CBA and AOL Finance Optimism Index Rises 3.1 Points in November
Washington, D.C. (January 5, 2015) – The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) and AOL Inc. (AOL) monthly Finance Optimism Index rose to -2.2 in November, gaining from October and showing rising consumer financial optimism as the holiday season began.
Americans’ optimism about their personal financial future remained relatively stable with a one point increase. Worry about current financial situation decreased 4 points, with those who strongly agree that they are worried about their current financial situation remaining at 26 percent of respondents.
The Finance Optimism Index tracks optimism through agreement with 4 statements in a survey:
- I am optimistic about my personal financial future.
- I am worried about my current financial situation.
- The news I’ve been hearing in the past few weeks about Americans’ personal finances has been generally positive.
- I am worried that the current economic and political situation is going to affect my personal finances.
The Index is calculated as the percentage of respondents who are optimistic minus the percentage of respondents who are pessimistic. Index values above 0 indicate more respondents felt optimistic than pessimistic, and Index values below 0 indicate more respondents felt pessimistic than optimistic. Survey questions are asked to a random national sample of approximately 1,600 U.S. Online Adults Ages 18+ every month in the AOL/Ipsos MediaCT Brand Tracking Survey.Other indexes that track consumer sentiment focus on economic and business conditions, with less emphasis on how Americans perceive their own personal financial situation. The Finance Optimism Index differs in that it measures the level of financial optimism of individual Americans through their responses to four survey questions and explores factors that influence these attitudes.
The Index is measured continuously with results calculated and reported monthly atFinanceOptimism.org.
About CBA
Founded in 1919, the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) is the trade association for today's leaders in retail banking - banking services geared toward consumers and small businesses. The nation's largest financial institutions, as well as many regional banks, are CBA corporate members, collectively holding well over half of the industry's total assets. CBA’s mission is to preserve and promote the retail banking industry as it strives to fulfill the financial needs of the American consumer and small business.
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.
The Consumer Bankers Association is the recognized voice on retail banking issues in the nation’s capital. Founded in 1919, CBA provides leadership, education, research and federal representation on retail banking issues. For more information, please contact Tom Crosson, tcrosson@consumerbankers.com, (703) 869-1246 or visit www.consumerbankers.com.
