{ "finance_database": { "version": "1.0", "last_updated": "2026-01-21", "categories": [ { "category_id": "BANK_001", "category_name": "Banking Products", "products": [ { "product_id": "BANK_CHK_001", "product_type": "Checking Account", "provider": "Chase Total Checking", "description": "Full-service checking account with nationwide branches", "features": [ "Unlimited transactions", "ATM access at 16,000+ Chase ATMs", "Mobile check deposit", "Zelle integration", "Overdraft protection available" ], "fees": { "monthly_fee": 12, "monthly_fee_waiver_options": [ "Direct deposit of $500+", "Average daily balance of $1,500+", "Combined balance of $5,000+ in Chase accounts" ], "overdraft_fee": 34, "out_of_network_atm_fee": 3 }, "interest_rate": { "apy": 0.01, "compounding": "monthly" }, "minimum_opening_deposit": 0, "fdic_insured": true, "fdic_limit": 250000, "best_for": [ "Daily transactions", "In-person banking", "Nationwide access" ] }, { "product_id": "BANK_SAV_001", "product_type": "High-Yield Savings Account", "provider": "Marcus by Goldman Sachs", "description": "Online savings account with competitive interest rates", "features": [ "No monthly fees", "No minimum deposit", "Easy online transfers", "FDIC insured", "24/7 customer service" ], "fees": { "monthly_fee": 0, "transaction_fees": 0, "excessive_withdrawal_fee": 0 }, "interest_rate": { "apy": 4.5, "compounding": "daily", "rate_type": "variable" }, "minimum_opening_deposit": 0, "fdic_insured": true, "fdic_limit": 250000, "withdrawal_limits": { "monthly_limit": 6, "penalty": "Account may be closed or converted" }, "best_for": [ "Emergency fund", "High interest earnings", "Online banking comfort" ] }, { "product_id": "BANK_CD_001", "product_type": "Certificate of Deposit", "provider": "Ally Bank 12-Month CD", "description": "Fixed-rate CD with guaranteed returns", "term_months": 12, "interest_rate": { "apy": 5.0, "compounding": "daily", "rate_type": "fixed" }, "minimum_opening_deposit": 0, "early_withdrawal_penalty": { "penalty_period": "60 days interest", "description": "Forfeit 60 days of interest for early withdrawal" }, "fdic_insured": true, "automatic_renewal": true, "best_for": [ "Guaranteed returns", "Money not needed for 1 year", "Risk-averse savers" ] } ] }, { "category_id": "CREDIT_001", "category_name": "Credit Cards", "products": [ { "product_id": "CC_REWARDS_001", "card_name": "Chase Sapphire Preferred", "card_type": "Travel Rewards", "issuer": "Chase", "network": "Visa", "annual_fee": 95, "signup_bonus": { "points": 60000, "spending_requirement": 4000, "timeframe_months": 3, "estimated_value": 750 }, "rewards_structure": { "travel": { "rate": 2, "unit": "points per dollar", "categories": [ "Hotels", "Flights", "Rental cars" ] }, "dining": { "rate": 3, "unit": "points per dollar", "categories": [ "Restaurants", "Food delivery" ] }, "online_grocery": { "rate": 3, "unit": "points per dollar", "annual_cap": 1000 }, "everything_else": { "rate": 1, "unit": "points per dollar" } }, "redemption_options": [ { "type": "Travel through Chase portal", "value": "1.25 cents per point" }, { "type": "Transfer to airline/hotel partners", "value": "Variable, often 1.5-2+ cents per point" }, { "type": "Cash back", "value": "1 cent per point" } ], "apr": { "purchase_apr": "21.49% - 28.49%", "balance_transfer_apr": "21.49% - 28.49%", "cash_advance_apr": "29.99%", "apr_type": "Variable" }, "fees": { "balance_transfer_fee": "5% or $5 minimum", "cash_advance_fee": "5% or $10 minimum", "foreign_transaction_fee": 0, "late_payment_fee": "Up to $40" }, "benefits": [ "Primary rental car insurance", "Trip cancellation/interruption insurance", "Baggage delay insurance", "Purchase protection", "Extended warranty protection", "No foreign transaction fees" ], "credit_score_needed": "Good to Excellent (690+)", "best_for": [ "Frequent travelers", "Dining enthusiasts", "Point maximizers" ] }, { "product_id": "CC_CASHBACK_001", "card_name": "Citi Double Cash", "card_type": "Cash Back", "issuer": "Citi", "network": "Mastercard", "annual_fee": 0, "rewards_structure": { "all_purchases": { "earn_rate": 1, "unit": "% when you buy" }, "payment": { "earn_rate": 1, "unit": "% when you pay", "total": "2% total cash back" } }, "apr": { "purchase_apr": "19.24% - 29.24%", "balance_transfer_apr": "19.24% - 29.24%", "intro_balance_transfer_apr": "0% for 18 months", "apr_type": "Variable" }, "fees": { "balance_transfer_fee": "3% or $5 minimum (intro period), then 5%", "cash_advance_fee": "5% or $10 minimum", "foreign_transaction_fee": "3%", "late_payment_fee": "Up to $41" }, "redemption_options": [ "Statement credit", "Direct deposit", "Check" ], "minimum_redemption": 25, "credit_score_needed": "Good to Excellent (700+)", "best_for": [ "Simple cash back", "No category tracking", "Balance transfers" ] }, { "product_id": "CC_SECURED_001", "card_name": "Discover it Secured", "card_type": "Secured Credit Card", "issuer": "Discover", "network": "Discover", "annual_fee": 0, "security_deposit": { "minimum": 200, "maximum": 2500, "becomes_credit_limit": true, "refundable": "Yes, when account closed in good standing or upgraded" }, "rewards_structure": { "rotating_categories": { "rate": 5, "unit": "% cash back", "quarterly_cap": 1500, "activation_required": true }, "everything_else": { "rate": 1, "unit": "% cash back" }, "cashback_match": "100% of cash back earned in first year" }, "apr": { "purchase_apr": "28.24%", "apr_type": "Variable" }, "graduation": { "timeline": "8 months of responsible use", "outcome": "Automatic review for unsecured card", "deposit_return": "Security deposit returned" }, "credit_score_needed": "Limited or poor credit", "best_for": [ "Building credit", "Rebuilding credit", "First credit card" ] } ] }, { "category_id": "INVEST_001", "category_name": "Investment Products", "products": [ { "product_id": "INV_ETF_001", "product_type": "Exchange-Traded Fund", "ticker": "SPY", "name": "SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust", "provider": "State Street Global Advisors", "description": "Tracks the S&P 500 index, providing exposure to 500 large-cap US companies", "asset_class": "Equity", "investment_strategy": "Passive Index Tracking", "benchmark": "S&P 500 Index", "expense_ratio": 0.0945, "minimum_investment": "Price of 1 share (~$450)", "historical_performance": { "1_year_return": 24.2, "3_year_return_annualized": 10.5, "5_year_return_annualized": 15.8, "10_year_return_annualized": 12.9, "since_inception_annualized": 10.2 }, "dividend_yield": 1.5, "top_holdings": [ { "company": "Apple Inc.", "weight": 7.2 }, { "company": "Microsoft Corp.", "weight": 6.8 }, { "company": "Amazon.com Inc.", "weight": 3.5 }, { "company": "NVIDIA Corp.", "weight": 3.2 }, { "company": "Alphabet Inc. Class A", "weight": 2.1 } ], "sector_allocation": { "Technology": 29.5, "Healthcare": 13.2, "Financials": 12.8, "Consumer Discretionary": 10.5, "Communication Services": 8.9, "Industrials": 8.3, "Consumer Staples": 6.2, "Energy": 4.1, "Utilities": 2.5, "Real Estate": 2.3, "Materials": 1.7 }, "risk_level": "Medium", "liquidity": "Very High", "tax_efficiency": "High", "best_for": [ "Core portfolio holding", "Long-term growth", "Passive investors" ] }, { "product_id": "INV_BOND_001", "product_type": "Bond Fund", "ticker": "AGG", "name": "iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF", "provider": "BlackRock", "description": "Broad exposure to US investment-grade bonds", "asset_class": "Fixed Income", "investment_strategy": "Passive Index Tracking", "benchmark": "Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index", "expense_ratio": 0.03, "minimum_investment": "Price of 1 share (~$100)", "historical_performance": { "1_year_return": 2.8, "3_year_return_annualized": -2.1, "5_year_return_annualized": 0.9, "10_year_return_annualized": 1.8 }, "yield_to_maturity": 4.2, "average_duration": 6.2, "credit_quality": { "AAA": 72.5, "AA": 4.2, "A": 12.8, "BBB": 10.5 }, "bond_type_allocation": { "US_Treasury": 42.5, "Government_Related": 3.2, "Corporate": 26.8, "Securitized": 27.5 }, "risk_level": "Low to Medium", "interest_rate_sensitivity": "Moderate", "best_for": [ "Portfolio stability", "Income generation", "Risk reduction" ] }, { "product_id": "INV_REIT_001", "product_type": "Real Estate Investment Trust", "ticker": "VNQ", "name": "Vanguard Real Estate ETF", "provider": "Vanguard", "description": "Invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts", "asset_class": "Real Estate", "expense_ratio": 0.12, "minimum_investment": "Price of 1 share (~$90)", "dividend_yield": 4.2, "historical_performance": { "1_year_return": 8.5, "3_year_return_annualized": 4.2, "5_year_return_annualized": 6.8, "10_year_return_annualized": 7.5 }, "property_type_allocation": { "Specialized": 28.5, "Residential": 16.2, "Retail": 10.8, "Industrial": 15.5, "Office": 8.2, "Healthcare": 12.3, "Diversified": 8.5 }, "risk_level": "Medium to High", "correlation_to_stocks": "Moderate", "best_for": [ "Real estate exposure", "Dividend income", "Portfolio diversification" ] } ] }, { "category_id": "RETIRE_001", "category_name": "Retirement Accounts", "accounts": [ { "account_id": "RET_401K_001", "account_type": "401(k)", "account_variant": "Traditional", "description": "Employer-sponsored retirement plan with pre-tax contributions", "contribution_limits_2026": { "employee_contribution": 23500, "catch_up_contribution_age_50_plus": 7500, "total_employee_limit": 31000, "total_contribution_limit_with_employer": 69000 }, "tax_treatment": { "contributions": "Pre-tax (reduces current taxable income)", "growth": "Tax-deferred", "withdrawals": "Taxed as ordinary income" }, "employer_match_examples": [ { "match_formula": "100% match up to 3% of salary", "example_salary": 60000, "employee_contribution": 1800, "employer_contribution": 1800, "total": 3600 }, { "match_formula": "50% match up to 6% of salary", "example_salary": 80000, "employee_contribution": 4800, "employer_contribution": 2400, "total": 7200 } ], "withdrawal_rules": { "penalty_free_age": 59.5, "early_withdrawal_penalty": 10, "early_withdrawal_exceptions": [ "Disability", "Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI", "Substantially equal periodic payments", "Separation from service after age 55" ], "required_minimum_distributions": { "start_age": 73, "calculation": "Based on IRS life expectancy tables" } }, "loan_provisions": { "maximum_loan": "Lesser of $50,000 or 50% of vested balance", "repayment_period": "5 years (longer for home purchase)", "interest_rate": "Typically prime + 1-2%", "consequences": "Interest paid to yourself, but opportunity cost of growth" }, "best_for": [ "Tax deduction now", "Employer match", "High current tax bracket" ] }, { "account_id": "RET_ROTH_001", "account_type": "Roth IRA", "description": "Individual retirement account with after-tax contributions and tax-free growth", "contribution_limits_2026": { "under_50": 7000, "age_50_plus": 8000 }, "income_limits_2026": { "single": { "phase_out_start": 146000, "phase_out_end": 161000 }, "married_filing_jointly": { "phase_out_start": 230000, "phase_out_end": 240000 } }, "tax_treatment": { "contributions": "After-tax (no current deduction)", "growth": "Tax-free", "qualified_withdrawals": "Tax-free and penalty-free" }, "withdrawal_rules": { "contributions": "Can withdraw anytime tax and penalty-free", "earnings_qualified": { "age_requirement": 59.5, "account_age_requirement": 5, "tax_and_penalty": "None if both requirements met" }, "earnings_non_qualified": { "tax": "Yes, on earnings", "penalty": "10% on earnings (with exceptions)" }, "no_rmds": "Can leave money indefinitely" }, "backdoor_roth_strategy": { "description": "For high earners exceeding income limits", "steps": [ "Contribute to Traditional IRA (non-deductible)", "Immediately convert to Roth IRA", "Pay taxes on any gains during conversion" ], "considerations": "Pro-rata rule if you have other Traditional IRA balances" }, "best_for": [ "Young investors", "Expect higher future tax bracket", "Tax-free retirement income" ] }, { "account_id": "RET_HSA_001", "account_type": "Health Savings Account", "description": "Triple tax-advantaged account for medical expenses", "contribution_limits_2026": { "individual": 4150, "family": 8300, "catch_up_age_55_plus": 1000 }, "eligibility": { "requirement": "High-deductible health plan (HDHP)", "hdhp_definition_2026": { "individual": { "minimum_deductible": 1600, "maximum_out_of_pocket": 8050 }, "family": { "minimum_deductible": 3200, "maximum_out_of_pocket": 16100 } } }, "triple_tax_advantage": { "contributions": "Tax-deductible", "growth": "Tax-free", "withdrawals": "Tax-free for qualified medical expenses" }, "qualified_medical_expenses": [ "Doctor visits and hospital stays", "Prescription medications", "Dental and vision care", "Medical equipment", "Long-term care insurance premiums (age-based limits)" ], "after_age_65": { "medical_withdrawals": "Tax-free", "non_medical_withdrawals": "Taxed as ordinary income (like Traditional IRA), no penalty" }, "investment_options": "Can invest like IRA once minimum balance reached", "portability": "Stays with you if you change jobs or insurance", "strategy": "Pay medical expenses out-of-pocket, save receipts, let HSA grow for retirement", "best_for": [ "Healthy individuals", "Long-term investors", "Maximizing tax advantages" ] } ] } ], "financial_calculators": { "compound_interest": { "formula": "A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)", "variables": { "A": "Final amount", "P": "Principal (initial investment)", "r": "Annual interest rate (decimal)", "n": "Compounding frequency per year", "t": "Time in years" }, "example": { "principal": 10000, "annual_rate": 0.07, "years": 30, "compounding_frequency": 12, "result": 81402.94, "total_contributions": 10000, "total_interest_earned": 71402.94 } }, "retirement_savings": { "rule_of_72": { "description": "Estimate years to double money", "formula": "Years to double = 72 / interest rate", "example": "At 8% return, money doubles in 72/8 = 9 years" }, "4_percent_rule": { "description": "Safe withdrawal rate in retirement", "rule": "Withdraw 4% of portfolio in first year, adjust for inflation thereafter", "example": { "portfolio_value": 1000000, "first_year_withdrawal": 40000, "probability_lasting_30_years": "95%" } } } } } }