A Consolidated Credit survey finds Spanish speaking Americans are 2-3 times more likely to be facing financial challenges.
The COVID pandemic and subsequent shutdowns have left 21 million Americans unemployed and millions more facing pay cuts and other income loss.[1] However, a new survey from Consolidated Credit indicates that some populations may have been hit harder by this financial crisis than others. The survey results show that Spanish speaking Americans are 2-3 times more likely to have experienced financial challenges as a result of the shutdown.
Whos Been Hit Hardest by Pandemic Money Problems?
Consolidated Credit polled 1,110 debt-conscious Americans in English and Spanish about the financial challenges that they’re facing as a result of shutdowns and the current economy. The results reveal that Spanish speaking Americans are 2-3 times more like to be experiencing financial hardship.
Many Americans are dealing with money problems due to COVID-19, but the latest Consolidated Credit Survey Reveals that Spanish Speaking Americans are 2-3 Times More Likely to Have Pandemic-Related Money Problems.
The survey of people who approached Consolidated Credit about their debts shows 9 in 10 of the Spanish language respondents lost some income during the shutdown while that number is only 6 in 10 for the English language respondents.
(Text) Lost Income
90% 60%
Spanish English
Only 17 percent of people surveyed in Spanish said they have emergency savings, compared to 30 percent of those who answered the poll in English.
(Text) Have Emergency Savings
17% 30%
Spanish English
Fifty-six percent of Spanish speaking respondents said they were late paying credit card bills due to the pandemic, compared to 38 percent of those surveyed in English.
(Text) Are Late Paying Credit Card Bills
56% 38%
Spanish English
Generally, about 25 percent of all people surveyed said they would take on a new credit card or loan soon, but for different reasons… Fifty-three percent of those polled in English stated they would use the money to pay off debt whereas only 18 percent of the Spanish language respondents said the same.
(Text) Will Take on New Debt to Payoff Old Debt
18% 53%
Spanish English
Most of the Spanish-speaking respondents said they would earmark the new credit card or loan for emergencies as they arise.
(Text) Will Take on New Credit Card or Loan to Cover Help Cover Emergencies
57% 38%
Spanish English
For more details on the survey and to find out how Consolidated Credit may be able to help you get back on track visit Consolidated Credit dot ORG or call 1-800-995-0737 for a free personal finance consultation.
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Why has the Spanish speaking population been hit harder?
The survey didn’t dive into the reasons for these disparities, but Consolidated Credit’s financial educators have some theories.
“According to Pew Research Center on Hispanic Trends, many Hispanics work in retail, hospitality, and other service jobs,” says April Lewis-Parks, Consolidated Credit’s Financial Education Director. “These sectors that were hit hardest by the shutdowns.”
Lack of access to financial education resources may also be at play.
“Credit systems work differently in every country around the world,” Lewis-Parks explains. “We’ve found that many first- and second-generation Americans are simply unaware of all the debt-relief options available to them in this country.”
That may explain why Spanish speaking Americans were less prepared with emergency savings in place when this crisis hit. This leads to a greater reliance on credit cards during a crisis, and a greater likelihood of facing issues, such as late payments.
Infographic
Understanding The Financial Impact of the Pandemic
A poll of 1,110 English and Spanish speaking Americans shows that Spanish speakers are 2-3 times more likely to experience hardship as a result of COVID-19….
Read more
Closing the gap
The good news is that there are signs that this gap may be closing. A survey conducted by The TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index found that U.S.-born Hispanic Americans have a higher financial literacy rate than the foreign-born Hispanic population.
Many organizations are also stepping up to provide broader access to financial literacy resources in Spanish.
“Education is essential,” says Beatriz Hartman, Consolidated Credit’s Director of Business Development and Community Engagement. “That’s why we strive to provide the same array of financial resources in Spanish that we do in English. That way people can learn in the language that they’re most comfortable using.”
Getting the right help if you’re facing financial challenges
“At Consolidated Credit, we understand how difficult this situation has been for people,” Lewis-Parks says. “The financial challenges that the pandemic has created have been immense and financial stress is at an all-time high.
“That’s why we’re working to provide as much education and information as possible. We’ve even established a hotline that people who have been affected by the crisis can use to connect with a certified counselor for a free consultation.”
If you need help overcoming the financial challenges you’re facing, call 1-800-745-2513 to speak with a certified credit counselor for free. |
