 TITLE: Derogatory Marks in Credit Reports Slow Amid Pandemic CONTENT: CARES Act Protections May Have Slowed Derogatory Accounts\n---------------------------------------------------------\nOnce it became clear consumers would need financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, a $2 trillion economic stimulus package aimed at dampening the impacts of widespread unemployment and reduced economic activity went into effect. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, among other things, gave consumers a temporary cash infusion, laid out protections for those financially impacted by the pandemic (such as by suspending foreclosures), and increased unemployment benefit payouts.\nThese protections—as well as accommodations made voluntarily by creditors—seem to have been initially effective in protecting consumer credit profiles from delinquency and default. In fact, with these programs in place, some consumers who might have normally entered default may have been sheltered from drastic changes to their financial accounts. This trend may change as aspects of the pandemic relief package continue to expire—increased unemployment benefits payouts expired at the end of July and weren't fully replaced, for instance.\nAs Americans continue to manage the effects of the pandemic, the data included in our analysis will continue to evolve. The information included here represents only a momentary snapshot of consumers' finances. As time goes on, these trends may change. We will continue to publish additional insights as newer data becomes available. END