Through independent research and innovation, the Filene Research Institute explores issues vital to the future of credit unions and consumer finance.
In 1986, the bottom 50% of earners (over 70 Million) took home 17% of the nation’s income. By 2007, they took home only 12%, Meanwhile the top 1% of earners now accounts for 23% of America’s income. A brute fact is that half of Americans are struggling, scrimping, and often being swallowed in our modern economy. Furthermore, half of America needs a financial institution they can trust.
More ...categories » Limited Income Households
Want to help members? Here’s one more simple way. Tax assistance programs are becoming an increasingly popular option for credit unions to offer to their members and the communities they serve. Financially beneficial services such as these are a vital part of our economic recovery.
More ...categories » Human Resource Issues, Limited Income Households
In 2008 Filene partially funded the projects of nine PhD candidates. Our goal was to not only help these PhD candidates but spread the word about credit unions to future academics. The results below highlight some of the completed projects of these academics:
More ...categories » Life Cycle and Evolution of Credit Unions, Limited Income Households, PhD Funding