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Research and Applications

PERC is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding Information Solutions for Development Challenges worldwide. Going beyond the standard think tank model of solely carrying out research and producing reports, our staff develops real-world applications and works with policy makers at all levels to bring about the change we seek.

Find out more: About PERC

Serving the Missing Middle

PERC's mission is to serve the Missing Middle, the almost four billion people above the global poverty line who do not have access to affordable mainstream credit, by utilizing a new type of economic development: information-led development.

Find out more: Information-Led Development, Who are the missing middle?

Overcoming the Catch-22

Up to 70 million Americans are excluded from the financial mainstream because of the Credit Catch-22: you need to have a history of debt to get credit. PERC's Alternative Data Initiative has already helped many Americans overcome this Catch-22 and access affordable mainstream credit.

Find out more: Alternative Data Initiative

Smart Disaster Recovery

PERC has developed metrics for the Louisiana Recovery Agency and the World Bank to track small business recovery from natural disasters.

Find out more: Gulf Coast Economic Renewal

Helping Our Community

PERC is volunteering with the Durham Affordable Housing Coalition (DAHC) and area volunteers to develop applications and solutions to help the DAHC and other nonprofits better serve their missions, such as stemming the stream of foreclosures in the Durham, North Carolina.

Find out more: PERC Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Center

Donate to PERC

You can help support PERC's mission of global asset building by donating via Paypal. PERC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated in the state of North Carolina. All donations are tax deductible.


Latest Publications

The Consequences of Prohibiting Credit Inquiry Data in Chilean Credit Files

The Consequences of Prohibiting Credit Inquiry Data in Chilean Credit Files
February 2010

This paper assesses the consequences of proposed Chilean legislation to prohibit the sharing of credit inquiry data.

Credit Access

NCLC Supports the “3 Ps” of Lending: Pawn Shops, Predatory Lenders and Pay Day Lenders

NCLC Supports the “3 Ps” of Lending: Pawn Shops, Predatory Lenders and Pay Day Lenders
November 2009

Credit Access

Optimal Consumer Credit Bureau Market Structure in Singapore

Optimal Consumer Credit Bureau Market Structure in Singapore
May 2009

This paper examines the relationship between market structures and regulatory framework of the credit information sharing, and the performance of the financial sector.

Upcoming Events

Aug 24-27, 2010 - Bangkok, Thailand

PERC President Dr. Michael Turner will be attending the third meeting on the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) held in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Turner will be participating in discussions about financial identity and credit reporting systems as part of a larger, APEC-wide financial inclusion agenda. For more information, please visit the ABAC website at www.abaconline.org.

Sep 15, 2010 - Sendai, Japan

PERC's Dr. Robin Varghese will serve as a presenter of credit information and a moderator of group discussion at APEC's "Getting Credit for Small and Medium Enterprises" seminar this September in Japan. The seminar, part of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) program (http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreTopics/GettingCredit/), will aim to deepen knowledge with regard to utilizing credit information to establish better environment for access to credit.

Sep 22-24, 2010 - Washington, DC

Dr. Michael Turner will present PERC research on credit information sharing, including credit file data quality and the social and economic impacts of including non-financial payment data in FCRA-regulated consumer and commercial credit files. Other panelists include Vikki Frank of Credit Builders Alliance and Mark Rukavina of The Access Project.

Asia-Pacific Credit Coalition

APCC is a PERC-managed coalition of organizations committed to promoting a regional standard for full-file, comprehensive consumer credit reporting to private credit bureaus within the twenty-one Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies. Please visit PERC's coalition for credit standards in the APEC region, the Asia-Pacific Credit Coalition

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