As they look ahead to 2014, Americans are getting their financial houses
in order by paying closer attention to their credit scores and managing
their debt, according to the inaugural “How America Buys and Borrows”
survey by Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC).
The survey revealed that Americans are focused on managing their credit,
with nearly 60 percent having checked their credit score or credit
report within the past year. On average, more Americans are proud (40
percent) than concerned (22 percent) about their credit score. This
focus on credit management is part of preparation for the future, as
nearly 80 percent of respondents said they have purchases of $2,000 or
more planned within the next two years. In the coming years, consumers
anticipate financing purchases such as home improvements or a home
purchase (41 percent), travel (32 percent) and automobiles (28 percent).
“77 percent of Americans feel their financial situation is moderate to
good – which is great news as we move ahead to 2014,” said Gary
Korotzer, executive vice president with Wells Fargo’s Consumer Credit
Solutions Group. “It is important for consumers to put themselves in the
driver’s seat when it comes to managing their finances responsibly. An
optimistic outlook for the future is an important key to financial
success along with having clear goals and charting a course to get
there.”
The survey also uncovered generational differences in how consumers
choose to manage or strengthen their financial situations. Boomers and
Gen Xers are more likely to say they actively reduce their debt (42 and
35 percent, respectively) while 35 percent of Millennials say they
choose to focus on increasing their savings.
The survey also revealed that consumers are engaging in healthy fiscal
habits such as paying off their credit cards every month (39 percent,)
saving for major purchases rather than relying on credit (38 percent)
and sticking to a budget every month (32 percent).
“We want our customers to take charge of their finances by understanding
their current situation and their options,” said Korotzer. “When used
responsibly, credit is a resource that can help consumers reach their
financial goals. And we believe Wells Fargo has an important role in
providing tools and resources to help our customers succeed financially.”
The survey also revealed:
-
43 percent of Americans think things will get better in the next year.
44 percent think things will stay about the same.
-
Most believe housing values have bottomed out and expect values to
stabilize or increase.
-
Boomers are more likely to feel the economy is weaker and Millennials
are more positive about the future.
-
Millennials expect their current situation will improve (60 percent),
yet one third are concerned about finding a stable job and paying off
loans.
-
Saving for retirement is a leading concern for both Gen X and Boomers
with 52 percent of Gen Xers and 53 percent of Boomers saying it’s
their top concern.
-
Three in 10 feel they’re saving more compared to a few years ago, or
reducing debt. However, few (one in five) indicate they are
financially prepared for an emergency.
-
When financing a purchase, the total cost of the item is the most
important consideration, followed by the interest rates on credit
cards or other loans.
-
Nearly a third of American homeowners indicate that, with the
exception of a mortgage, they are living debt free.
-
One in four respondents consider themselves “financially savvy,” and
the same number feels that they are doing a good job keeping their
financial house in order.
-
Few (13 percent) feel they have achieved their financial goals and
most rate their understanding of financial management a “B” or a “C.”
As consumers plan for 2014, Wells Fargo offers the following five tips:
-
Develop a realistic budget that includes your income, expenses,
saving for life’s special moments and allowances for life’s unexpected
moments.
-
Manage your cash flow and savings by tracking spending,
reducing debt, saving for emergencies and avoiding overspending.
-
Build for the future by setting financial goals and living
within your means. Create a financial plan to help you reach your
goals and be prepared to adjust it if your life circumstances change.
-
Maintain strong credit and understand the real cost of
borrowing. Know your credit score and check your credit report for
accuracy annually. Before financing a big ticket purchase, understand
the total cost of the loan over time.
-
Protect the money you have by avoiding becoming a victim of
fraud or identity theft by safeguarding your personal information,
reporting lost or stolen items such as checkbooks, debit cards or
credit cards immediately and regularly reviewing your accounts to
confirm all activity is legitimate.
For more information about responsible money management, visit www.wellsfargo.com/myfinancialguide
– Wells Fargo’s free resource to empower consumers with financial
knowledge and resources.
About the How America Buys and Borrows survey
On behalf of Wells Fargo, Ipsos online surveyed over 2,000 American
adults ages 18 and older in September 2013 online to understand
attitudes and perceptions of current economy and personal financial
situations. Weighting on age, gender, education and income was applied
to the results to achieve a nationally representative population. The
“How America Buys and Borrows” survey will be conducted annually.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified,
community-based financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets.
Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides
banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial
finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com),
and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s
customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than
270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the
United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on
Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells
Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help
them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131220005132/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2013