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Federal, state, and local consumer protection agencies all have a role in safeguarding consumers against fraud, deception, and unfair practices.

To save and invest, individuals need access to the banking system and credit.

Banks are granted charters to help meet the needs and convenience of the communities where they are located, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Credit cards are a fixture of U.S. economic life.

In 2020, Americans owed $1.5 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, second only to mortgage debt.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) enforces most federal laws that protect consumers when they apply for and obtain credit.

According to a 2020 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 69 percent of Americans struggle to minimize their debt.

Financial capability is the ability to make informed decisions about the use and management of money.

Personal bankruptcy is a legal process for people who cannot pay off their debts.

Homeownership is a key to building wealth. Rates of homeownership increased during the 1990s and into the early 2000s.