Stephen Kates, CFP

About Stephen

Stephen Kates is a CFP® professional and personal finance expert specializing in financial planning and education. He is a financial analyst for Bankrate, providing strategic insights on economic trends, wealth management and how to make better financial decisions in your daily life.

With more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Stephen focuses on demystifying the economy and markets to offer better insights for consumers and investors to navigate our complex financial system. Stephen’s experience creating financial solutions for individuals, families and business owners includes managing debt, building retirement and estate plans and aligning financial assets with shifting lifestyle priorities. He leverages his passion for financial literacy by simplifying complex topics and making financial planning accessible to everyone.

Stephen began his career as a financial advisor in Boston. During his early career at two of the largest financial firms in the country, Fidelity Investments and TIAA-CREF, he helped hundreds of clients navigate financial challenges and build comprehensive financial plans to grow and protect their wealth.

As an industry expert, Stephen writes and speaks about personal finance, retirement and building wealth. He has appeared on national broadcasts, including NBC, CBS and Fox Business, and has been quoted in leading digital publications such as Axios, USA Today, CNET, The Hill and Newsweek.

Stephen lives and works in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Kate, and their two children. He is a passionate Boston sports fan but still enjoys the local football and baseball games in his adopted home. Stephen is an avid traveler and enjoys collecting local artwork while traveling with his family.

Stephen wants you to know

Building wealth and achieving your goals takes will, skill, and time. There are no absences of internal and external obstacles to improving your finances, but patience and discipline will yield positive results whether you are working on creating your first emergency fund or planning for retirement. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Stephen beyond Bankrate

Housing market challenges

How to decide whether to invest in ETFs or mutual funds

The differences in home equity growth across the U.S.

Understanding credit card fees vs. rewards