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Title: No Slack: The Financial Lives of Low-Income Americans

Author: Michael S. Barr

Published: April 2012

Book Summary:

The financial crisis lay bare how the financial system failed the nation but left hidden the many ways in which that system still fails the most vulnerable Americans. In No Slack, Michael S. Barr explores how low- and moderate-income households cope with financial stress, use financial services to make ends meet, and often come up short.

No Slack reveals widespread problems in home mortgage lending, the common threads among people who file for bankruptcy, the reasons so many households are unbanked, and how behaviorally informed financial regulation can make the market work better. Drawing on his deep policy experience, Michael Barr advocates helping families seek financial stability in three primary ways: enhancing individuals’ financial capability, using technology to promote access to financial products and services that meet their needs, and establishing strong protections for consumers.

Available on Amazon.

Book Cover Image Source: Amazon