Encore Capital Group® Announces Findings of its Third Economic Freedom Study
Encore Capital Group (Nasdaq: ECPG) has released its third Economic Freedom Study, surveying over 6,000 adults in the US and UK about their financial outlook and debt management practices. The study reveals that while most adults feel positive about their personal finances, they're less optimistic about their national economies, with 49% of US and 67% of UK adults expressing negative economic outlooks.
Key findings show that 83% of US adults know their credit score compared to 51% of UK adults. Currently, 29% of US and 19% of UK adults report having past-due debt. The study indicates increased willingness to work with debt collection companies compared to 2022, with consumers prioritizing debt-free status as their primary definition of economic freedom.
Encore Capital Group (Nasdaq: ECPG) ha pubblicato il suo terzo studio sulla libertà economica, intervistando oltre 6.000 adulti negli Stati Uniti e nel Regno Unito riguardo alle loro prospettive finanziarie e alle pratiche di gestione del debito. Lo studio evidenzia che, sebbene la maggior parte degli adulti si senta positiva riguardo alle proprie finanze personali, è meno ottimista sulle economie nazionali, con il 49% degli adulti statunitensi e il 67% di quelli britannici che esprimono una visione economica negativa.
I dati principali mostrano che il 83% degli adulti USA conosce il proprio punteggio di credito, rispetto al 51% degli adulti nel Regno Unito. Attualmente, il 29% degli adulti statunitensi e il 19% di quelli britannici dichiarano di avere debiti scaduti. Lo studio indica una maggiore disponibilità a collaborare con le società di recupero crediti rispetto al 2022, con i consumatori che considerano la condizione di essere liberi da debiti come la principale definizione di libertà economica.
Encore Capital Group (Nasdaq: ECPG) ha publicado su tercer Estudio sobre la Libertad Económica, encuestando a más de 6,000 adultos en Estados Unidos y Reino Unido acerca de sus perspectivas financieras y prácticas de manejo de deuda. El estudio revela que, aunque la mayoría de los adultos se siente positiva respecto a sus finanzas personales, son menos optimistas sobre las economías nacionales, con un 49% de adultos en EE.UU. y un 67% en el Reino Unido que expresan una visión económica negativa.
Los hallazgos clave muestran que el 83% de los adultos en EE.UU. conoce su puntaje de crédito, en comparación con el 51% de los adultos en el Reino Unido. Actualmente, el 29% de los adultos estadounidenses y el 19% de los británicos reportan tener deudas vencidas. El estudio indica una mayor disposición a trabajar con compañías de cobranza en comparación con 2022, con los consumidores priorizando estar libres de deuda como su principal definición de libertad económica.
Encore Capital Group (나스닥: ECPG)는 미국과 영국의 6,000명 이상의 성인을 대상으로 재정 전망과 부채 관리 관행에 대해 조사한 세 번째 경제 자유 연구를 발표했습니다. 연구 결과에 따르면 대부분의 성인이 개인 재정에 대해 긍정적으로 느끼는 반면, 국가 경제에 대해서는 덜 낙관적이며, 미국 성인의 49%와 영국 성인의 67%가 경제 전망에 대해 부정적으로 표현했습니다.
주요 결과로는 미국 성인의 83%가 자신의 신용 점수를 알고 있는 반면 영국 성인의 51%만이 알고 있다는 점이 있습니다. 현재 미국 성인의 29%와 영국 성인의 19%가 연체 부채를 보유하고 있다고 보고했습니다. 연구는 2022년과 비교해 채무 추심 회사와 협력하려는 의지가 증가했으며, 소비자들은 경제적 자유의 주요 정의로 부채 없는 상태를 우선시하는 것으로 나타났습니다.
Encore Capital Group (Nasdaq : ECPG) a publié sa troisième étude sur la liberté économique, sondant plus de 6 000 adultes aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni sur leurs perspectives financières et leurs pratiques de gestion de la dette. L'étude révèle que, bien que la plupart des adultes soient optimistes quant à leurs finances personnelles, ils sont moins confiants concernant leurs économies nationales, avec 49 % des adultes américains et 67 % des adultes britanniques exprimant une vision économique négative.
Les résultats clés montrent que 83 % des adultes américains connaissent leur score de crédit, contre 51 % des adultes britanniques. Actuellement, 29 % des adultes américains et 19 % des adultes britanniques déclarent avoir des dettes en retard. L'étude indique une volonté accrue de collaborer avec les sociétés de recouvrement par rapport à 2022, les consommateurs considérant la liberté de dettes comme leur principale définition de la liberté économique.
Encore Capital Group (Nasdaq: ECPG) hat seine dritte Studie zur wirtschaftlichen Freiheit veröffentlicht und über 6.000 Erwachsene in den USA und Großbritannien zu ihrer finanziellen Lage und ihrem Schuldenmanagement befragt. Die Studie zeigt, dass die meisten Erwachsenen zwar optimistisch hinsichtlich ihrer persönlichen Finanzen sind, jedoch weniger zuversichtlich bezüglich der nationalen Wirtschaft, wobei 49 % der US-amerikanischen und 67 % der britischen Erwachsenen eine negative wirtschaftliche Aussicht äußern.
Wesentliche Erkenntnisse zeigen, dass 83 % der US-Erwachsenen ihre Kreditwürdigkeit kennen, verglichen mit 51 % der britischen Erwachsenen. Derzeit geben 29 % der US-amerikanischen und 19 % der britischen Erwachsenen an, überfällige Schulden zu haben. Die Studie weist auf eine erhöhte Bereitschaft hin, mit Inkassounternehmen zusammenzuarbeiten, verglichen mit 2022, wobei Verbraucher die Schuldenfreiheit als ihre wichtigste Definition von wirtschaftlicher Freiheit priorisieren.
- Increased consumer willingness to work with debt collection companies compared to 2022 study
- Strong credit score awareness in US market (83% of adults)
- Company's approach aligns with consumer preferences for debt resolution
- Majority of adults who know their credit score report 'good' or better rating
- 29% of US adults report having past-due debt
- 67% of UK adults express negative outlook on national economy
- US consumers accumulating credit card debt at record levels
- Most adults with past-due debt expect long repayment periods
Survey of over 6,000 U.S. and U.K. adults finds more optimistic outlook on personal finances than national economies, introduces new data on credit score awareness
SAN DIEGO, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Encore Capital Group, Inc. (Encore) (Nasdaq: ECPG), an international specialty finance company, today announced the findings of its third Economic Freedom Study. The latest study surveyed over 6,000 adults in Encore’s largest markets, the United States and United Kingdom, about their feelings toward their personal finances and the economy.
Respondents were asked what causes them the most financial stress and the best ways to address their challenges, including attitudes toward working with debt collection companies to resolve past-due debt. The latest study also examines credit score awareness and financial literacy. The research was commissioned by Encore and conducted by Morning Consult.
A detailed report of the findings is available on Encore’s website. Key highlights from the study include:
- Most U.S. and U.K. adults feel somewhat or very positive about their personal financial futures, but they are less optimistic about their respective national economies. Nearly half (
49% ) of U.S. adults say their outlook on the future of the national economy is somewhat or very negative, compared to just over two-thirds (67% ) of U.K. adults. - “Being debt-free” was the most-selected definition of economic freedom for adults in both countries, chosen by
27% of both U.S. and U.K. adults. Being debt-free was the most-selected definition for every generation in both countries except U.K. Gen Z adults, among whom “having the independence to do/buy what I want” was the most-selected definition (25% ). - While U.S. adults are more aware of their credit scores than U.K. adults, most adults in each country desire a free way to check their credit score. Over four in five U.S. adults (
83% ) say they know their credit score, compared to just over half (51% ) of U.K. adults. Of those who say they know their credit score, roughly half or more in each country report having a “good” or better rating. - Nearly three in 10 (
29% ) U.S. adults and just under one in five (19% ) U.K. adults report currently having past-due debt, especially younger and low-income adults. Most adults with past-due debt in both countries say it will take a long time to pay back most or all of their balance. - Today, significantly more U.S. and U.K. adults are requesting help to repay past-due debt compared to the 2022 Encore Economic Freedom Study, and significantly more signal intentions to work with debt collection companies to resolve their debt.
“Our company supports consumers who are actively dealing with financial stress every day, which makes these findings especially important for us,” said Ashish Masih, Encore’s President and CEO. “By understanding how consumers are thinking and feeling about their finances, which priorities matter most to them, and how they plan to address past-due debt, we can better fulfill our Mission to help them on their path to economic freedom.”
The survey found that as U.S. consumers are accumulating credit card debt at record levels, and U.K. consumers continue to feel pessimistic about their national economy, adults in both countries are facing high economic concern and are focused on building emergency funds.
“We continue to be focused on meeting consumers where they are, and we’re well-positioned to help them,” Masih said. “We lead with empathy, tailor solutions to pay off past-due debt to consumers’ unique circumstances, always seek to understand the consumer’s needs and provide access to support in times of hardship.”
The survey’s findings affirm Encore’s approach to working with consumers. For example, about one-quarter (
Midland Credit Management (MCM), Encore’s U.S. subsidiary, published its Consumer Bill of Rights almost 15 years ago, and it remains the only one of its kind in the industry. It clearly defines how MCM will suspend collection activities when a consumer demonstrates that they are experiencing significant financial hardship due to medical issues, natural disasters, job loss or other challenges. Similarly, Cabot Credit Management, Encore’s U.K. and European subsidiary, has a Sensitive Support Team in the United Kingdom, which includes specialists trained to work with consumers facing mental or physical illness resulting in significant financial hardship. The team’s goal is to ensure a consumer’s debts don’t become a barrier to their physical or financial recovery or well-being.
“It is heartening to see consumers prioritizing being debt-free and showing a willingness to seek help, learn new financial skills and work with companies like Encore to achieve it,” Masih said. “The approach we take with consumers, including working with them one-on-one and tailoring solutions to meet their unique needs and circumstances, aligns well with the findings of the study.”
The Economic Freedom Study online survey was conducted from April 24-May 2, 2025, among 6,406 adults, including 3,192 U.S. adults and 3,214 U.K. adults. The U.S. and U.K. samples are weighted on age, gender, education, race/ethnicity and region to reflect the demographic makeup of their respective adult (18+) populations according to most recently available census data from each country. The margin of error for the total sample in each country is plus or minus 2 percentage points.
About Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Encore Capital Group® is an international specialty finance company that provides debt recovery solutions and other related services across a broad range of financial assets. Through our subsidiaries around the globe, Encore purchases or services portfolios of receivables from major banks, credit unions and utility providers.
Encore partners with individuals as they repay their debt obligations, helping them on the road to financial recovery and ultimately improving their economic well-being. Encore is the first and only company of its kind to operate with a Consumer Bill of Rights that provides industry-leading commitments to consumers. Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P Small Cap 600 and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the company can be found at http://www.encorecapital.com.
Contact
Faryar Borhani
Vice President, Chief Communications Officer
press@encorecapital.com
FAQ
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