01
Cites primary sources
For rules, limits, rates, and consumer protections, we prioritize the agency, regulator, issuer, or original dataset responsible for the information.
Editorial Standards
This page describes the editorial standards Finance Pulse applies when researching, publishing, reviewing, and correcting content. It also explains how readers can report an error.
Standards we apply to Finance Pulse content
These standards guide new work and substantive updates. Older articles are reviewed and improved as part of the site audit.
02
Verifies material claims
Time-sensitive limits, deadlines, rates, fees, and tax figures should be checked against a current source before publication or substantive update.
03
Keeps editorial independence
Affiliate partners do not see articles before publish. Ratings reflect our research, not the commission rate.
04
Discloses how we get paid
Affiliate relationships are disclosed. Any sponsored material must be clearly labeled and kept separate from editorial scoring.
Sources we prioritize
The appropriate source depends on the claim. Primary and authoritative sources are preferred, while reputable secondary sources may provide context when no primary dataset answers the question directly.
IRS
Tax forms, deduction rules, contribution limits, and filing deadlines.
SEC
Securities filings, registration records, enforcement information, and investor education.
FDIC
Deposit insurance, BankFind records, consumer guidance, and bank-failure information.
Federal Reserve
Federal funds data, FOMC materials, economic data, and monetary policy statements.
BLS
Wage data, Consumer Price Index releases, and employment statistics.
Census Bureau
Household income, demographic data, and homeownership statistics. Used for context on how Americans actually save and spend.
CFPB
Consumer protection rules, the complaint database, and product warnings. Used for credit card, loan, and debt-related guides.
Editorial process
Our six-step editorial workflow
This is the workflow used for new articles and substantial rewrites.
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01
Research
The editor scopes the question, identifies relevant sources, and separates verified facts from assumptions or commentary.
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02
Draft
The draft explains the reader's question in plain language and places source links near material rules, figures, and product claims.
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03
Source verification
Material figures, deadlines, limits, and legal or regulatory claims are checked against the most appropriate available source.
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04
Edit
Editor cuts jargon, tightens claims, checks the structure, and confirms the reader can act on the article. If the answer is not clear by the end, it gets rewritten.
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05
Publish
Article goes live with author byline, publish date, and "last updated" stamp. Affiliate disclosures sit at the top, not buried at the bottom.
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06
Update
Articles are revised when laws, contribution limits, rates, or product terms change. Time-sensitive pieces (tax limits, Fed rates, HYSA APYs, credit card offers) get more frequent passes.
There is a wall between the money and the article
↓ Money side
Reader clicks an affiliate link
Partner pays a commission at no cost to the reader.
Partner pays Finance Pulse
Supports hosting, research, editing, and site operations.
Operating costs
Hosting and editorial work funded by Finance Pulse, not by partners.
↓ Editor side
Editor picks the topic
From reader questions and primary-source releases, not partner asks.
Writer drafts from sources
Partners do not receive approval rights over editorial conclusions or scores.
Rating is the editor's call
If the product is bad, we say so. Commission does not change the verdict.
No paid guest posts. No sponsored content disguised as editorial. No pay-to-play "best of" lists. For the full breakdown, read our Disclaimer and Advertiser Disclosure.
How we handle corrections
Editor’s note
When material
Silent rewrite
Avoided
Fix verified
As reviewed
Material corrections should receive an editor's note describing what changed and when. Minor spelling, formatting, and broken-link fixes may be made without a note. If you spot an error, tell us. We review correction reports and update verified errors as promptly as practical.
Found an error?
Help us review a possible error.
Send the URL, the relevant passage, and a supporting source. Material verified corrections receive an editor's note when appropriate.