Birkenmaier, J., Rothwell, D. R., Jacobson Frey, J., & Spence Coffey, D. (2022). Introduction to the Special Issue on Financial Capability and Asset Building for Family Financial Wellbeing. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 43(4), 647–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-022-09871-y
Category: Financial Capability
Special Issue | Financial Capability and Asset Building for Family Financial Wellbeing
Rothwell, D. R., Jacobson Frey, J., & Birkenmaier, J. (Eds.). (2022). Special issue on financial capability and asset building for family financial wellbeing. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 43(4). https://link.springer.com/journal/10834/volumes-and-issues/43-4
Asset Building Among U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents: The Role of Initial Legal Status
Zeng, Y. (2022). Asset building among U.S. lawful permanent residents: The role of initial legal status. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2022.2128497
Understanding the Use of Digital Finance Among Older Internet Users in Urban China: Evidence From an Online Convenience Sample
Zeng, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). Understanding the use of digital finance among older internet users in urban China: Evidence from an online convenience sample. Educational Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2022.2126341
Building Financial Capability Among Low-Income Older Asian Immigrants: The Roles of Financial Access and Locus of Control
Nam, Y., Sherraden, M. S., Lee, E. J., & Huang, J. (2022). Building financial capability among low-income older Asian immigrants: The roles of financial access and locus of control. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 56(4), 1683-1704. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12486
Effective Finance to Increase Financial Well-Being for Low-Income Families: Empirical Examination and Policy Implications
Huang, J., Sherraden, M., Sherraden, M. S., & Johnson, L. (2022). Effective finance to increase financial well-being for low-income families: Empirical examination and policy implications. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 56(4), 1638–1657. http://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12484
Social Workers Can Help Adults With Complex Needs With Financial Wellbeing
Fang, S., & Huang, J. (2022). Social workers can help adults with complex needs with financial wellbeing. BMJ, 378, Article 1928. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1928
Bank Compliance With National Transaction Account Standards: Evidence From a Mid‐Western Metropolitan Area
Birkenmaier, J., Huang, J., & Balu, A. (2022). Bank compliance with national transaction account standards: Evidence from a mid‐western metropolitan area. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 56(2), 982–1003. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12428
Interventions Designed to Improve Financial Capability: A Systematic Review
Birkenmaier, J., Maynard, B., & Kim, Y. (2022). Interventions designed to improve financial capability: A systematic review. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(6), 651–677. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315221080127
Financial Capability
Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., & Ansong, D. (2022, February 24). Financial capability. In C. Franklin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Social Work (Online ed.). https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1201
The Long Afterlife of Slavery in Asset Stripping, Historical Memory, and Family Burden: Toward a Third Reconstruction
Fergus, D., & Shanks, T. R. (2022). The long afterlife of slavery in asset stripping, historical memory, and family burden: Toward a third Reconstruction. Families in Society, 103(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894211061283
Financial Capability and Asset Building With a Racial- and Gender-Equity Lens: Advances from the Field
Finsel, C., Watson Grote, M., Libby, M., Mahon, C., & Sherraden, M. S. (2022). Financial capability and asset building with a racial- and gender-equity lens: Advances from the field. Families in Society, 103(1), 86–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894211063133
Building Financial Capability and Assets in America’s Families [Special issue introduction]
Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., Jones, J. L., & Callahan, C. (2022). Building financial capability and assets in America’s families [Special issue introduction]. Families in Society, 103(1), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894211066464
Special Issue | Building Financial Capability and Assets in America’s Families
Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., Jones, J. L., & Callahan, C. (Eds.). (2022). Building financial capability and assets in America’s families [Special issue]. Families in Society, 103(1). https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/fisa/103/1
Introducing the Disease Outbreak Resilience Index (DORI) Using the Demographic and Health Surveys Data from sub‑Saharan Africa
Koomson, I., Okumu, M., & Ansong, D. (2022). Introducing the Disease Outbreak Resilience Index (DORI) Using the Demographic and Health Surveys data from sub‑Saharan Africa. Social Indicators Research, 162, 1149–1175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-022-02881-1
Household Financial Capability and Economic Hardship: An Empirical Examination of the Financial Capability Framework
Sun, S., Chen, Y.-C., Ansong, D., Huang, J., & Sherraden, M. S. (2022). Household financial capability and economic hardship: An empirical examination of the financial capability framework. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 43(4), 716–729. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-022-09816-5
Financial Capability and Asset Building in Social Work Practice
Sherraden, M. (2022, January). Financial capability and asset building in social work practice (CSD Perspective No. 22-01). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/a6jt-bb86
Preparing Social Workers to Improve People’s Finances
Sherraden, M. S. (2022, January). Preparing social workers to improve people’s finances (CSD Perspective No. 22-02). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/w45g-2b72
We Have Clean Water and Clean Air: Why Not Clean Finance, Too? A Vision for Inclusion and Equity
Huang, J., Sherraden, M., & Sherraden, M. S. (2021). We have clean water and clean air: Why not clean finance, too? A vision for inclusion and equity. In R. Boshara & I. Rademacher (Eds.), The future of building wealth: Brief essays on the best ideas to build wealth—for everyone (pp. 83–89). Federal Reserve Bank and Aspen Institute. https://futureofwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sec-2.pdf
Human Service Professionals: A Ready Workforce for Financial Capability
Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., & Jones, J. L. (2021). Human service professionals: A ready workforce for financial capability. In R. Boshara & I. Rademacher (Eds.), The future of building wealth: Brief essays on the best ideas to build wealth—for everyone (pp. 193–199). Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis & Aspen Institute. https://futureofwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sec-3.pdf
A Policy Mapping Analysis of Goals Related to Bank Accounts in Federal Legislative Proposals
Birkenmaier, J. M. & Janssen, A. (2021). A policy mapping analysis of goals related to bank accounts in federal legislative proposals. Journal of Policy Practice and Research, 3, 96–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42972-021-00037-y
CSD and Partners Launch New Multinational Collaboration in Africa

Mobile phones have become commonplace in sub-Saharan Africa. There, as in other parts of the world, financial technology has proliferated with the expansion of digital access, opening new doors to financial products and services. But this emerging landscape requires financial acumen, and sound guidance can be hard to find.
On July 15, a multinational group of partners gathered virtually to mark the launch of Financial Capability and Asset Building in Africa (FCAB Africa), a new collaboration aimed at meeting these needs.
Brief Report: Health Expenditures for Children with Autism and Family Financial Well-Being in China
Zhou, L., Wang, J., & Huang, J. (2021). Brief report: Health expenditures for children with autism and family financial well-being in China. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05214-2
Reflections of a Central Bank Governor
Addison, E. (2021, July). Reflections of a central bank governor (CSD Perspective No. 21-18). Washington University, Center for Social Development.
FCAB Africa: Advancing Financial Stability, Security, and Well-Being
Center for Social Development. (2021, July). FCAB Africa: Advancing financial stability, security, and well-being (CSD Fact Sheet No. 21-12). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/gmwt-0238
FCAB Africa: Summary of Achievements as of July 2021
Center for Social Development. (2021, July). FCAB Africa: Summary of achievements as of July 2021 (CSD Fact Sheet No. 21-13). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/j5rd-tr36
Lessons on Policies That Strengthen Household Financial Resilience to Overcome Shocks: A Keynote Address by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
Bawumia, M. (2021, July). Lessons on policies that strengthen household financial resilience to overcome shocks: A keynote address by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana (CSD Perspective No. 21-17). Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Teaching Note—Course Models for Increased Competency for Practice Integrated With Financial Capability and Asset Building
Birkenmaier, J., Lane, L. B. Callahan, C.,, & Hageman, S. A. (2021). Teaching note—Course models for increased competency for practice integrated with financial capability and asset building. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(3), 604–611. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2020.1714522
Experimental Effects of Child Development Accounts on Financial Capability of Young Mothers
Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Sherraden, M., & Johnson, L. (2021). Experimental effects of Child Development Accounts on financial capability of young mothers. Journal of Family & Economic Issues, 43,36–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-021-09774-4
Financial Capability and Asset Building: Achievements, Challenges, and Next Steps
Johnson, L., Sherraden, M. S., McClendon, G., Birkenmaier, J., Frey, J., Callahan, C., Huang, J., & Rothwell, D. (2021). Financial Capability and Asset Building: Achievements, challenges, and next steps (CSD Conference Report No. 21-11). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/vnr6-ys64
Building Financial Capability and Assets for Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs
Huang, J., & Guo, B. (2021, April). Building financial capability and assets for disadvantaged entrepreneurs (CSD Research Brief No. 21-10). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/8nyn-h137
Fostering Entrepreneurship among Low-Income Individuals through Financial Capability
Huang, J., & Guo, B. (2021). Fostering entrepreneurship among low-income individuals through financial capability (CSD Working Paper No. 21-08, submitted for publication). Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Addressing the Burden of Education Financing in Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: The Role of Savings Accounts, Cash Transfers, and Other Income Sources
Ansong, D., Okumu, M., Otchere, F., Koomson, I., & Sherraden, M. (2021). Addressing the burden of education financing in low and lower middle income countries: The role of savings accounts, cash transfers, and other income sources. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(4), 745–756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-021-09757-5
Toward Finance as a Public Good
Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., & Sherraden, M. (2021). Toward finance as a public good (CSD Working Paper No. 21-03). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/p8dd-p256
Financial Capability and Asset Building in Social and Economic Development: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
Ansong, D., Okumu, M., Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Johnson, L., & Zou, L. (2020, November). Financial capability and asset building in social and economic development: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (CSD Perspective No. 20-27). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/vh44-x812
FCAB Online Modules | Resources
FCAB Online Modules
Social workers are all too familiar working with families and individuals who face financial vulnerability. The COVID-19 epidemic has only heightened the issue and expanded the number who are financially at risk due to economic and market forces. In response to a growing request for teaching resources, the Center for Social Development is developing a […]
Preparing Social Work Faculty to Teach Financial Capability: Where We Stand
Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Johnson, L., Birkenmaier, J., Loke, V., & Hageman, S. (2020). Preparing social work faculty to teach financial capability: Where we stand. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(), 688–706. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2020.1714524
The Financial Capability and Financial Well-Being of Low-Income Entrepreneurs
Huang, J., & Guo, B. (2020, January). The financial capability and financial well-being of low-income entrepreneurs (CSD Research Brief No. 20-01). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/fmxv-kv62
Applied Social Research: Aiming for Impact
Sherraden, M., Lough, B. J., Sherraden, M. S., Williams Shanks, T. R., & Huang, J. (2019). Applied social research: Aiming for impact. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 10(4), 545–570. https://doi.org/10.1086/706153
Economic and Financial Well-Being in the Social Work Curriculum: Faculty Perspectives
Hageman, S. A., Sherraden, M. S., Birkenmaier, J. M., & Loke, V. (2021). Economic and financial well-being in the social work curriculum: Faculty perspectives. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(2), 251–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1661919
Financial Social Work
Sherraden, M. S., & Huang, J. (2019). Financial social work. In C. Franklin et al. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Work. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.923
Financial Capability and Economic Security Among Low-Income Older Asian Immigrants: Lessons from Qualitative Interviews
Nam, Y., Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., Lee, E. J., & Keovisai, M. (2019). Financial capability and economic security among low-income older Asian immigrants: Lessons from qualitative interviews. Social Work, 64(3), 224–232. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swz015
Financial Inclusion and Financial Access
Birkenmaier, J., Despard, M., Friedline, T., & Huang, J. (2019, February). Financial inclusion and financial access. In C. Franklin et al. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Work. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1331
Financial Capability and Asset Building in Vulnerable Households: Theory and Practice
Sherraden, M. S., Birkenmaier, J., & Collins, J. M. (2018). Financial capability and asset building in vulnerable households: Theory and practice. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
The Pivotal Role of Human Service Practitioners in Building Financial Capability
Watson Grote, M. (2018, May). The pivotal role of human service practitioners in building financial capability (CSD Perspective No. 18-20). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7PG1R9S
Policy Recommendations for Financial Capability and Asset Building by Increasing Access to Safe, Affordable Credit
Birkenmaier, J., Despard, M. R., & Friedline, T. (2018, May). Policy recommendations for financial capability and asset building by increasing access to safe, affordable credit (Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative Policy Brief No. 11-2). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.
Next Steps: Whither Social Work Education and Financial Capability and Asset Building?
Coffey, D. S. (2018, May). Next steps: Whither social work education and financial capability and asset building (CSD Perspective No. 18-16). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7T72H1H
Faculty Perspectives on Financial Capability and Asset Building in Social Work Education: A Research Report
Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., Johnson, L., Dore, P. Birkenmaier, J., Loke, V., & Hageman, S. (2018). Faculty perspectives on financial capability and asset building in social work education: A research report (CSD Research Report No. 18-14). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7RV0N7P
Financial Capability and Asset Building With Diverse Populations: Improving Financial Well-Being in Families and Communities
Birkenmaier, J., Sherraden, M. S., Frey, J. J., Callahan, C., & Santiago, A. M. (Eds.). (2018). Financial capability and asset building with diverse populations: Improving financial well-being in families and communities. New York, NY: Routledge.