Topics Archives: Community Development

Addition is Better than Subtraction: The Risks from Data Suppression and the Benefits of Adding More Positive Data in Credit Reporting

This report looks at the potential impacts of negative credit data suppression or deletion measures during the COVID-19 pandemic period. While the proposed measures are well-intended, they harm more consumers than they help. Instead, the report recommends adding positive telecommunications payments to make the system fairer and more forgiving, giving consumers a chance to rebuild their credit history, since negative telecommunications data is already reported. This solution also protects the integrity of the national credit reporting system, vital for post-pandemic economic recovery.

PERC Research Findings for COVID-19 Economic Recovery Efforts

PERC has conducted years of research on disaster recovery (following major hurricanes, such as Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005), credit access for lower income Americans, and credit reporting in general. This white paper discusses those findings and draws lessons for the economic recovery phase of the current COVID-19 crisis.

A New Pathway to Financial Inclusion

This study compares results with data from2005/2006 and 2009/2010 credit reports to assess the consumer credit impact of including fully reported alternative data in credit reports. The data was selected to capture the period during which unemployment and late payments spiked.

Louisiana Small Businesses Five Years Post-Katrina: Assessing LDRF Program Impacts And Measuring Existing Needs

This report examines the continuing impact of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters on small businesses and the self-employed in Louisiana. Primary to this research was an examination of the impacts of aid received from the Community Development Organizations (CDOs) funded in part by the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF) as well as aid received from other sources. It also examines the extent of existing unmet needs of small businesses in Louisiana. For this research PERC surveyed over 1,600 small business operators and analyzed data from tens of thousands of Experian small business credit files.

Credit Reporting Customer Payment Data

This study examines the impact and benefits that accrue to consumers, lenders, and utilities and telecommunications firms when telecoms and utilities report customer payment information to credit bureaus.

New to Credit from Alternative Data

The report offers a broad overview of PERC research on alternative data, specifically focusing on the new to credit consumer population and how their ability to obtain credit is increased through the reporting of alternative data.

Recovery, Renewal, and Resiliency: Gulf Coast Small Businesses Two Years Later

The first PERC survey of small businesses in New Orleans and other FEMA-declared disaster areas in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes finds disparate impacts among different segments of business owners. The results also yield insights into the efficacy of existing recovery policy, and identify policy shortcomings and unmet needs.

Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Increasing Access to Affordable Mainstream Credit Using Alternative Data

PERC’s landmark study on bringing the estimated 35 to 54 million Americans outside the mainstream credit system into the credit fold, Give Credit Where Credit Is Due offers feasible market solutions involving “alternative” or non-traditional payment data, such as payment obligations such as rent, gas, electric, insurance, and other recurring obligations, to evaluate the risk profile of a potential borrower.