- Consumer confidence climbed 1.5 points to 50.5% in March, reaching its highest level since before the recession. Consumers continue an optimistic outlook likely due to lower gas prices. - While consumers feel more confident about the economy, many are still prioritizing paying down debt and increasing savings over discretionary spending. Less than 40% report focusing only on necessary purchases. - The majority of consumers carry credit card balances between $1-5,000 each month. In the past year, consumers have taken on more small amounts of debt for needs like groceries and gas or wants like dining out and travel.

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March 2015
Consumer Snapshot

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sentiment strategy
Disclaimer: Prosper Business Development and its affiliated companies (“Prosper”) make no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning: data gathered or
obtained from any source; the present or future methodology employed in producing the statistics; or the data and estimates represent only the opinion of
Prosper and reliance thereon and use thereof shall be at the user’s own risk.
March 2015
credit quarterly

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sentiment
consumer sentiment
month-over-month, confidence climbs 1.5
points to 50.5% in March
very confident/confident in chances for a strong economy
{adults 18+}
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
40.7%
50.1% 50.5%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
13 month summary
reaching its highest level since pre-recession Feb-
07 (53.2%), consumers continue an optimistic
outlook, likely buoyed in large part by relief at
the pump

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sentiment
confidence tips the scale
with the majority of consumers feeling confident
for a strong economy this month, consumers
seem to have moved past recession-era
pessimism
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
very confident/confident in chances for a strong economy
{adults 18+}
consumer sentiment
month-over-month, confidence climbs 1.5
points to 50.5% in March
13 month summary
reaching its highest level since pre-recession Feb-
07 (53.2%), consumers continue an optimistic
outlook, likely buoyed in large part by relief at
the pump
46.9%
40.7%
50.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
how will consumers react with their wallets?

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strategy
practicality & focus on needs
{adults 18+}
practical purchases
consumers appear to be slowly loosening the
reins on practicality, continuing the slow
descent that began mid-summer 2014
continued focus on needs
those focused on just what they need when
at the store remains relatively even with
February and lowers a point from Mar-14
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
fewer than two in five (38.3%) maintain
pragmatic purchase intentions, lowering half a
point from February and resting 10%
below Mar-14
42.7%
38.3%
46.2%
45.2%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
I have become more practical and realistic in my purchases
I focus more on what I NEED rather than what I WANT

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strategy
plans for tax refunds
{adults 18+ expecting a refund}
practical purchases
consumers appear to be slowly loosening the
reins on practicality, continuing the slow
descent that began mid-summer 2014
continued focus on needs
those focused on just what they need when
at the store remains relatively even with
February and lowers a point from Mar-14
lack of more dramatic movement in these
indicators in response to rising economic
confidence may signal uncertainty, caution
with spending…and paying down debt and
increasing savings remain prioritiesSource: Prosper Insights & Analytics; National Retail Federation
fewer than two in five (38.3%) maintain
pragmatic purchase intentions, lowering half a
point from February and resting 10%
below Mar-14
NRF Release: Americans Planning to Save, Not Splurge
With Tax Refunds This Year
37.7%
46.0%
25.3%
10.7%
12.8%
39.1%
46.9%
25.1%
10.5%
10.2%
13.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Pay down debt
Savings
Everyday expenses
Major purchase
"Splurge"purchase
Vacation
2014
2015
NA

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credit quarterly
current credit card debt
while three in ten (29.1%) report $0 credit card
balances each month, the majority of consumers
maintain balances of $1 to $2,500 (41.1%) or
$2,501 to $5,000 (12.9%)
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
average monthly household credit card debt
{adults 18+}
29.1%
41.1%
12.9%
4.8%
3.8%
2.8%
1.5%
0.8%
0.9%
2.3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
$0
$1 to $2,500
$2,501 to $5,000
$5,001 to $7,500
$7,501 to $10,000
$10,001 to $12,500
$12,501 to $15,000
$15,001 to $17,500
$17,501 to $20,000
More than $20,000

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credit quarterly
current credit card debt
while three in ten (29.1%) report $0 credit card
balances each month, the majority of consumers
maintain balances of $1 to $2,500 (41.1%) or
$2,501 to $5,000 (12.9%)
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
average monthly household credit card debt
{adults 18+}
5 year trends
in the past year, consumers seem more
willing/able to take on small amounts of debt,
with balances of $5,000 or less rising and the % of
$0 balances declining
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Mar-10
Jul-10
Nov-10
Mar-11
Jul-11
Nov-11
Mar-12
Jul-12
Nov-12
Mar-13
Jul-13
Nov-13
Mar-14
Jul-14
Nov-14
Mar-15
$0 $1 to $2,500 $2,501 to $5,000
with similar patterns occurring among lower,
middle, and upper income consumers, reliance
on credit cards may be derived out of need
(groceries, gas) or want (dining out, vacation
travel)

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Pam Goodfellow
Consumer Insights Director
Prosper Insights & Analytics™
pam@goProsper.com
ProsperDiscovery.com
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