Initiatives

In addition to these financing program, Self-Help also works with state and national organizations to develop effective regulatory and legislative policies that will help the poor build and protect their assets. Self-Help was instrumental in forming the Coalition for Responsible Lending, which spearheaded a successful effort to pass predatory mortgage lending legislation in North Carolina and is now assisting other states with anti-predatory lending proposals. Self-Help has also developed model federal homeownership tax credit legislation and played a pivotal role… more

CRL?s team of attorneys, researchers, and policy analysts combines practical knowledge of the financial services industry with sound research and analysis to provide effective policy solutions. Since its founding in 2002, CRL has provided technical assistance in more than 20 states and on Capitol Hill to achieve legislation that protects both borrowers and the marketplace. CRL has also conducted or commissioned studies on the impact of predatory lending laws and pressed for regulatory changes governing mortgage and payday lending.

CRL is… more

In addition to its America Saves program, the Consumer Federation of America conducts research and distributes consumer education publications on topics such as predatory lending, mainstream and non-traditional financial institutions, credit cards, bankruptcy, and credit counseling.

The organization was instrumental in the passage of the Assets for Independence Act in 1998 and continues to focus on the creation of other federal asset building policies, such as the Savings for Working Families Act. CFED also provides assistance for advocates at the state level by providing the Assets and Opportunity Scorecard and co-authoring the IDA State Policy Guide with the Center for Social Development.

CFED?s main focus, however, is on building the IDA field, managing demonstration projects across the… more

The National Credit Union Foundation, the charitable affiliate of CUNA, manages several asset-building programs. A two-year pilot program called ?Plan It. Save 4 It,? currently being tested in 3,000 credit unions nationwide, works to enhance and market existing savings products and services. The Foundation is also funding First Accounts programs through a grant from the Treasury Department in 32 credit unions which offer no or low fee accounts; low-cost remittances, check cashing, bill payment, and other services; financial literacy; and… more

In addition to this work, Demos is conducting research on the growth of personal debt over the last decade with a focus on low- and middle-income family credit card debt. This research will be used to promote a policy agenda aimed at renewing consumer protections through the establishment of a national usury law and policies to prevent deceptive industry practices. Demos has launched a Debt and Assets Clearinghouse, which provides comprehensive information on credit cards, debt, and asset protection issues.… more

One of the organization's major project is ?Online IDA,? a web-based record keeping, financial transaction and product delivery system. Online IDA leverages existing 401(k) technology to enable pooled investing for IDA participants, to provide real-time access to a central data source for IDA holders and other stakeholders, and to slash the administrative costs associated with offering IDAs to thousands of low-income families. It has the potential to change the fundamental economics of serving these families, making them an attractive segment… more

Some of the Center?s efforts are focused on determining how to develop successful Individual Development Account (IDA) program in Native American communities. The Center is also involved in efforts to mitigate the lack of access to capital and basic financial services that plague Native American reservations through research on predatory lending, financial services, and financial literacy.

In 2001, the Grameen Bank modified the basic structure of their loans in response to changing economic conditions and an evaluation of their program. Underlying the changes from the Grameen Classic System to the Grameen Generalized System (also called Grameen Bank II) are the themes of individuality and flexibility. While still a part of the group lending model, borrowers in this new system are not subject to an overall group loan cap, but instead are eligible for increasingly larger loans… more