African American Investors Optimistic About Financial Future and the Economy, but Concerned About Retirement, According to Recent Wells Fargo Survey

African American Investors Optimistic About Financial Future and the Economy, but Concerned About Retirement, According to Recent Wells Fargo Survey

Saving for Retirement Moves to Back-Burner as Investors Focus on Day-to-Day Financial Challenges

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2013 – African American investors report high levels of confidence in their financial future, along with optimism about the political and economic future of the country, according to a recent Wells Fargo nationwide survey.  Despite proactive planning and intentional cuts in spending, African American investors remain focused on day-to-day living expenses, with a large majority concerned about having enough money to retire.

Three in five (60%) African American investors express confidence in their own financial future, slightly higher than the national response (52%), while half (52%) report they are better off now than they were three years ago, same as the general population.

“The optimism and confidence articulated by African American investors is encouraging, particularly as those surveyed are feeling financially better off than they were three years ago,” said Jeff Cosby, Financial Advisor and Vice-President, Investment Officer in the Bloomington, Minnesota office of Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo.  “Where we see the biggest opportunity is helping people really consider how they are approaching saving and planning for retirement.  It is important for financial advisors to help investors think through long-term strategies for investment planning, while also providing guidance on common concerns like how to balance paying off debt while continuing to save for retirement.”

While African American investors have made progress in retirement planning and preparation, most are concerned about having enough money to retire.  African American investors are taking necessary steps toward preparing for retirement, as 45% of those surveyed have cut back on their spending to put away money for retirement (compared to 36% of the national population), and two in five (40%) non-retired African-American investors have a retirement savings plan in place (similar to the national population, 42%).  Among non-retired African-Americans, having a plan is most prevalent among those earning over $100,000 annually (68% earning more than $100,000 have a plan vs. 35% of those earning less than $100,000.).

Compared to the US overall, African American investors are less likely to consider themselves financially comfortable (38% vs. 51% overall). More than a third (36%) of non-retired African American investors surveyed report that their biggest financial concern is paying their monthly bills; saving for retirement ranks second at 22%, followed by healthcare costs at 15%.  Three in five African American investors are more focused on debt reduction (59%) than saving for retirement.  And just over half (52%) of those surveyed are concerned they won’t have enough saved for retirement (similar to all adults).  African-American investors less than 50 years old are particularly concerned (64%, vs. 39% of those ages 50 and over).

Just over a third (36%) of African American investors are confident in knowing where to invest in today’s market (similar to the national population, 31%).

“All investors – regardless of age or level of savings – should be focused on planning for retirement, and turning plans into actual saving and investing,” said Cosby.  “Many African American investors, much like the general population of overall investors, find investing in today’s economy daunting.  It’s important to seek advice from a trusted professional to help navigate the ups and downs of the market, with an eye on long-term financial goals.  It can be scary, but with all the resources and tools available, it can be done.”

Living in multi-generational households also has a significant impact on African American investors’ savings, as a number of respondents are caring for their own children, as well as aging parents or grandparents.  One in five (20%) African American investors surveyed report living in three-generational households.  Three in four (77%) African American adults surveyed who live in three-generational households are concerned they will not save enough to support themselves in retirement, compared to just 46% of those outside of multi-generational households.

Almost three quarters of African American investors (73%) are optimistic about the political direction of the country, significantly higher than the general population (43%), while four in five (83%) feel the U.S. economy will improve in the next two years (compared to 47% of the general population).  Seventy-two percent of those surveyed expect their local economy to improve in the next two years (compared to 45% of the overall adult population), and nearly three in four see improvements in their local housing market (71%, vs. 54% nationally).

As part of Wells Fargo’s proactive outreach to the segment, the company is focused on providing financial education for African American consumers to empower them to achieve financial success.  Wells Fargo has developed a comprehensive financial education platform that offers guidance on financial topics that resonate with the segment.  Through relationships with national and community organizations and media outlets nationwide, Wells Fargo uses print, digital and workshop formats to deliver financial solutions to a broad range of audiences.   An additional Wells Fargo resource is My Financial Guide, an online resource consisting of articles, videos and tools aimed at helping consumers become more confident and knowledgeable in money management.

About the Study

These survey findings are based on an online survey conducted November 9 – December 3, 2012 among adults nationwide (N=1,105) and African American adults (N=500). Qualified respondents were non-students, ages 25-75, who are the primary or joint financial decision-maker in the household with household investable assets of at least $10,000. Survey results are weighted to reflect Census data for gender, age, race/ethnicity, region and household income to ensure representativeness.  Assuming no sample bias, the maximum margin of error for the National sample is ± 2.9% and ± 4.4%  for African American adults.

Note: Complete survey results are available upon request.

About Market Probe

Market Probe is a full-service market research firm, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, with offices in Evanston, IL, specializing in behavioral and opinion research among hard-to-reach populations and professional communities. For more information, visit marketprobe.com.

About Wells Fargo Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement

Wells Fargo Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement (WBR) is one of the largest wealth managers in the U.S. WBR includes Wells Fargo Advisors, the third-largest brokerage in the U.S.; Wells Fargo Private Bank, serving high-net-worth individuals and families; Abbot Downing, serving ultra-high-net-worth families; and Wells Fargo Retirement, which manages $266 billion in institutional retirement plan and pension assets for 3.7 million Americans. Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (members SIPC).

About Wells Fargo Advisors

With $1.2 trillion in client assets as of December 31, 2012, Wells Fargo provides investment advice and guidance to clients through 15,414 full-service financial advisors and 3,248 licensed bankers.  This vast network of advisors, one of the nation’s largest, serves investors through locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (members SIPC).  Statistics include other broker-dealers of Wells Fargo & Company. http://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.

About Wells Fargo (Twitter: @WellsFargo)

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 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, 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 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States.  Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2012 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

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