Overall, Tennessee received a C grade on the 2005 Assets and Opportunity Scorecard. Tennessee stands out favorably in household asset equality by race, where it ranks 4th, but its performance on other financial security measures is troubling. The state's rankings in terms of households with savings accounts (40th), bankruptcy rate (51st), and subprime loans (45th) suggest that residents of the Volunteer State are more likely to be crippled by their loans than to use debt as a tool to create wealth. While Tennessee does provide support for an asset-building savings program, the state should consider additional policy measures to promote the financial security and stability of its citizens, such as predatory lending norms and standards.

Education is an important driver of individuals' ability to build assets, and Tennessee's rankings are cause for concern. The state ranks 43rd in Head Start coverage, 41st in math proficiency, 40th in reading proficiency, and 43rd in heads of households with two years of college. Tennessee, however, is a leader in safeguarding the economic security of its children by providing a crucial safety net: the state ranks 6th for the low percentage of its low-income children who lack health insurance.