Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Insolvency and Debt Management Roundtable Friday 26 th November, Westminster Room Michael Knobloch iff institute for financial services, Hamburg
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Definitions indebtedness: „ A condition of owing money or something of value to another.“ over-indebtedness: „ The current or future impossibility to amortise the debts on schedule.“ (German Insolvency Code) „A household is regarded to be over-indebted when its income, in spite of a reduction of the living standard, is insufficient to discharge all payment obligations over a longer period of time“ (German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth) 2
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Data collection and processing 3
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 4 Average duration
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Impact of debt advice 5
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 6 Approximately persons passed legal debt-discharge in 2011 Insolvency proceedings, openings
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 7 Triggers of over-indebtedness – as seen by debt advisors
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 8 Professional qualification by age (total population and over-indebted persons)
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 9 Households affected by poverty (total population and by over indebted persons)
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 10 Methodology Quantitative test Former clients of debt advice agency in Wilhelmshaven After legal discharge of debt Identified by debt advice agency Written questionnaire Cash incentive (5 Euro) 400 sent out in June/July 2010 by debt advice agency 78 returned due to wrong address 59 = 18% responded to iff No following up on non-respondants
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Reasons for insolvency as seen by former bankrupts 11
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ estimation of insolvency proceedings 12
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Help requested and received during insolvency 13
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Debts after legal debt discharge 14
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ situation after discharge of debt 15
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Current accounts of over-indebted households 16
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ financial situation by changes in opportunities in the job market 17
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ financial situation by changes in labour situation 18
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ financial situation by changes in income 19
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ income situation by changes in educational level 20
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ financial situation by changes in educational level 21
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany Former bankrupts´ financial situation by changes in health situation 22
Knobloch Researching rehabilitation: evidence from Germany 23 Conclusions Unemployment and failed self employment are key triggers for over-indebtedness Fresh start in Germany takes too long Long waiting period before debt advice Out of court settlements not successful in the majority of cases Great impact of credit bureaus Work is key indicator for post-bankruptcy health Majority manages to rehabilitate without extra-help Minority needs extra-help exceeding “pure” debt advice: Vocational training Education Family counseling Psychological support Debt advice agencies´ resources are not yet sufficient to cover the demand More research needed!