How we research, check and update every guide

The standards behind every number on this site: where it comes from, how we check it, and what we do when something changes or we get it wrong.

By the Yendo Credit Card USA editorial team. Updated . How we research

Issuer first

Rates, fees and rules come from Yendo's own published terms.

Cross-checked

We compare with regulators and established publishers.

Risks up front

Every guide explains what happens if things go wrong.

Dated and sourced

Each page shows its update date and sources.

Our six-step process

Every guide goes through the same steps before it's published, and again whenever it's updated.

Our six-step editorial process1Issuer terms firstRates and rules from Yendo2Cross-checkCheck regulators and reviewers3Write it plainlyExplain every term used4Lead with risksWhat happens if things go wrong5Date and sourceShow the update date and sources6Recheck and fixUpdate figures and correct errors
The same process applies to new pages and to every update.

Which sources we trust, and in what order

Not all sources are equal. When two disagree, the higher one wins, and we say so on the page.

Which sources we trust most, from top to bottom1. The issuer's own termsYendo's rates, fees, disclosures and locations pages2. Regulators and governmentCFPB, FTC, NCUA3. Established financial publishersNerdWallet, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Fortune4. User reportsUsed for common experiences, never for rates or rules
User reports help us describe common experiences, such as how long the title process takes. We never use them for rates, fees or eligibility rules.

How we calculate examples

  • Monthly interest is estimated as the APR divided by 12, multiplied by the balance. Card issuers calculate interest daily, so real figures vary slightly.
  • Yearly costs assume a balance held for the full year with no new purchases, unless we say otherwise.
  • Ranges such as APRs and fees are shown exactly as published. Your own offer depends on your application.
  • Illustrations, such as our cost-versus-risk chart, are labeled as illustrative and are not precise measurements.

How we rate products

Our Yendo review scores five areas out of 10: access to credit, cost, rewards, credit building, and risk. Scores are editorial judgments based on published terms and on how the product compares with realistic alternatives for the same reader. Partners cannot pay for, see in advance, or change a score.

Updates and corrections

We recheck key figures regularly and whenever Yendo announces changes, and every page shows the date it was last updated. If we find or are told about an error, we fix it as quickly as we can. Significant corrections, such as a wrong rate or fee, are noted on the page with the date of the change.

Found something wrong? Tell us, with the page and a source if you have one.

Independence

This site is not owned by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Yendo, Inc., Cross River Bank or Mastercard. No company reviews or approves our content before it's published. How we're funded is explained in our advertiser disclosure.

Not financial advice

Our content is general education. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal or tax advice. For decisions with serious consequences, such as pledging your vehicle, consider speaking with a qualified professional or a nonprofit credit counselor.