Fee transparency means presenting charges clearly enough for people to understand and compare the full cost of a product or service before they agree to it. In finance, this includes showing how fees depend on factors such as the amount borrowed and repayment period, not just highlighting a headline interest rate.
It matters because users can make poor decisions when charges are hard to find or calculate. For example, an instalment plan with a 0% nominal rate may still involve monthly fees. A clear digital checkout or consent flow should show those charges and the total repayment before confirmation. This helps users give informed consent and compare alternatives; it is a user-protection safeguard, not evidence by itself of a cyberattack.