In the Fall of 2009, RFG asked consumers that recollected that they received a cross sales attempt when they opened their most recent new checking account to indicate the type of product or service that …

In the Fall of 2009, consumers were asked to indicate how their long-term attitudes and behaviors have changed toward spending, savings, borrowing, and investing given the economic and financial market conditions in the last 18 …

Positive gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2009 would suggest to some that the U.S. economy may be on the road to recovery. However, based upon the pulse of small businesses surveyed by RFG for a national research study conducted in the fall of 2009, such a recovery may not be realized until late 2010 at the earliest.

Consumers were asked to specify the type of financial institution they would consider for a mortgage loan if they needed such credit in the near future.Â
Three out of ten (31%) of all households report that they …

Consumers were asked to specify the type of financial institution they would consider for an Equity Credit Product if they needed such credit in the near future.Â
Twenty-six (26%) of all households report that they will …

Households that opened a checking account in order to obtain a special rate on another account were asked to indicate the status of that checking account.  Of those households, six out of 10 (61%) report that …

Consumers were asked to specify if they ever opened a checking account in order to qualify for a special rate on another account (Savings, CD, MMA, Loan, etc.)  Six percent (6%) of all households reported …

If there is any lesson that our economic past illustrates, it is that the most opportune time to alter your competitive position is in the depth of an economic downturn. And the way you alter your competitive position is not by doing things in the way you have always done them, but by re-examining your priorities in a whole new light.

“Polite as possible, tough as necessary.” This philosophy was pounded into my head when I cut my teeth in financial services as a collections representative. I gained plenty of experience balancing the polite and tough approach, having worked with customers delinquent in mortgages, cards, consumer loans and autos.

Most of us didn’t create the mess we’re in. Most of us didn’t lend overaggressively. Most of us had tight underwriting and strong internal controls. And yet, most of us still find ourselves with rising delinquencies and net chargeoffs, threatening bottom lines and, more critically, capital position.