Top Features
House of Cards
Report details the relationship between slowly growing U.S. mortgage markets and the suddenly aggressive growth of credit card debt.Other Credit & Debt Features
May 2, 2008
Plastic Reforms
Regulators and lawmakers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to help Americans avoid “credit card hell.”
April 29, 2008
El Estado de las Minorías
April 29, 2008
The State of Minorities
Hispanic and African-American households are likely to suffer first and to suffer more in the current economic downturn, write Tim Westrich and Amanda Logan.
April 22, 2008
Record Gas Prices Add Pressure to Already Squeezed Consumers
As gas prices rise and the economy falls, consumers are running out of ways to save money and pay for extra expenses, writes Christian E. Weller.
April 18, 2008
Problems with Plastic: Credit Card Debt Hits Record High
Credit card debt hits record high as U.S. consumers try to cope with economic downturn, writes Tim Westrich.
April 17, 2008
Bush's Bankruptcy Legacy: Three Years and Nearly 1.5 Million Bankruptcy Filings Later
Three years after changes in bankruptcy law, nearly 1.5 million individuals have filed for personal bankruptcy.
April 2, 2008
Helping Homeowners: Congress Takes Big Step Forward
Quick action to help American homeowners is now in train on Capitol Hill, writes Andrew Jakabovics. That's good news for the economy.
March 13, 2008
Credit Card Crash-Test
Every day, average American families' financial health is challenged on all fronts: fewer job opportunities, declining home values, and rising prices for necessities like health care, education and child care. With the prospect that gas could approach $4 per gallon this summer, many Americans' budgets will reach a breaking point. Too many families are only a layoff or medical emergency away from financial ruin.
March 13, 2008
Finally Real Answers: Congress Moves on Housing Crisis
Sen. Dodd and Rep. Frank introduce sweeping proposals to U.S. housing crisis, taking steps beyond Bush rhetoric, writes Andrew Jakabovics
March 13, 2008
What’s in Your Wallet? Congress Investigates Credit Card Terms
A hearing in Congress this week calls for a reality check on convoluted cardholder agreements, writes Tim Westrich.
February 27, 2008
The Golden Parachute: CEO Severance and the Housing Crisis by the Numbers
As the housing crisis worsened, several CEOs found their companies in a mess of trouble, then left with hefty checks. CAP takes a look.
February 22, 2008
Christian Weller Guest Blogs on Credit Slips
February 19, 2008
Do the Math on Recession and Foreclosures
February 19, 2008
Sliding into the Great Deflation
January 31, 2008
Addressing Foreclosures: A Great American Dream Neighborhood Stabilization Plan
David Abromowitz presents the Great American Neighborhood Stabilization Plan to address the glut of foreclosed properties across the country.
January 29, 2008
Quick Action For Housing Crisis: Market Indicators Are Tumbling
The latest data shows that homeowners and neighborhoods need targeted federal help now, write David Abromowitz and Andrew Jakabovics.
January 23, 2008
Solving the Housing Crisis: Key Legislator Embraces CAP Plan
The Senate Banking Committee chairman unveils Federal Homeownership Preservation Corp, a plan based on CAP proposal.
January 15, 2008
No Day at the Spa: Rejuvenating the Economy Won’t be Easy
Christian Weller examines the latest consumer spending numbers and possible long-term housing trends. Government intervention is the solution.
January 7, 2008
Get Real: Bush Economic Proposals Are All Wrong
More tax cuts and more deregulation are the wrong way to aid the economy. Helping the middle class is the key to prosperity.
December 21, 2007
Unbridled Markets: Conservatives Embrace Securitization Run Amok
The subprime mortgage securitization debacle may be the most profound legacy of the Bush era, writes Scott Lilly.
December 19, 2007
You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Christian E. Weller and Amanda Logan on the choice facing consumers this holiday season: borrow less or go broke.
December 11, 2007
Economic Snapshot for December 2007
Families are still feeling the pressure of low growth, says Christian E. Weller, but we can put the economy back on track.
November 28, 2007
Progressive Growth
A new plan for the next administration to transform America's economy through clean energy, innovation, and opportunity.
October 10, 2007
Economic Snapshot for October 2007
Christian E. Weller assesses federal and personal debt, the housing market, and the state of the economy.
October 2, 2007
Only the First Step: FHA Reform by Congress is Not Enough
Home foreclosure crisis requires more than reforms at the Federal Housing Administration, writes Tim Westrich, even though that’s a positive first step.
September 24, 2007
Never Pay Another Overdraft Fee
New overdraft protection legislation will give Americans a clear choice about whether they want to pay fees to have their transactions covered.
September 17, 2007
How Congress Can Help Homeowners
CAP’s strategies for Congress to consider as it discusses ways to prevent the home loan crisis from damaging the broader economy.
September 17, 2007
This Week in Congress: 9.17.07-9.21.07
From U.S. strategy in Iraq to improving elementary school education, CAP provides you with resources to stay on top of the week on the Hill.
September 11, 2007
Economic Snapshot for October 2007
Christian E. Weller examines economic risks, including the end of the housing boom, massive household debt, and continued budget deficits.
August 31, 2007
It’s Not a Wonderful Life: Bush Misses Chance to Help Struggling Homeowners
The growing home mortgage crisis requires direct government action to help homeowners, says Andrew Jakabovics.
August 27, 2007
Eye of a Housing Hurricane
New and existing home sales data shows the housing sector is in deep trouble, writes Andrew Jakabovics.
August 21, 2007
Managing Financial Risks as Markets Move
Report argues that asset-based reserve requirements for all lenders would protect the U.S. economy from volatile swings in asset prices.
August 15, 2007
Access Denied
A new report by Christian E. Weller finds that low-income and minority families face more credit constraints and higher borrowing costs than other families.
July 11, 2007
Economic Snapshot for July 2007
Employment and wages are slowly moving the economy along, but the end of the housing boom continues to keep growth slow.
June 28, 2007
Earth to Bernanke: Subprime Mortgage Crisis Could Spread to Other Homeowners
Bernanke needs to reconsider his view that the subprime mortgage crisis won’t extend to other homeowners, says Andrew Jakabovics.
May 25, 2007
Mortgage Market Troubles May Be Knocking On Your Door
Middle- and upper-income families who borrowed against the equity in their homes may be the next housing market victims, warns Christian E. Weller.
May 21, 2007
Laying the Foundations for Housing Market Reform
Self-regulation by the banking industry is no substitute for prudent federal regulation, but an important building block to addressing the crisis.
May 14, 2007
Economic Snapshot for May 2007
Recent labor figures show slump for middle-class families, adding to existing problems with low income gains, declining benefits, and rising debt.
April 19, 2007
Economic Snapshot for April, 2007
Recent trends are better than expected, but families still feel pressures, and weak jobs growth leaves breadwinners vulnerable.
April 17, 2007
Mortgages Matter: Homeowners at Risk Need Help
Congressional hearings on the secondary market in home mortgages should concentrate on helping homeowners at risk.
April 11, 2007
The Crisis Hits Home
Report shows rising foreclosure rates, especially in the South and Midwest, confirming need for substantive policy change.
March 26, 2007
Subprime Mortgage Foreclosures by the Numbers
These statistics and information graphics probe the spike in mortgage foreclosures that is plaguing American families.
March 20, 2007
Don’t Forget Homeowners
Congress weighs the cost of rising mortgage foreclosures and possible remedies. Resulting policymaking must be highly sophisticated.
March 14, 2007
Subprime Market: Isolated or a Tipping Point?
March 12, 2007
From Boom to Bust
New report from Almas Sayeed offers policy solutions to help families cope with the growing number of subprime mortgage foreclosures.
February 9, 2007
Economic Snapshot for February, 2007
Christian E. Weller explains that economic recovery may be improving, but the trade deficit remains high and labor market weaknesses persist.
February 6, 2007
The House that Subprime Loans Built
Housing report offers insights into the dangerous loans that, paired with tightening economic pressures, are leading to rising foreclosure rates.
January 31, 2007
Strengthening America’s Middle Class
Middle class families are caught in a crunch, struggling to pay for a home, health insurance, transportation, and college with mounting debt.
January 30, 2007
Risks Rise for Middle Class
Report from Christian E. Weller analyzes updated data measuring the financial risks facing America’s middle class.
January 22, 2007