Washington, DC-Latinos rely on their credit cards to cover everyday expenses that their paychecks can't afford, according to a report released today by NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. The report is based on findings from focus groups conducted in Chicago, Atlanta, and San Antonio. Participants revealed that they used their cards for necessities and are concerned about debt in the face of job instability. "In the midst of economic uncertainty and record-high unemployment, Hispanic credit card users struggle to reduce their debt and build a solid credit history. The reality is that credit may be the only way to keep food on the table or cover unexpected trips to the doctor," said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. "Federal regulators and card issuers must develop effective approaches to delivering affordable credit to underserved communities, putting families on the path to the middle class rather than cyclical debt." Major findings from Survival Spending: The Role of Credit Cards in Hispanic Households reflect the dominant themes of six focus groups conducted in May and June 2009 and provide insight into the behaviors of Hispanic card users. Specifically, the report shows that Latinos: In response to the experiences of Latino cardholders, NCLR calls on credit card issuers and policymakers to invest in credit options that: For more information, visit www.nclr.org | http://www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | http://www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr. ###