Introduction/Background
In recent years, the role that savings and
assets play in shaping people's lives has increasingly captured the attention
of researchers, policy analysts and elected officials. Their interest in
savings and building wealth has grown along with an increased awareness of
specific policy tools and interventions, such as matched savings accounts
available for lower-income workers. The launch of the SEED Initiative in
October 2003 was an important marker in this process because it introduced the
