Title: CredAbility Consumer Distress Index for Credit (DISCONTINUED) Series ID: CCDICRQ156N Source: CredAbility Nonprofit Credit Counseling & Education Release: CredAbility Consumer Distress Index (Not a Press Release) Seasonal Adjustment: Not Seasonally Adjusted Frequency: Quarterly Units: Percent Date Range: 1980-01-01 to 2013-01-01 Last Updated: 2013-05-17 1:18 PM CDT Notes: Overview of the Index The Index is a quarterly comprehensive picture of the average American household’s financial condition. Built by assessing the key elements of financial health and distress, it converts a complex set of factors into a single, easy to understand number. Scope and History The index measures the U.S., all 50 states and more than 70 MSAs. The national and state versions date back to 1980 and the MSA versions date back to 1990. Public Data and Proprietary Methodology We use more than 65 data points from government, public and private data and a proprietary methodology for compiling, combining and evaluating data. With nearly 50 years of experience and insight into helping consumers in financial distress, we know the biggest causes of distress, how people react to financial challenges and proven strategies for regaining control. (Note: Our client data is not a data source for the Index) Measured on a 100 Point Scale Financial distress is measured on a 100 point scale and a score under 70 indicates financial distress. The lower the score equals more distress, a weaker financial position, more urgency to act, takes longer and is harder to resolve, and increases the probability of needing a third party help to resolve. The Index score is tied to one of 5 general rating categories, which reflect the strength and stability of the consumer’s position. Less than 60 Emergency / Crisis 60 – 69 Distressed / Unstable 70 – 79 Weakening / At-Risk 80 – 89 Good / Stable 90 and Above Excellent / Secure What Does the Index Measure? We measure the 5 categories of personal finance that reflect or lead to a secure, stable financial life—Employment, Housing, Credit, Household Budget and Net Worth. All are equally important, so have given each category equal weighting. Employment. Stable income is the foundation of any family’s finances. This category measures the impact of unemployment and underemployment on financial health. Key Measures: Unemployment, Underemployment Sample Data Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Housing. Safe, affordable housing is a priority for all families. This category measures how consumers are paying their mortgage/rent and the impact of housing costs on their finances. Key Measures: Mortgage and Rental Delinquencies, Housing as Percent of Budget Sample Data Source: National Delinquency Survey Credit. Responsible use of credit creates more borrowing options and lower costs. This category assesses the strength of credit scores and how well families manage their credit. Key Measures: Credit Scores, Trade Line Utilization, Credit Delinquencies, Per Capita Bankruptcies Sample Data Source: National Credit Bureau Household Budget. Spending less than you make is the daily choice that leads to long-term success. This category measures families’ spending patterns and saving for emergencies. Key Measures: Disposable Income, Savings, Consumer Confidence Sample Data Source: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis Net Worth. Strong, positive net worth creates options and independence. This category measures how well consumers are strengthening their personal balance sheets. Key Measures: Household Net Worth, Net Worth versus Funds Required for Long-Term Needs (e.g. retirement) Sample Data Source: Federal Reserve Flow of Funds, Survey of Consumer Finances DATE VALUE 1980-01-01 96.545121925857 1980-04-01 96.512003377535 1980-07-01 97.330224742992 1980-10-01 98.255487348816 1981-01-01 98.109739569969 1981-04-01 97.609556443347 1981-07-01 98.026990444936 1981-10-01 97.813164886677 1982-01-01 97.596389399774 1982-04-01 97.468711993664 1982-07-01 97.735500028276 1982-10-01 97.871008119309 1983-01-01 97.989151594532 1983-04-01 97.963860283837 1983-07-01 98.004946485931 1983-10-01 97.824110363414 1984-01-01 97.787705013590 1984-04-01 97.410222586034 1984-07-01 97.096174386891 1984-10-01 96.632529341800 1985-01-01 95.605877434739 1985-04-01 95.342830601836 1985-07-01 94.304768781839 1985-10-01 93.985857643125 1986-01-01 93.950256109522 1986-04-01 93.696564753192 1986-07-01 93.337494124010 1986-10-01 92.913066772747 1987-01-01 91.067149935279 1987-04-01 91.194252966086 1987-07-01 91.551728476456 1987-10-01 91.972430092489 1988-01-01 92.441976507980 1988-04-01 92.721656341651 1988-07-01 93.143358948304 1988-10-01 92.964209336759 1989-01-01 91.830202596419 1989-04-01 90.512961486428 1989-07-01 89.854401752068 1989-10-01 89.841018548403 1990-01-01 89.923030770790 1990-04-01 89.802009156615 1990-07-01 88.278224066355 1990-10-01 86.344246254025 1991-01-01 82.168456347695 1991-04-01 80.645324106793 1991-07-01 82.633298546105 1991-10-01 83.113675343665 1992-01-01 83.029552132136 1992-04-01 84.553262687794 1992-07-01 87.066563835594 1992-10-01 89.781661664609 1993-01-01 90.467041461900 1993-04-01 91.504817057402 1993-07-01 94.966650835019 1993-10-01 97.321102131287 1994-01-01 96.841354373764 1994-04-01 96.344431194384 1994-07-01 96.594949000500 1994-10-01 96.352203198637 1995-01-01 95.782723890475 1995-04-01 92.534852475950 1995-07-01 91.176718893723 1995-10-01 89.538213604739 1996-01-01 87.574599716386 1996-04-01 84.008414688768 1996-07-01 82.249343667871 1996-10-01 81.062130138870 1997-01-01 79.484116780849 1997-04-01 77.841150971200 1997-07-01 78.790778619049 1997-10-01 78.732450129231 1998-01-01 78.967533145650 1998-04-01 77.953831104905 1998-07-01 78.629426378858 1998-10-01 78.980836736864 1999-01-01 79.736608821205 1999-04-01 79.674558931167 1999-07-01 80.769293309907 1999-10-01 81.746504025458 2000-01-01 83.075699951724 2000-04-01 81.358518949986 2000-07-01 81.768336999005 2000-10-01 80.782190528918 2001-01-01 77.335535495597 2001-04-01 75.105903736073 2001-07-01 76.479694114556 2001-10-01 76.585095548251 2002-01-01 76.453321003355 2002-04-01 76.249500415509 2002-07-01 75.742210169337 2002-10-01 76.480919941607 2003-01-01 76.039580866196 2003-04-01 76.373921162500 2003-07-01 79.215725620037 2003-10-01 78.992483407284 2004-01-01 79.680085411898 2004-04-01 79.792473848926 2004-07-01 80.925529693704 2004-10-01 82.286596787685 2005-01-01 80.495584831575 2005-04-01 78.231402154165 2005-07-01 76.773438867479 2005-10-01 74.608846503331 2006-01-01 82.626896066574 2006-04-01 82.447363482409 2006-07-01 82.732294651733 2006-10-01 82.958171785438 2007-01-01 82.941685960820 2007-04-01 82.872210958435 2007-07-01 81.794344696807 2007-10-01 81.038250878218 2008-01-01 80.530634642153 2008-04-01 79.931077699408 2008-07-01 78.667562733906 2008-10-01 76.365433744310 2009-01-01 74.393951439496 2009-04-01 73.682894398297 2009-07-01 74.018165132498 2009-10-01 75.272837924853 2010-01-01 76.267879916960 2010-04-01 77.646782263223 2010-07-01 79.016766579335 2010-10-01 81.763392123233 2011-01-01 81.992473419675 2011-04-01 82.941855522082 2011-07-01 84.948613528265 2011-10-01 86.083503724775 2012-01-01 86.990638737365 2012-04-01 86.659069299933 2012-07-01 88.466343067165 2012-10-01 89.610107814630 2013-01-01 90.774923339776