Introduction

Abstract

Since the earliest days of modern consumer credit as a significant American cultural and financial phenomenon, there has existed a center for research on consumer credit issues. Although the physical location and hosting institutions have changed over the years, the common bond uniting these centers has been a dedication to study the economic and social issues surrounding consumer access to credit and its subsequent use. Each of these centers of credit study has produced its own summary record of the state of credit research at the height of its period of activity. Looking at these collections today is instructive because they provide a useful long-term overview of the development of research in the field.