Research

At MMI, we routinely use data to help build effective solutions, understand developing trends, and uncover valuable insights about our industry, our clients, and ourselves. When able, we share these insights in the form of white papers.

Latest white paper

Project Equidad white paper cover image.

Project Equidad: Using Cultural Insights to Help Hispanics Overcome Financial Challenges

In 2023, Money Management International (MMI) was awarded a grant from JPMorgan Chase to increase MMI’s reach and service delivery to marginalized populations, with a specific focus on the Hispanic community.

MMI is advancing the growing discourse around how to best serve the Hispanic community through this publication, highlighting key research results. Included in this white paper are ways we hope to engage stakeholders in partnership so that individuals in need of debt management support get the help they need.


Previous white papers

Two men and their children.

Partnering with MMI Leads to Effective Customer Solutions

To better understand the debt landscape that Americans are facing, Money Management International (MMI) commissioned a survey.

Key numbers:

  • Roughly three-quarters of Americans (74%) have needed credit card debt advice.
  • Among them, an overwhelming majority (91%) did not always seek it from a professional.
  • The majority of Americans who sought credit card debt advice from a professional (75%) say they wish they had contacted them sooner
Flooded city.

Creating Financial Resilience in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters

As natural disasters increase in scope and severity, expedited financial recovery is a critical component of holistic restoration.

Key numbers:

  • Census areas that are majority Black, Latino, or Native American are 50% more vulnerable to wildfires than other areas.
  • Flooding in urban areas disproportionately impacts minority and low-income neighborhoods.
  • Following a natural disaster, low-income Americans with credit scores between 300 to 649 experience a 15.5 point credit score drop.
MMI Springfour white paper cover.

Overcoming Housing Insecurity One Family at a Time

A case study of how MMI and SpringFour work together to serve consumers in need.

Key numbers:

  • MMI clients received over 160,000 SpringFour referrals in 2020 alone. This is an increase of 100% over usage in 2019.
  • In 2020, the three new categories developed following the COVID-19 pandemic accounted for approximately 25% of all SpringFour referrals for MMI clients.
  • In Q1 2021, MMI made roughly the same number of Rental Resources referrals as it did in all of 2020 - almost 25,000.
Woman looking out window.

From Disruption to Redemption: Helping America Overcome Disaster

COVID-19 created an unprecedented economic disaster that requires a comprehensive response.

Key numbers:

  • By April 2020, three in ten Americans had lost income due to coronavirus.
  • An assessment of the financial impact from COVID-19 found that “Women, young adults, and groups of color are particularly likely to be low-wage workers.
  • Nearly 50% of lower-income Americans reported household job or wage loss due to COVID-19.
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.