debt, predatory lending and FHA loans for fintech startups. She currently works in product for FinGoal, a fintech company providing transaction insights for banks, credit unions and card-linked offers.
She has been a regular contributor to Forbes Advisor for the last four years in the areas of banking, credit cards and personal finance. Jenn also has contributed to several podcasts covering rewards credit cards, behavioral economics and supporting parents in early financial education for their kids.
Expertise
- Building credit
- Debt reduction
- Digital banking
- Credit card rewards travel
- Bank fees
Achievements
- Over 8 years of personal finance training and curriculum development
- Contributor to Forbes Advisor banking, credit card and personal finance, as well as several fintech startups
- Moderated fintech webinar panel discussions for VentureBeat with Envestnet on Open Banking and Denver Startup Week Finding Money for Founders
- Taught financial management to female entrepreneurs in Ghana
- Currently working with FinGoal, a fintech providing transaction insights for banks, credit unions and card-linked offers
Other Publications
- Why Just One Bank Isn’t Enough
- Why Banks Can’t Be Defined By Just Geography Anymore
- 5 Mistakes People Make In Their Financial Wellness Planning
Education
Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A., Biblical Studies)
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.A., Christian Education)
Taylor University (B.A., English Literature)
Honors and Awards
Best in Show, Finovate 2022 Spring Demo
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Best Credit Cards For Restaurants And Dining Of April 2024
Tired of eating in? Try cooking up some delicious rewards with a credit card designed to elevate your earnings at restaurants and on dining. Several major card issuers serve up five-star credit card products for foodies to devour. -
11 Best 0% APR Credit Cards Of April 2024
Credit cards are known for charging higher interest rates than other loan products from banks. But with promotional 0% APR periods, some cards let you avoid interest payments on purchases, balance transfers or both. When comparing 0% APR cards, be... -
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review 2024
If the travel gods set out to design a perfect travel card, the is their masterwork. For a relatively low annual fee of , the card comes jam-packed with juicy rewards and other perks that make it a worthy contender... -
Best Free Checking Accounts Of April 2024
Free checking accounts are those that charge no monthly maintenance fee and have no (or very low) minimum balance or activity requirements—although account holders may still face fees for things like wire transfers, out-of-network ATM usage or overdrafts. The best... -
Schwab Investor Card From American Express Review 2024
The rewards potential on this card is limited. If you already hold an eligible investment account with Charles Schwab and want ways to grow your investment contributions, the could be a good option. However, if you’re not locked into Schwab... -
International Money Transfer: Best Ways To Send Money Internationally
Remittances to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) increased by 3.8% in 2023, hitting $669 billion. The United States remained the top country for sending money back home by people working abroad. The World Bank reports that the average cost of... -
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card Review 2024
The is a low-fee option to build business credit history for your nonprofit. This credit card can also help you save money on your daily nonprofit spending and make sure you avoid interest. -
Best Banks In Ohio For April 2024
The best banks in Ohio offer a wide selection of financial products to fit your needs. From Cleveland to Cincinnati, you’ll find low balance requirements, attractive APYs and quality digital banking tools. These top Buckeye State banks also score high... -
6 Things To Know About The Blaze Mastercard
Whether you received an offer by mail or researched credit cards for less than perfect credit, you may have heard of the and if you have, you may have questions. When you’re rebuilding your credit, it’s wise to understand any... -
What Is A Cash Advance And Should You Get One?
When you’re strapped, you might consider a cash advance from your credit card. A cash advance is a means of accessing money without applying for a formal loan. Cash advances do not require a credit check when drawn from existing... -
How To Budget Better With Credit Cards In 2024
Budgeting with a credit card may seem like a contradiction in terms. But using a credit card can actually be very beneficial to your financial plan. Responsible credit card usage can build your credit and will likely save you money... -
4 Steps To Take If Your Card Is Declined
You are standing at the cash register after a long day and the cashier tells you your credit card was declined. It can cause an array of emotions—frustration, fear and confusion. Depending on your mindset, you may feel more or... -
Cerulean Credit Card: 6 Things To Know And Alternatives
You may have received a offer in the mail. With promises of an unsecured credit limit up to $1,000, the offer may be tempting. At first glance, the Cerulean credit card seems like a great option, but is it the... -
Automatic Credit Limit Increase: How To Improve Your Chances
There are a number of reasons you may need to increase your credit limit. Traveling, car repairs or major life events can all increase your need for ready access to credit. Taking the appropriate steps to qualify for an automatic... -
Can You Get A Balance Transfer Credit Card With Bad Credit?
If you’re stuck with a balance on a high-interest credit card, you may have heard a balance transfer is a great option. But with most financial advice, you’ll need to determine if this option works for your circumstance. If you... -
Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Waiver
The is a highly coveted travel credit card that offers a host of exclusive benefits and rewards. Recognizing the sacrifices and service of military personnel, Chase provides a military fee waiver for Sapphire Reserve card holders and extends its benefits... -
How To Find Fixed-Rate Credit Cards
Credit card interest rates are on the rise. According to the Federal Reserve, the average interest on credit card balances is 24% as of Q2 2023. If you carry a credit card balance, rising rates can be an unwanted surprise,... -
How To Prevent Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud increased significantly in 2022. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), fraud reports for new accounts increased over 13%, while fraud on existing accounts rose more than 23%. The FTC received a total of 441,822 new reports... -
What Is The 50/30/20 Rule?
No matter where you are in your financial journey, a budget is key to ensuring you’re set up for success. A budget can also help you rebuild your savings or hack away at high-interest credit card debt. Budgeting plans come... -
Capital One 360 Banking Review 2024
Capital One is a full-service bank offering competitive rates and no-fee accounts to fit most banking needs. While it has branches and Capital One Cafés in select locations, Capital One is primarily considered an online bank. Along with popular consumer... -
Rainy Day Fund: What It Is And Why You Should Save For One
Unexpected expenses are unavoidable. And while savings levels hit historical highs at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, they dropped significantly just two years later, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Whether it’s a medical emergency, car... -
U.S. Consumer Banking Statistics 2024
Banking plays a pivotal role in most U.S. households, allowing Americans to manage their money, make purchases and save for the future. But as technology continues to evolve, so do our banking habits and our expectations of financial institutions. Here’s... -
Gap Good Rewards Mastercard Review 2024
The can earn significant rewards at Gap-branded stores, Old Navy-branded stores, Athleta and Banana Republic. But while it can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted, even committed brand shoppers would be better served by cards with more flexible rewards. -
Could A Low APR Card Be Better Than Your Rewards Card?
Rewards credit cards are wonderful when you’re able to pay in full each month. But if you start carrying a balance, those cards may be a liability. There are a number of reasons you may be facing interest; unexpected decreases... -
Barclays Savings Interest Rates Of April 2024
London-based bank Barclays offers limited banking products to the U.S. through online banking. Barclays US is not a full-service bank and doesn’t offer checking or investment products. However, it does offer savings accounts worth considering. These simple, high-interest savings products... -
NFCU Savings Account Interest Rates Of April 2024
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a basic savings account and a money market savings account, both of which bear interest. For customers who don’t need immediate access to their funds, the credit union also has savings certificates that earn higher... -
PNC Savings Account Interest Rates Of April 2024
PNC Bank offers several savings account options with different features, fees and interest rates. While its basic savings accounts pay negligible interest, its high-yield savings accounts offer rates competitive with the best online savings accounts. Here's an overview of PNC... -
Charles Schwab Review: Online Banking 2024
Charles Schwab has been part of America’s financial landscape for more than 40 years. As a brokerage firm, Charles Schwab offers a multitude of investment accounts, but it is also an online bank, with both checking and savings accounts. Other...
About
Credit cards and banking specialist Jenn Underwood brings over 16 years of personal finance experience to the table. After a decade of teaching courses in banking, debt reduction, budgeting and credit improvement, she moved into writing content and fintech product development. Over the last four years, Jenn has contributed to Forbes Advisor and a variety of fintech companies. She has served as a UX consultant, moderated discussions on open banking and been a guest on a number of personal finance podcasts.