Study: Consumers Seek Financial Help

In what could be good news for credit unions-consumers are looking for help on becoming more financially savvy. A recent BAI/Finacle Banking Confidence Index reveals that in spite of what’s happened to the economy most consumers still trust their primary financial institution but question their financial institution’s concern with their financial well being. “In today’s fast-changing scenario, consumer opinion counts more than ever before and technology has made the consumer highly empowered,” said Haragopal Mangipudi, global head of Finacle, Infosys Technologies Ltd. “Presented with diverse and ever-dynamic consumer segments, financial institutions need to anticipate changing requirements and fine-tune business strategy.” Of those surveyed, only one out of three respondents said their financial institution understood their financial goals. In addition, the index revealed that the level of trust consumers expressed in their financial services institutions was largely based on how familiar they were with the organization. Fifty-three percent of respondents who were customers of large national banks said they trust their bank. Trust rose to 63% for clients of regional banks, 82% for customers of community banks and 83% for those banking at credit unions. Customers of community banks and credit unions were likely to recommend those institutions by a measure of 72% and 76%, respectively. When asked which items among a list of behaviors respondents had altered to address their financial concerns, 71% said they had trimmed spending on entertainment, 60% had changed eating habits to save money and 34% had postponed medical or dental care. –[email protected]