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Our Research In Action

We're at the heart of consumer trends in personal finance, and we're proud to say our work has been recognized by some of the most respected names around. From the White House to The New York Times, see how media outlets make use of our hard work:

We surveyed 2,000 consumers to find out the most important banking features: security and fraud protection, customer service, and online banking access.

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  • The White House: How Junk Fees Distort Competition
    Bank fees have attracted the attention of various regulators, including the CFPB, which has launched a junk fees initiative to better understand the problem and potential policy actions. When selecting a bank, consumers frequently cite “low fees” as an important attribute of a bank. However, banks charge fees in many different situations, often detailed in the “fine print” when setting up an account, making it difficult to compare banks on the full schedule of fees they charge. For example, many banks charge consumers a fee if they receive an incoming wire transfer. Wire transfers are simply electronic transfers of money between two customers of different banks. Consumers are typically unaware of the cost that a bank incurs to process such a transaction, so when the fee is levied—often $15, $25, or more—consumers may not necessarily realize that this fee can far exceed the cost to the bank. A consumer is typically captive at the moment they need to send or receive a wire transfer and have no choice but to pay the fee, as it would be costly and time-intensive to move their banking relationship to another bank with lower fees.
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Credit card processing fees can add up to a big expense for merchants. Here are the average fees and costs for many issuers and payment networks in 2025.

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Research Analyst & Spokesperson

Need a quote or want to chat with our research analyst? Reach out to [email protected] to coordinate an interview.

Jack Caporal

Jack Caporal

Writer

Jack Caporal is the Research Director for The Motley Fool and has worked full-time for the company since 2021. His research focuses on uncovering and analyzing trends that shape personal financial decisions across the United States. Prior to The Motley Fool, Jack covered business and economic trends as a reporter and policy analyst in Washington, D.C. His primary research has been featured across top-tier media like the New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, and has been cited in Congressional testimony.

Recent Research

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May 8, 2025 | By Jack Caporal

Financial Literacy Statistics: The Average American Scores Just 48%

Scores have stayed around 50% for nearly 10 years. Read on for a deep dive into financial literacy data.
April 24, 2025 | By Jack Caporal

Tariffs Are Already Raising Home Prices -- Here's How Much and Why

Tariffs on homebuilding materials could add thousands to the cost of a new home. Here's how tariffs may impact buyers, builders, and mortgage rates.
April 11, 2025 | By Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of Airfare: How Much Is a Plane Ticket?

The average cost of a domestic plane ticket is $366 as of the third quarter of 2024. Motley Fool Money has the latest airfare data by airport and route.
March 31, 2025 | By Jack Caporal

The Average Cost of a Vacation in 2025: Trends and Statistics

The average cost of a vacation in 2025 is projected to be $7,249, up nearly $1,400 from 2024. Read on for a full breakdown of average vacation costs.
March 5, 2025 | By Jack Caporal

Average Closing Costs on a House

What are the average closing costs on a house? What's included in closing costs? We have state-by-state figures to give you the best data.