Consumer & Mortgage Loans
Consumers will provide information on which loan types they would be willing to apply for online. The survey will determine which type (and what percent) of direct mail loan or credit card solicitations ultimately resulted in a purchase. SPSG will how likely consumers are to refinance within the next year, and how man have plans to purchase a home/condo in the future. The survey will explore the typical time span from consumers’ last mortgage or refinance, and what the last mortgage was used for (purchase or refinance). The research will determine the value consumers place on the retention/servicing of their mortgage by their financial institution.

Home Equity Lending
Home ownership and future purchase intent will be trended. SPSG will look at who has home equity loans and lines of credit and for what purposes they are being used. The survey will investigate whether a previous financial relationship is a significant factor in consumer choice of equity lender. The survey will inquire through which medium, or in what manner most HELOC/loan borrowers were initially solicited; then which channels they preferred to use to apply for their loans/lines. The research will present 7 equity features to determine which was most important to consumers in selecting their equity lender. Consumer preference for fixed, flexible or some combination of payments will be explored, along with the value they place on credit card access to an equity line of credit.

Deposit and Investment Accounts 
SPSG will explore the types of new deposit/investment accounts consumers will open in the next 12 months, and to which existing accounts they plan to add. For CDs, the survey revisits the minimal rate of interest for which consumers would be willing to commit for 3 different terms (6 months, 1 year and 2 years), as well as which CD enhancement features they find most attractive. 

The survey will seek to determine the extent of consumer reactions to recent corporate accounting scandals, fraudulent activities and the volatile stock market. 
It inquires about the changes consumers have made in existing and ongoing deposit accounts and investments, where they are safekeeping their money, and if prior investment habits been altered, either temporarily or permanently. 

SPSG will pose the question of whether or not consumers believe their primary financial institution is a viable source from which to purchase stocks and mutual funds, as well as what information sources they typically use to attain their financial objectives. The survey asks consumers to rank which financial service providers they most prefer for 8 specific services (financial planning, retirement savings, checking and savings, long term savings, mutual funds, stocks, auto loans, and home equity loans). An inquiry is also made as to which financial goals consumers rate as most important.

Retirement Savings 
The survey will ask consumers when and with what monetary amount (desired retirement balance) consumers plan on retiring, and if recent market declines have affected their plans. SPSG explores consumer preference of retirement funding choice across 10 different investment products.

Insurance Products
SPSG member interest in insurance product usage remains high. Consumers will be asked which policies they own/plan on owning, and how many companies with which they typically deal. We will inquire into the likelihood of consumers purchasing insurance from their primary financial institution, and where their current purchases are typically made.

Small Business
The fall study will provide an update on traditional and non-traditional competitors as they vie for the small business market. The strategies and tactics being employed to grow new business in this arena will be explored.

Competitive Update
SPSG brings together competitive information from a variety of sources nationwide to keep program members abreast of the most recent marketing strategies and tactics being employed nationally.

Key Financial Trends 
Continuous tracking of key economic statistics relating to marketing of financial services will provide insight to consumers’ borrowing and investment decisions for the upcoming months.

Regulatory/Legislative Update 
SPSG monitors key regulatory and legislative issues that will impact financial services marketing. Anticipate and prepare for impending changes by identifying potential product issues.

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