Title: CredAbility Consumer Distress Index for New Jersey Series ID: CCDIOANJQ156N 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 1:19 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 81.717821792026 1980-04-01 79.206980625164 1980-07-01 79.932348301011 1980-10-01 78.681010189500 1981-01-01 78.982959754914 1981-04-01 80.140327005292 1981-07-01 79.768949152337 1981-10-01 77.858144901020 1982-01-01 77.593291492001 1982-04-01 77.575698464014 1982-07-01 77.903523788729 1982-10-01 76.386067103144 1983-01-01 77.904997124410 1983-04-01 79.519119412115 1983-07-01 79.913365134095 1983-10-01 79.753202778741 1984-01-01 81.778017646430 1984-04-01 83.027828328018 1984-07-01 82.049371326281 1984-10-01 82.260803463048 1985-01-01 83.970218092790 1985-04-01 85.220954481257 1985-07-01 84.310595577298 1985-10-01 83.566360288211 1986-01-01 84.522451733423 1986-04-01 85.646830610205 1986-07-01 86.296612040390 1986-10-01 86.128914128592 1987-01-01 86.729062830067 1987-04-01 88.277604254338 1987-07-01 88.389383001651 1987-10-01 86.796664933821 1988-01-01 88.240957935887 1988-04-01 88.788166573421 1988-07-01 88.869235177429 1988-10-01 87.508212040755 1989-01-01 88.047570160915 1989-04-01 88.507481974212 1989-07-01 87.211822871413 1989-10-01 86.557356965583 1990-01-01 87.632446192547 1990-04-01 87.497570284679 1990-07-01 84.042035217673 1990-10-01 79.996247490683 1991-01-01 79.551598366951 1991-04-01 80.089922866377 1991-07-01 79.843990864088 1991-10-01 77.611808190728 1992-01-01 77.811721301087 1992-04-01 77.970956787020 1992-07-01 77.440907126706 1992-10-01 78.271713961776 1993-01-01 79.728503590407 1993-04-01 80.203210791431 1993-07-01 80.381431513172 1993-10-01 81.791218003020 1994-01-01 83.482891362051 1994-04-01 83.764426360438 1994-07-01 84.349112260450 1994-10-01 84.427331648810 1995-01-01 85.390178446360 1995-04-01 83.915763014639 1995-07-01 82.776132348614 1995-10-01 81.898102288064 1996-01-01 82.933639985833 1996-04-01 82.322858012962 1996-07-01 83.091751581790 1996-10-01 82.581264012828 1997-01-01 83.331631432868 1997-04-01 83.921118630513 1997-07-01 84.224262368175 1997-10-01 84.611174711975 1998-01-01 87.336497760021 1998-04-01 86.742691121169 1998-07-01 86.322408296175 1998-10-01 85.335464434234 1999-01-01 86.561516479753 1999-04-01 84.843695720057 1999-07-01 83.730767310371 1999-10-01 83.948737028201 2000-01-01 85.885389318093 2000-04-01 85.116748280242 2000-07-01 84.392968705842 2000-10-01 81.739355587837 2001-01-01 82.537052721852 2001-04-01 80.667008114098 2001-07-01 83.129248140074 2001-10-01 79.361922957291 2002-01-01 83.145690415993 2002-04-01 81.815346115797 2002-07-01 80.602282220265 2002-10-01 79.828133896873 2003-01-01 80.699549597603 2003-04-01 81.809407392002 2003-07-01 82.696408657118 2003-10-01 82.795047696616 2004-01-01 84.466783962117 2004-04-01 85.638690217863 2004-07-01 85.768423593092 2004-10-01 85.901103651703 2005-01-01 82.554789205866 2005-04-01 81.719726931160 2005-07-01 81.993470149659 2005-10-01 82.026155923315 2006-01-01 85.098600186132 2006-04-01 85.369409165589 2006-07-01 84.726913168608 2006-10-01 83.290939009589 2007-01-01 85.038958298707 2007-04-01 83.501674852080 2007-07-01 81.903000537460 2007-10-01 80.908768408067 2008-01-01 77.789325031891 2008-04-01 78.325175625725 2008-07-01 75.387940102587 2008-10-01 75.461784717785 2009-01-01 68.915583106616 2009-04-01 69.836256681954 2009-07-01 68.036503316749 2009-10-01 68.100929569738 2010-01-01 69.446917879922 2010-04-01 70.392450414417 2010-07-01 70.390454676047 2010-10-01 70.490530775103 2011-01-01 69.814349739963 2011-04-01 71.363820440833 2011-07-01 69.138939985217 2011-10-01 68.616208333492 2012-01-01 70.195270156996 2012-04-01 71.149272809273 2012-07-01 70.929130000000 2012-10-01 71.091599525276 2013-01-01 70.726230000000