In today’s complex landscape of investment products such as the 401(k), 529, HSA, and many more, it can be especially difficult for those with limited resources— disproportionately Black and Latinx women living on low to moderate incomes (LMI)—to access the investing system as a channel to build wealth. This analysis examines investing programs, platforms, and properties to identify opportunities for investor ecosystem stakeholders to create products and channels that meet the needs of this underserved segment.

From a retirement plan or Health Savings Account (HSA) offered through workplace benefits, to a 529 plan to start saving for a child’s college education, consumers are inundated with options to save and invest for both the near-term and the future. This confusing landscape can be especially complex for those with limited resources for savings, disproportionately Black and Latinx women living on low to moderate incomes (LMI) who have been historically excluded from using the investing ecosystem as a channel to build wealth.   

Commonwealth conducted focus groups followed by in-depth interviews to better understand the experiences of Black and Latinx women living on LMI who are navigating the investing ecosystem, with a focus on programs, platforms, and properties. 

Read more in our report Mapping the Investor Journey: Research and Insights on the Experience of Women Earning Low and Moderate Incomes.

This work was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Wells Fargo Foundation.