Consumer Data

Financial Health Pulse

The U.S. Financial Health Pulse Goes to Washington

By Eric Wilson, Associate, Financial Health Network Despite economic indicators showing exceptional GDP growth and record low unemployment, the 2018 U.S. Financial Health Pulse shows that a vast majority of Americans are struggling with their financial health. In April, the Financial Health Network, along with Pulse funders and partners, took the findings of this benchmarking…

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Financial Health Pulse

Webinar: Understanding Your Financially Coping and Vulnerable Customers

During this member-exclusive webinar, authors of the U.S. Financial Health Pulse 2018 Baseline Survey explored findings from this groundbreaking research initiative. The second in a three-part series, this conversation shared a deep dive on never-before-released Pulse data representing individuals who are financially Coping or Vulnerable.

Financial Health Pulse

Challenges Threaten the Financial Health of Low- to Moderate-Income 50+ and Require Innovative Solutions

By Andrew Dunn, Senior Associate, Financial Health Network For years, financial planners described the financial lives of individuals over 50 as following a predictable life cycle. The “traditional” path typically included diligently saving in an employer-provided retirement account, paying off a mortgage, then fully retiring while reducing expenses in order to live comfortably. However, this…

Member Exclusive
Financial Health Pulse

Webinar: Key Findings from the Pulse & What They Mean for Your Business

During this member-exclusive webinar, authors of the U.S. Financial Health Pulse 2018 Baseline Survey explored findings from this groundbreaking research initiative. The first in a three-part series, this conversation explored into new cuts of the data and shared findings and trends on how Americans are saving and borrowing.

Financial Health Pulse

3 Factors that Shape Financial Health in America

By Thea Garon Director, Financial Health Network Despite a surging stock market and record-low unemployment, millions of Americans are struggling financially. Nearly half of Americans (47%) say their spending equaled or exceeded their income in the last year. One in three people (30%) say they have more debt than is manageable. More than a third…

From Equifax to Cambridge Analytica: Why financial services must stay ahead of the consumer data curve

By Kaitlin Asrow, Financial Health Network Data breaches have become inevitable in our increasingly digital lives, but unlike other global events — from terrorism to the 2008 economic crisis — they have not yet become a catalyst for market-wide changes to business practices in industries that center on consumer data. But that may be changing. Recent events, from the…

For Consumer Protection and Health, Look to the States

By Jeanne Hogarth, Financial Health Network The recent turmoil in leadership at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the initial actions of the acting director point to at least one conclusion: For consumers to continue to have access to high quality, innovative products that help them improve their financial health, focus needs to shift…

Building an Ecosystem of Partnerships around Financial Wellness

An EMERGE Conference Interview with Brian Costello By Elizabeth Vivirito, Financial Health Network Brian Costello is the Chief Information Security Officer at Envestnet. Brian is helping Envestnet | Yodlee create a more financially informed generation and ultimately a stronger global economy by supporting the consumers’ right to access financial solutions that allow them to improve…

Secured Credit Cards: People of Color

A long history of discrimination and wealth-stripping has caused African Americans, Hispanics, and other people of color to have lower credit scores, less wealth, and less trust in the U.S. financial system than whites.

The Financial Health Network Comment Letter to the CFPB’s Request for Information Regarding Use of Alternative Data and Modeling Techniques in the Credit Process

The Financial Health Network submitted its response to the CFPB’s request for information regarding use of alternative data and modeling techniques in the credit process on February 16, 2017. In the letter, the Financial Health Network acknowledges that the use of alternative data in the credit process poses both risks and benefits to consumers. The letter also states the Financial Health Network’s belief that consumers will be better able to achieve financial health if they have access to innovative credit products that are safe, affordable, and of high quality, enabling them to manage their day-to-day finances, weather financial shocks, and pursue longterm opportunities.

The Financial Health Network Comment Letter to the CFPB Regarding Consumer Access to Financial Records

The Financial Health Network submitted its response to the CFPB’s Request for Information Regarding Consumer Access to Financial Records. In the letter, the Financial Health Network describes how companies should design data-sharing partnerships to support consumer choice and innovation. The letter also urges the CFPB to support the industry’s efforts to develop solutions by affirming consumers’ right to access their financial data through principles-based guidance.