Data Catalog

Dataset: Consumer Credit Behavior and Activity

Description

Dataset includes variables that describe credit seeking behavior activities: credit usage, credit diversity, average number of active accounts, average account balance/limit, and the number of accounts that have been established at the ZIP+4 level. This enables institutions to develop a better understanding of the actual consumer behavior of their customers. The underlying data is not survey based but provides a prospective of the amount and type of economic activity actually taking place. Over 150 variables included.

Collection Methodology

Dataset is created from proprietary sources from various credit reporting agencies. Multiple QA checks are performed to verify the accuracy of the data, including:

• Record Count Verification—The number of records, as reported by log files, is verified. This is matched against the number of records received and loaded.
• Data Aggregation Procedure Verification—reporting agencies deliver a small sample of individual level data from the database snapshot. This is independently summarized at the ZIP+4 level using the same algorithm as credit agencies, and then data is compared to the summarized data delivered.
• Record Layout/Data Integrity Verification—The aggregated data is loaded into a data warehouse with 10 partitions defined by the first digit of each ZIP Code. The first 10 records from each partition are extracted and analyzed to verify data integrity against the file record layout. Magnitude of each variable is checked against each variable type. The dataset is released semi-annually, in the second and fourth quarters with an average three month build cycle. Dataset represents averages within each ZIP+4 area. Each variable is calculated using aggregated information within each ZIP+4 record. Provider aggregates information to determine the average value for each ZIP+4 area. After computing the average value for each ZIP+4 area, provider reviews the total number of households to ensure confidentiality obligations are met. A ZIP+4 area with fewer than three households undergoes a confidentiality edit (CE) to ensure the privacy of all households in the ZIP+4 area. The CE incorporates ZIP+2 level statistics to create a more complex average value for each variable. The end result is an edited variable value that is drawn at random from a distribution centered around the original ZIP+4 value and is bounded based on ZIP+2 level observed values.

General Business Terms

This dataset is available on a usage basis. Please inquire for additional information.

Use and application is subject to certain restrictions, including:

• When used for direct marketing purposes, Consumer Credit Behavior and Activity may be used only in connection with offers that comply with the Direct Marketing Association’s guidelines for ethical business practice and mailing list practices. Any solicitation made using the dataset shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
• All marketing efforts, solicitations, ad copy and other communications to be used in connection with the dataset must not include 1 Source Data reference to any selection criteria or presumed knowledge concerning the intended recipient of the solicitation. In addition, the source of the recipient’s name and address must be in good taste, and in accordance with normal business practices.
• Information provided by the dataset may not be used in a way that negatively characterizes any ZIP+4, or excludes any ZIP+4 in a way that could result in disparate treatment on a prohibited basis under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. § 1691 et seq.) and Regulation B under that Act.
• Information provided by the dataset may not be used as a factor in establishing an individual’s eligibility for credit, insurance, or employment, nor may the information be used for any other purpose specified by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Attribution Policy

Attribution Text

Time Period

Current

Geographic Scope

United States

Lowest Geography

ZIP+4

Geometry Types

Polygon