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James Royal, Ph.D.

Principal writer, Investing and wealth management
Ribbon Icon EXPERTISE
  • Investing
  • Wealth management
  • Behavioral finance
  • Stock analysis
Education Icon EDUCATION
  • Bachelor of Science in management, University of Florida
  • Master of Arts in English, University of Florida
  • Doctorate in English, University of Florida

Bankrate principal writer and editor James F. Royal, Ph.D. covers investing, financial markets, wealth management, cryptocurrency and retirement issues such as IRAs, 401(k) plans and Social Security — helping individuals make smart financial decisions that can positively and significantly improve their lives. He’s been at Bankrate since 2019, and has been investing in the markets for more than two decades, starting to invest during the “dotcom” boom and bust.

In particular, James is focused on how to invest well, helping individuals build wealth. His articles focus on the real steps to build wealth as well as the financial moves to avoid, those peddled by people just looking to sell you something. Importantly, he also focuses on behavioral finance — an individual’s attitudes and experiences to money and investing — as a key place that people sabotage their own financial future, such as by approaching investing with fear and greed.

His work has been cited across major media, including CNBC, the Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN International and the Associated Press, and he has appeared on TV and radio in countless media outlets. James is also the author of The Zen of Thrift Conversions and Options Trading 101. He previously worked as an editor and analyst at the Motley Fool.

When he’s not thinking and writing about investing, James enjoys reading, French cinema and playing Jeopardy, having appeared on the TV game show.

James beyond Bankrate

Despite tariff whiplash, Trump downplays recession threat

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Exploring new retirement strategies amid

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5 smart ways to use your holiday bonus to invest in your future

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Why You Should Not Worry About Timing The Stock Market

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Now Is a Good Time to Check Your 401(k).

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Our goal is to get wiser every day and avoid the mistakes of the past.

— James Royal, Ph.D.

James's latest articles

  • Best Online Trading Platforms In July 2025

    The best trading platforms offer traders a way to quickly and intuitively place orders, track a watchlist of stocks and funds, receive alerts for securities that may be interesting trades, offer tools to analyze complex options trades and much more.

    6 min read Mar 01, 2024
  • Vanguard Review 2025

    Though investors who want to be in control may feel Vanguard falls short, hands-off investors who like the investment firm's low-cost mutual funds and ETFs will feel right at home.

    6 min read Mar 29, 2019
  • 10 Best Investments In 2025

    Bankrate's list of the best investments right now is a healthy mix of growth and safety to help guide investors as they decide where to put their money.

    17 min read Mar 05, 2024
  • A woman looks at her phone at her desk

    Best small-cap ETFs in July 2025

    Small-cap ETFs give you a way to buy the small-cap “haystack” rather than search through it for the high performers.

    3 min read Jul 01, 2025