Our data and research
Data driven and human centered — a holistic approach to understanding financial health
As a member-first organization, we collaborate with our members to publish and share groundbreaking reports and publications that leverage the financial data and personal experiences they entrust us with. Cumulatively, this qualitative and quantitative data allows us to tell a larger, more complete story of the systemic issues that impede the financial health journeys of our members.
Financial data
Through our fintech product, members provide us with unique access to their real-time, household-level financial transactions, bank account data, and demographic information, giving insight in real time over time, rather than at a single point in time. We use this data to track emerging financial trends, test hypotheses, and provide relevant insights and recommendations that are reflective of our members’ evolving needs.
Personal experiences
Members share their perspectives and how they are faring in a rapidly shifting economic climate through surveys and interviews we conduct. By seeking out and prioritizing our members' evolving financial health goals and challenges, we create feedback loops that give them a greater voice in the system – with the aim of building power and ownership over the programs and services that impact their lives.
Together as a field, we can use these findings to create and inform financial products, programs, and services that support and empower people living on low-to-moderate incomes.
Recent work and publications
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Climate change and financial health
With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, SaverLife has launched The Downpour, a research initiative intended to expose the ongoing impacts of climate change on the financial health of households living on low-to-moderate incomes. Through qualitative and quantitative data, we bring our members’ experiences to light and determine how well existing policies can mitigate climate change on their behalfs.
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Transportation and financial health
Recognizing that in-depth research was needed to better understand how transportation costs can impede economic mobility, SaverLife and the FINRA Foundation conducted a study exploring the relationship between transportation costs and financial stability and well-being. The study, captured by a series of three briefs, provides insights about the role of transportation costs on financial health.
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Microentrepreneurs and financial health
In Spring 2022, SaverLife, with the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, launched a comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign to learn more about the self-employed. In particular, we wanted to better understand the aspirations and pain points of microentrepreneurs: individuals who start a side hustle, launch a small business, or take on gig work to cover some or all of their income through self-employment.
Additional research findings and publications
Finances are a crucial foundation in all areas of our lives, dictating our ability to afford to go to the doctor, access high-quality child care, and pay for transportation etc. Our research explores a variety of different issues that intersect with improving the financial health of people living on low to moderate incomes. To see more data, be sure to explore our rapid insights library.
