NerdWallet Financial Resilience Index slips to 61.5 as Americans’ day-to-day financial control falls to 73%

• NerdWallet’s September 2026 Financial Resilience Index fell to 61.5 from 62.1 in August, signalling weaker household financial readiness.
• Share of Americans feeling in control of day-to-day finances slid to 73% from 75% in August, extending a two-month decline.
• Recession expectations dropped to 61% from 64%, marking improved macro sentiment despite deteriorating personal budget confidence.
• Cash cushions weakened, with 63% able to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, down from 67% in August.
• Credit reliance stayed elevated at 35%, with parents more likely to use credit than non-parents, 44% versus 31%.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Nerdwallet Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 202609220900BIZWIRE_USPR_____20260922_BW094150) on September 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.