The Daily Stat: More Consumers Labeled as High Credit Risks

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JULY 14, 2010 More Consumers Labeled as High Credit Risks The number of Americans in the lowest credit-score categories has risen by 2.4 million in the past two years, according to a report by The Associated Press on data from credit-score firm Fair Isaac. Some 25.5% of U.S. consumers — nearly 43.4 million people — score 599 or lower on the 300-to-850 credit scale; a score below 600 indicates a poor credit risk. Source: The Associated Press Share Today's Stat: RELATED PRODUCT Consumer Credit: The Next Crisis Harvard Business Review Article The degree to which consumers have come to depend on easy, inexpensive credit is a far greater threat to the economy than most realize. To pay it off, the average U.S. consumer would have to hand over every penny of his take-home pay for 16 months. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials Financial Intelligence Collection HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing PREVIOUS STATS The Slim Wages of U.S. Pro Soccer Eurozone Execs Report Slow Recovery Economics Degree Is Best Route to CEO Job Wal-Mart Goes All Out to Battle $7,000 Fine World Cup Ball Gives Adidas Top "Share of Buzz" More Dads Become Primary Caregivers Whistle-Blowers' Impact Depends on the Press Don't Sit Up Straight Only 82% of U.S. Women Give Birth Job-Seeking Hardly a "Full-Time Job" for Most Unemployed Job Seekers, Take Note Whether you've been laid off or are considering a job change, HBR's Guide to Getting a Job will help ensure that your next move is the right one. Only $19.95. Buy now » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)