Mission
ByDesign Financial Solutions™ changes lives through financial education.

History
ByDesign Financial Solutions™, previously known as Consumer Credit Counselors of Los Angeles and doing business as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Sacramento Valley, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mid-Counties and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Valley, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit community service agency dedicated to providing comprehensive personal finance solutions through education, tailored services and strategic relationships.

The organization offers community-based services--personal finance education, confidential individual counseling, numerous housing-related services and debt reduction plans. A member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), and accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), ByDesign Financial Solutions was established more than 40 years ago by the local business community to educate consumers about money management, promote the wise use of credit and assist families in overcoming financial difficulties. We are governed by a diverse, community-based board of directors representing the greater Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton and Fresno regions.

ByDesign™ is best known for the credit and debt counseling and disbursement services we have provided to consumers in California since the early 1960’s. The end product of a merger, in 2004, of four independent CCCS agencies, we now offer services in 21 counties throughout California.

Standards of Excellence

NFCC Membership
ByDesign Financial Solutions™ is a long-standing member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)--the largest, longest serving and most well-respected credit counseling network in the country. NFCC’s mission is to set the national standard for quality credit counseling, debt reduction services and education for financial wellness, through its member agencies. With more than 1,000 community-based offices nationwide, NFCC members help over a million households annually. NFCC members, often known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS), can be identified by the NFCC member seal. This seal signifies that an agency employs the best business practices possible to ensure your funds are safe and that the agency's mission is focused on you--the consumer.

To retain NFCC membership, an agency must:

• Be accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA);
• Have all counselors certified;
• Provide comprehensive budget and credit counseling at a low cost; and
• Subscribe fully to a number of best practice standards.

All of ByDesign™'s counselors are required to be NFCC-certified before they may counsel clients. The six-exam certification series covers:

• Consumer Rights and Responsibilities;
• Spending Plans and Budgeting;
• Credit and Borrowing;
• Debt Management and Bankruptcy;.
• Challenging Issues--A psychological look at how different life events affect a client's family structure, economic attitude and behavior, and spending patterns that influence the way clients manage money and approach decisions about future goals and needs;and
• Counseling Principles and Processes.

Council on Accreditation
ByDesign Financial Solutions™ is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA is an international, not-for-profit, independent and highly respected accrediting body that accredits more than 1,400 social service organizations/programs.

COA accreditation:

• Identifies organizations in which consumers may have confidence.
• Protects organizations against lowering standards.
• Enables organizations to meet measurement and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrates accountability in the management of resources.

Better Business Bureau Membership
ByDesign Financial Solutions™ is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureaus in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno.

Best Practices
In addition to the standards of excellence required by the NFCC, COA, and BBB, ByDesign™ has our own comprehensive set of Best Practices, a Client Bill of Rights, and a Complaint Resolution Process.

Coalition for Quality Credit Counseling
ByDesign™ is a founding member of the Coalition for Quality Credit Counseling (CQCC), participating actively in the drafting of responsible legislation in California. 2002 saw passage of AB 2293 that mandated consumer protections and best practices. In 2004, AB 403 was signed into law, adding additional consumer protections.

Funding
ByDesign™’s funding comes from charitable contributions from creditors, foundations, and individuals, fees from clients for services, and grants for specific services from federal, state and local government sources. ByDesign™ receives no government subsidies.

ByDesign™ seeks to provide services at the lowest cost possible to consumers, so that everyone, regardless of income, can take advantage of our services. Many of our services are free, and no service is ever denied for lack of ability to pay.

The generous support of our many funders makes this possible. Click here to learn how you can help us achieve our mission.