Consumers left vulnerable over lack of financial literacy
Consumer research released by the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) has uncovered an imbalance of financial knowledge and a high level of vulnerability among consumers.
Only a fifth of consumers surveyed had a basic grasp of financial literacy and more than three quarters failed to grasp basic financial concepts like tax and inflation.
Despite this, over two thirds said they would be confident in managing their own money, but only four per cent were justifiably confident in their financial literacy.
It also found the Royal Commission had resulted in over a 50 per cent drop in consumer trust levels to 19 per cent and a majority believed positive changes from the commission would be short lived.
Chris Whitehead, FINSIA chief executive officer, said the results had been alarming and that it’s crucial for bankers to make competent ethical decisions.
“It is clear consumers overestimate their ability to understand their finances, which means it is imperative for financial practitioners to be professional and ethical, demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour,” Whitehead said.
“The fact that only 19 per cent of consumers surveyed trust their banks proves there is a widening trust gap that needs to be filled now.
“It really does show that customers are caught between a rock and a hard place – the fact that they don’t trust their banks or have the financial capability to manage their own money puts them in a vulnerable and susceptible position.”
AUTHOR
Chris Dastoor
Recommended for you
High-net-worth advisers seeking to grow their businesses are likely to find alternatives to be a key part of the puzzle amid investor demand, according to Praemium’s head of private wealth.
The financial advice profession has lifted back above the 15,500 mark this week thanks to a double-digit net rise in adviser numbers, according to Wealth Data.
A closer watch on licensees that fall short on cyber security protections is among a dozen new enforcement priorities announced by the corporate regulator for 2025.
Research house Morningstar has welcomed a new director for manager research to cover Australian and New Zealand fund managers.
