Compass Principles
Improving financial health for millions of struggling Americans requires designing products and services around their unique financial needs. Explore our Compass Principles, a set of guidelines for building high-quality financial tools, and see how providers are using these principles to usher in the next wave of financial innovation.
A Framework for Quality
In partnership with industry leaders, we developed the Compass Principles to define guidelines for tools that help people manage their finances today while planning for tomorrow.
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Embrace inclusion to expand access responsibly to underserved consumers
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Promote Success by encouraging positive consumer behavior through intelligent design and communication
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Build trust by developing mutually beneficial products that deliver clear and consistent value
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Create opportunity for more people by providing options for upward mobility
Why the Compass Principles Matter for Providers
Millions of Americans lack access to the financial services and products they need to become financially healthy. At the same time, the industry is challenged by evolving regulations and growing fragmentation in the marketplace. By leveraging the Compass Principles, providers can build effective, high-quality tools that support financial well-being for consumers as well as their businesses.
How We Can Help
Through our Advisory Services, we partner with providers to design and implement products and programs based on the Compass Principles framework. We also produce ongoing research to show how forward-thinking organizations are putting the Compass Principles into practice.
Explore All Related Research
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2017 Payroll Industry Scorecard
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The Financial Health Network Comment Letter on Evaluating Charter Applications from Financial Technology Companies
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Financial Health and Community College Students
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Compass Principles: Transaction Product Examples
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2016 Prepaid Industry Scorecard
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A Snapshot of Quality and Innovation Among Small-Dollar Credit Installment Lenders
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The Compass Guide to Payroll Cards
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One-Page Overview of the Compass Principles
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Compass Principles – Guiding Excellence in Financial Services
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The Compass Guide to Small-Dollar Credit
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Prepaid Industry Scorecard: Assessing Quality in the Prepaid Industry with the Financial Health Network’s Compass Principles
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Sunrise Community Banks: Navigating the Learning Curve
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AARP Foundation Equips Older Consumers With Financial Know-How
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Plastyc: Good Banking for All
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The Compass Guide to Prepaid
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Infographic: Compass Guide to Prepaid
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Improving Consumer Outcomes Through Better Disclosure for Prepaid Cards
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Compass Principles: Savings Products Examples
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Infographic: Compass Principles
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Highlights from the Sixth Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum 2011
Connect With A Thought Leader
Interested in connecting with the Financial Health Network for a media interview, speaking opportunity, research or consulting request? Reach out and we’ll connect you with the right Compass Principles expert.
Additional Research Topics
Financial health depends on a complex set of factors and circumstances. That’s why the Financial Health Network produces research in a variety of areas impacting our financial lives.