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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 4 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

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.


Assessment of Small Business Aid and Needs in Louisiana Five Years After Hurricane Katrina: Overview of Case Studies

Assessment of Small Business Aid and Needs in Louisiana Five Years After Hurricane Katrina: Overview of Case Studies
March 2011

This report examines five cases of small businesses and the self-employed that received small business aid from an LDRF funded Community Development Organization (CDO).

Louisiana Small Businesses Five Years Post-Katrina: Assessing LDRF Program Impacts And Measuring Existing Needs

Louisiana Small Businesses Five Years Post-Katrina: Assessing LDRF Program Impacts And Measuring Existing Needs
March 2011

This report examines the continuing impact of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters on small businesses and the self-employed in Louisiana. Primary to this research was an examination of the impacts of aid received from the Community Development Organizations (CDOs) funded in part by the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF) as well as aid received from other sources. It also examines the extent of existing unmet needs of small businesses in Louisiana. For this research PERC surveyed over 1,600 small business operators and analyzed data from tens of thousands of Experian small business credit files.

Credit Reporting Customer Payment Data

Credit Reporting Customer Payment Data
April 2009
Credit Reporting Customer Payment Data

This study examines the impact and benefits that accrue to consumers, lenders, and utilities and telecommunications firms when telecoms and utilities report customer payment information to credit bureaus.

New to Credit from Alternative Data

New to Credit from Alternative Data
March 2009
New to Credit from Alternative Data

The report offers a broad overview of PERC research on alternative data, specifically focusing on the new to credit consumer population and how their ability to obtain credit is increased through the reporting of alternative data.

You Score You Win: The Consequences of Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

You Score You Win: The Consequences of Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
July 2008
You Score You Win:  The Consequences of Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

A follow-up to PERC's ground-breaking report on alternative data, this study examines the long-term effects of using non-traditional data in credit files using quantitative analysis.

Recovery, Renewal, and Resiliency: Gulf Coast Small Businesses Two Years Later

Recovery, Renewal, and Resiliency: Gulf Coast Small Businesses Two Years Later
August 2007
Recovery, Renewl, and Resiliency: Gulf Coast Small Businesses Two Years Later

The first PERC survey of small businesses in New Orleans and other FEMA-declared disaster areas in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes finds disparate impacts among different segments of business owners. The results also yield insights into the efficacy of existing recovery policy, and identify policy shortcomings and unmet needs.

 

Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Increasing Access to Affordable Mainstream Credit Using Alternative Data

Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Increasing Access to Affordable Mainstream Credit Using Alternative Data
December 2006
Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Increasing Access to Affordable Mainstream Credit Using Alternative Data

PERC’s landmark study on bringing the estimated 35 to 54 million Americans outside the mainstream credit system into the credit fold, Give Credit Where Credit Is Due offers feasible market solutions involving “alternative” or non-traditional payment data, such as payment obligations such as rent, gas, electric, insurance, and other recurring obligations, to evaluate the risk profile of a potential borrower.

Giving Underserved Consumers Better Access to the Credit System: The Promise of Non-traditional Data

Giving Underserved Consumers Better Access to the Credit System: The Promise of Non-traditional Data
June 2005
Giving Underserved Consumers Better Access to the Credit System: The Promise of Non-traditional Data

PERC’s initial study on alternative data, Giving Underserved Consumers Better Access to the Credit System examines the likely win-win outcome if non-traditional data is included in credit files.

Asia-Pacific Credit Coalition

APCC is a PERC-managed coalition committed to promoting a regional standard for full-file, comprehensive consumer credit reporting to private credit bureaus within the 21 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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