Find Social Loans are a Proven Tool for Credit Improvement

June 5, 2013: Two reports were released yesterday from independent evaluators at San Francisco State University studying the impact of Lending Circles on credit improvement. These reports confirm that social loans paired with financial education are a viable model for increasing financial capability of low-income consumers nationwide. Exciting new insights include:

The average increase in credit score: 168 points

Average credit score post-Lending Circles: 603 

An average reduction in debt per participant: $1,000

A special thanks to the Ford Foundation, CFSI and Citi Community Development for supporting this work!

Mission Asset Fund awarded $100,000 to expand to Los Angeles

May 8, 2013: Out of 279 submissions, and 70,000 votes, we are THRILLED to announce that Mission Asset Fund was awarded $100,000 from the Goldhirsh Foundation!

This award will bring Lending Circles for Citizenship and the Security Deposit Loan Program to Los Angeles for the first time.   

March 25, 2013: Why do "sub-prime" consumers get "sub-prime" rates?  As any recent college grad will tell you, just because you have a score doesn’t mean it’s a good one. And a good score translates into savings in your pocket.

For Breakthrough Solutions to Significant State Issues

February 4, 2013: Jose Quinonez is one of six Californians receiving the 2013 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards at an event in Sacramento today. Now in its eighth year, the awards celebrate extraordinary leaders who are advancing proven, innovative solutions to some of California’s most difficult problems. The awards aim to uncover and spotlight these breakthrough solutions so that they can inform policymaking and better the lives of even more Californians.

WATCH THE VIDEO | ABOUT THE AWARDS