What Are Over-the-Counter (OTC) Stocks?
Over-the-counter stocks are not traded on a public exchange like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or Nasdaq. Instead, these stocks are traded through a broker-dealer network. In addition to…
What Does Russia’s Removal From SWIFT Mean For the Future of Global Commerce?
Removing Russian banks from the SWIFT system is accelerating a global economic realignment. With the rapid escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a large coalition of states, including the EU,…
Guide to High-Risk Stocks
High-risk stocks are equity investments where investors can experience significant losses, if not all, their money. Generally, high-risk stocks tend to be from cyclical, volatile industries or be newer, untested…
Margin Trading Explained Plus Advantages & Disadvantages
What Is Margin? The margin is the collateral that an investor has to deposit with their broker or exchange to cover the credit risk the holder poses for the broker or the exchange. An investor can create…
What is a Commercial Bank, How Do They Work, and Why Do They Matter?
What Is a Commercial Bank? The term “commercial bank” refers to a financial institution that accepts deposits, offers checking account services, makes various loans and offers essential financial products like certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts to individuals and small…
What Is an Amortization Schedule? How to Calculate with Formula
What Is Amortization? Amortization is an accounting technique used to periodically lower the book value of a loan or an intangible asset over a set period of time. Concerning a loan, amortization focuses on…
Credit Score? Definition, Factors, and Ways to Raise It
What Is a Credit Score? A credit score is a three-digit number that rates your creditworthiness. FICO scores range from 300 to 850. The higher the score, the more likely you…
What Is FDIC Insurance and What Are the Coverage Limits?
With FDIC insurance, the federal government protects your money held in a bank if your bank fails. But there are coverage limits. Key takeaways about FDIC insurance Banks are safe…
Collateral Definition, Its Types, & Examples
What Is Collateral? Collateral in the financial world is a valuable asset that a borrower pledges as security for a loan. For example, when a homebuyer obtains a mortgage, the…
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): What It Is and Different Types
What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)? The term adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) refers to a home loan with a variable interest rate. With an ARM, the initial interest rate is fixed for…
