A Snapshot of the African-American Financial Experience

Paying down debt is top priority for Blacks.

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It All Adds Up - In their 2013 African-American Financial Experience survey, Prudential surveyed more than 1,000 African-Americans to get their take on how debt, saving money and other financial measures have changed for them in recent years. For a look at how the dollars and cents add up, read on for highlights from the report. -- Britt Middleton(Photo: Blend Images/Hill Street Studios/Getty Images)

Misuse of Trusts - A common fraudulent scheme is for promoters to urge taxpayers to transfer assets into trusts. Some highly questionable transactions promise reduction of income subject to tax, deductions for personal expenses, and reduced estate or gift taxes. Taxpayers should seek the advice of a trusted professional before entering a trust arrangement.(Photo: Charlotte Observer/MCT/Landov)

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Paying Down Debt Is Top Priority - Decreasing debt remains the No. 1 priority for Blacks (60 percent, compared to 50 percent of general U.S. population), according to the study. African-Americans are significantly more likely to have some type of debt (94 percent) compared to other Americans (82 percent). (Photo: Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer/ MCT /LANDOV)

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Common Debt Woes for African-Americans - Credit Card: 60 percent (compared to 45 percent for general U.S. population) Mortgage: 46 percent (compared to 49 percent) Car Loan: 41 percent (compared to 35 percent) Student Loans: 25 percent (compared to 13 percent) Medical Debt: 21 percent (compared to 15 percent) (Photo: REUTERS/Stelios Varias)

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Saving for the Future - While about 8 out of 10 African-Americans eligible for a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k) plan to contribute to it, many contribute less than what their employer matches or take loans from their plan, researchers said. This barrier is credited to the lack of education from employers about how these plans work. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

Raise It! - While lawmakers debate the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage, there's no doubt in American voters' minds about what to do. The Quinnipiac poll found that 71 percent support raising it, including 52 percent of Republicans.  (Photo: Steve Cole/Getty Images)

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Combined Household Income - $25-49K: 26 percent $50-74K: 35 percent $75-99K:  15 percent $100K or more: 24 percent (Photo: Steve Cole/Getty Images)

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Rise of the Middle Class - The African-American middle class is projected to keep growing and underscores the strengthening buying power of African-Americans, specifically when you consider that nearly 40 percent of Black households have an annual income of $75,000 or more, researchers said. About 35 percent of Blacks had $50,000 or more in financial assets, including savings, investments and employer-sponsored retirement accounts. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images)

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Guided by Faith - Americans are more likely to live in intergenerational and female-headed households, and to financially support family members. Those who attended church regularly felt more confident in their financials and relied upon faith-based institutions for financial information, researchers said. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Is There a Cost? - There are some leagues, such as ESPN and Fox Sports, which are free to play, but if you are really competitive and want to go for the cash prizes, then you may have to dish out cash to join the league.(Photo: LaCoppola-Meier/Getty Images)

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Better Off Now - About 47 percent of African-Amer­icans said their finances are better now than five years ago, pre-recession (23 percent said it is worse). Sixty-five percent feel financially better off than the previous generation of their family, compared to 58 percent of the general U.S. population. (Photo: LaCoppola-Meier/Getty Images)

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Making Financial Decisions - Forty-six percent of African-Americans said they feel "very well prepared" to make financial decisions, compared to 35 percent of the general U.S. population. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

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Remaining Confident - African-Americans feel less uncertain (22 percent compared to 31 percent of general U.S. population), less anxious (18 percent compared to 28 percent) and less intim­idated (5 percent compared to 10 percent) about making financial decisions. College graduates, those with annual income of $75,000 or more, and those who believe the recession is over have greater financial confidence, as well as those with a financial adviser expressed the highest levels of confidence, according to the report. (Photo: West Rock/Getty Images)

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Financial Ties Through Family - One-third of African-Americans are financially supporting children under 18 or grandchildren, and 9 percent are supporting parents or grand­parents (compared to 25 percent and 4 percent of the general U.S. population). (Photo: Monashee Frantz/Getty Images)

Photo By Monashee Frantz/Getty Images

Failing to Reach out - Just 26 percent of Blacks said that any financial services company has "effectively engaged and shown support for the African-American community." According to the survey, African-Americans are 13 percent less likely than the general U.S. population to have received contact from a financial adviser. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Failing to Reach out - Just 26 percent of Blacks said that any financial services company has "effectively engaged and shown support for the African-American community." According to the survey, African-Americans are 13 percent less likely than the general U.S. population to have received contact from a financial adviser. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)