Consumer Financial Behavior
Research into reported spending, saving, borrowing, investing and the factors consumers say influence their financial decisions.
Industry expertise
Financial Services Market Research
Consumer and B2B research for strategy, product decisions, thought leadership and communications in a highly regulated market.
Selected Financial Services Clients
What CITE Provides
CITE Research designs and conducts financial-services studies with consumers, investors, retirement-plan participants, financial advisers, HR and benefits leaders, finance executives and other specialized audiences.
We manage research strategy, audience definition, questionnaire development, recruitment, fieldwork, quality review and analysis, with study requirements structured around the client's intended use and stakeholder-review process.
At a Glance
Audiences
Consumers, investors, advisers, finance leaders, benefits decision-makers and industry professionals
Methods
Surveys, interviews, focus groups and mixed-method research
Markets
U.S. and international studies
Review
Legal, privacy and compliance requirements incorporated when confirmed
Deliverables
Findings, data, methodology, reports, presentations and communications support
Financial Services Research Capabilities
Fintech Adoption and Trust
Studies of digital banking, payments and wealth technology covering adoption, trust, customer needs and positioning.
Wealth and Retirement
Research with investors, retirement-plan participants, advisers and other relevant audiences.
Insurance and Benefits
Research with consumers, policyholders, employees, benefits decision-makers and industry professionals.
Product, Brand and Messaging
Evaluate customer needs, concepts, market perceptions, competitive positioning and communications.
Thought Leadership and Communications
Create original findings for reports, media outreach, executive content and industry conversations.
Designed for Stakeholder Review
Financial services operate in a trust-driven environment where weak methodology or unclear disclosure can undermine credibility. Questionnaires, disclosures, methodology documentation and data-handling procedures can be developed with confirmed client legal, privacy and compliance requirements in mind.
Clients and their advisers remain responsible for determining the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to their organization and use of the research.
How It Works
Define the objective
Align on the decision, audience, intended use and review requirements.
Design the study
Develop the methodology, sample and research instrument.
Conduct the research
Manage recruitment, fieldwork and quality review.
Analyze and deliver
Provide findings and documentation for the agreed business and communications uses.
Case Study
SoFi
SoFi at Work: Comparing employer and employee perspectives
CITE Research studied 1,500 HR leaders and employees to examine workplace financial-benefit priorities and the gaps between what employers offered and employees valued.
View the SoFi Case StudyFinancial services research questions
How does CITE Research approach compliance considerations in financial services research?
CITE Research designs financial services studies with regulatory sensitivity, data privacy and stakeholder review in mind.
What financial services topics does CITE Research cover?
CITE Research conducts research on consumer financial behavior and sentiment, wealth management, retirement readiness, fintech adoption and trust, banking, payments, employee financial wellness and insurance markets. Clients include financial technology companies, wealth and retirement organizations, financial institutions, insurance providers and communications agencies serving the sector.
What makes financial services research useful to journalists?
Financial journalists typically look for credible methodology, transparent sponsorship and findings that illuminate an important market trend or change in consumer behavior. CITE Research designs neutral studies around timely financial questions and provides methodology documentation that helps journalists and editors evaluate the findings.
Do you conduct B2B or consumer research in financial services?
Both. Consumer studies may examine financial behavior, product adoption, trust, benefits or retirement planning. B2B studies may reach advisers, finance leaders, benefits decision-makers, fintech buyers and other specialized professionals, depending on audience feasibility. Mixed-audience studies can compare industry and consumer perspectives on the same issue.
Can financial services research be used publicly?
Yes, when the study design and communications plan account for transparent sponsorship disclosure, methodology statements and the client’s review process. CITE Research can structure the research documentation to support evaluation of public-facing findings.
How do you handle sensitive financial information?
Studies should avoid collecting unnecessary personally identifiable or account-level financial information. Data-handling requirements, consent language and privacy considerations are confirmed during study design with the client’s relevant stakeholders.
What sample size is appropriate for financial services market research?
The appropriate sample size depends on the target population, incidence, required subgroup analysis, geography and the claims the research needs to support. CITE Research recommends a design aligned to the specific research objective rather than applying a one-size-fits-all figure.
Can CITE Research conduct international financial services research?
Yes. CITE Research can support international research design and works with appropriate partners to recruit and field studies across markets. International requirements, language, sample feasibility and stakeholder review are considered during planning.
Ready to Build Your Financial Services Study?
Tell us what you need to understand. We'll design a study around your audience, objectives and review requirements.