Consumer Education Services, Inc.

What Consumer Education Services, Inc. does

Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1998 by Dr. Diane Chen. The organization provides personal financial education, credit counseling, and HUD-approved housing counseling to individual consumers across the United States, with a stated footprint of 80,000+ consumers served annually at peak and over 500,000 cumulative individuals helped since inception. Service lines include non-profit debt management plans, one-on-one credit counseling, pre-purchase homebuyer education workshops, HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling (HECM) for homeowners 62+, foreclosure prevention counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and financial education resources.

CESI's product surface is built around a Digital Learning Platform that delivers free, self-paced modules covering budgeting, college finance, credit and debt management, retirement, identity theft, and homeownership. This is supplemented by the CESI Guide to Personal Finance (9-chapter curriculum), CESI Challenge Series eBooks, financial calculators, video resources, virtual homebuyer workshops via Zoom, and a CESI Customer App for client account management. The technical footprint is a standard web/application stack without disclosed APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML components.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: state-regulated debt management plan fees (e.g., $50 initial plus ongoing fees not exceeding 15% of enrolled debt in Michigan,), a $50 fee per participant for Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops, and government/grant funding including HUD grants that underwrite the free educational platform and counseling services. Customer acquisition is community-led and partnership-driven, leveraging more than 30 referral relationships with NC-based housing organizations, faith-based groups, veteran services, and financial institutions, alongside direct phone-based counseling (866-635-6414) and event-based outreach such as the Financial Boot Camp webinar series.

Name

Consumer Education Services, Inc.

Legal name

Consumer Education Services, Inc.

Website

https://cesisolutions.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CESI is a Raleigh, NC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1998 that provides credit counseling, HUD-approved housing counseling, debt management plans, and free financial education to individual consumers across the United States, serving 80,000+ people annually at peak.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Consumer Credit Reporting, Collection Agencies (7320), Services-Educational Services (8200), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Credit Counseling & Budgeting (FSAEAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reverse Mortgage Counseling & Consumer Education (HUD-Approved) (FSALAIAG), Credit & Debt Management (Credit Scores, Loans, Repayment) (EDAAAJAC)

Keywords

• Credit counseling services
• Debt management plans
• Housing counseling services
• Nonprofit financial education
• Reverse mortgage counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Non-Profit Service Fees: As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 56-2106758), CESI generates revenue through service fees for debt management plans and counseling services. The organization also receives government funding, particularly from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling programs.
2. Debt Management Plan Fees: State-specific fee structures for debt management services. Michigan disclosure shows initial fee of $50 and ongoing fees not exceeding 15% of debt amount. Fees vary by state based on regulatory requirements.
3. HUD-Funded Programs: Digital learning modules are free and funded largely by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), supporting the organization's mission to provide cost-free financial education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) provider of credit counseling, debt management plans, and HUD-approved housing counseling services. The company also delivers free financial education through a digital learning platform, written guides, webinars, and community-based workshops covering budgeting, credit, debt, homeownership, and retirement topics. Its services target individuals across the financial lifecycle, from debt relief and credit counseling to first-time homebuyer education and reverse mortgage counseling for seniors.

Product overview

Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) is a non-profit organization providing comprehensive personal financial education and debt relief solutions. The offering consists of a portfolio of interconnected services including: non-profit debt relief options and credit counseling as the core offering; HUD-approved housing counseling services encompassing homeownership counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, and down payment assistance programs for North Carolina; and an extensive digital education platform featuring the CESI Guide to Personal Finance (9-chapter curriculum), CESI Challenge Series eBooks, and financial calculators. Additional offerings include the Digital Learning Platform with self-paced courses, video resources, bankruptcy resources, and community outreach programs including Financial Boot Camp webinars and Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops. The CESI Customer App provides client access to services. These products work together to provide a complete financial lifecycle covering credit counseling, housing guidance, debt management, and financial education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Assure Money: A brand under CESI that provided assisted bill pay services to seniors.

Products and services

• Credit Counseling and Debt Management Services Non-profit credit counseling and debt management plans (DMPs) for individuals with unmanageable unsecured debt. Counselors work with consumers and creditors to consolidate payments and reduce interest, with state-regulated fees (e.g., Michigan: $50 initial fee plus ongoing fees capped at 15% of debt under the plan).
• Housing Counseling Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ individuals helped since founding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCESI has partnered with NFCC to offer the Envisioning Homeownership program, helping consumers navigate the entire process of homeownership. NFCC is a long-standing national organization for credit counseling agencies.
• eHome AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnereHome America's signature Homebuyer Education course is the certified web-based program for prospective first-time homebuyers. CESI directs clients to this platform for required homebuyer education.
• Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPLP provides qualified homebuyers in select North Carolina counties with down payment assistance. CESI is a member agency of CPLP, providing access to zero-interest, deferred second mortgages for eligible participants.
• North Carolina Housing Finance AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerN.C. Housing Finance Agency provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations to assist individuals and families with home purchases. CESI works with NCHFA through the CPLP program.
• Healing With CAARE Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal community partner in North Carolina providing financial literacy outreach programs to underserved populations.
• Habitat for Humanity of Wake CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing financial literacy education to prospective homeowners served by Habitat for Humanity programs.
• Junior Achievement of Eastern NCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization delivering financial literacy education to youth and young adults in eastern North Carolina.
• Durham Rescue MissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing financial literacy classes to individuals and families served by the Durham Rescue Mission.
• North Carolina Housing CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide housing advocacy organization partnering on housing education and outreach initiatives.
• First Citizens BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial institution partner supporting financial literacy outreach programs.
• JumpStart CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational financial literacy organization focused on educating young people about money management.
• Wake County Public LibrariesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic library system partner hosting financial literacy education sessions.
• Mission 22minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational non-profit combatting veteran suicide by providing free treatment programs for PTSD and TBI. Partner for veteran financial wellness outreach.
• Durham Economic Resource CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal economic development organization partnering on community financial literacy initiatives.
• Salvation Army Wake CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing financial literacy education to individuals and families served by Salvation Army programs.
• Community Home TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffordable housing organization partnering on financial education for prospective homeowners.
• Volunteers of America CarolinasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans transitional housing program (Maple Court) partner providing financial literacy to veterans.
• Passage HomeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization partnering on financial literacy education programs.
• Capital Area Stand Down for VeteransminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-focused organization partnering on financial wellness outreach.
• Family Promise of Wake CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHomelessness prevention organization partnering on financial literacy education.
• Urban Ministries of DurhamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing financial literacy to individuals served by Urban Ministries programs.
• Piedmont HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare organization partnering on financial literacy for community members.
• Habitat for Humanity of Orange CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffordable housing organization partnering on homeownership education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NeighborWorks America: Congressionally chartered national non-profit network funding and supporting hundreds of local HUD-approved housing counseling agencies — overlapping with CESI's housing counseling mission and serving as both a funder and a competitive channel for HUD-related services.

Direct peers

• Credit.org: Non-profit HUD-approved housing counseling and credit counseling agency providing DMPs, homebuyer education, reverse mortgage counseling, and financial wellness resources. Overlapping customer base and service delivery channels.
• Money Management International (MMI): One of the largest U.S. non-profit credit counseling agencies, providing DMPs, housing counseling (including HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling), and financial education. Direct competitor to CESI in both consumer debt and housing counseling markets.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: Non-profit HUD-approved credit counseling agency offering debt management plans, housing counseling, bankruptcy pre-filing counseling, and financial education — the closest direct analog to CESI in scale, services, and target customer. Competes for the same NFCC-aligned consumer base across multiple states.
• Take Charge America: Non-profit credit counseling and debt management agency offering HUD-approved housing counseling, student loan counseling, and financial education programs. Comparable service mix and B2C direct-to-consumer go-to-market motion.
• InCharge Debt Solutions: Non-profit credit counseling agency providing DMPs, housing counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and financial education, with HUD-approved status and national phone-based delivery model — directly comparable to CESI's core service set and target segments.
• Money Fit by DRS: Non-profit credit counseling agency providing DMPs, housing counseling, student loan counseling, and financial education via phone and digital channels. Comparable service portfolio and consumer segments.
• Navicore Solutions: Non-profit HUD-approved housing and credit counseling agency offering debt management plans, reverse mortgage counseling, homebuyer education, and financial wellness programs. Operates in many of the same states as CESI with a comparable service portfolio.

Emerging players

• Dave Inc. Digital-first fintech offering cash advances, budgeting tools, and credit-building products targeting the same financially stressed consumer demographic as CESI, but through a mobile app rather than counseling sessions. Represents the emerging digital-native competitive threat.

Others

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): Industry association that CESI is a member of; NFCC certifies member agencies and runs shared marketing campaigns. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem player whose standards shape CESI's competitive positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cesisolutions
• Facebookfacebook.com/consumereducationservicesinc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Consumer Education Services, Inc.