FDIC

December 13, 2012

Nancy Register, Director of America Saves
Saver Attitudes and Behavior

• General Public: Saving Attitudes and Behavior Survey 

Conducted Annually

• America Savers: America Savers Survey, Military Savers 

Survey, Community Impact Survey, Successful Savers 

Stories and Tips

• Financial Institutions: America Saves Week Reporting 

Survey 
Annual Savings Surveys – For 

America Saves Week

• In the annual February surveys, there has been a 

steady decline over the past three years in some key 

savings indicators.

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Spend less 

than income 

and save the 

difference

73% 72% 73% 71% 66%

Have 

sufficient 

emergency 

savings

71% 72% 71% 70% 66%

Saving 

enough for 

retirement

52% 49% 52% 47% 43%

Building 

home equity 67% 62% 68% 65% 63%
Annual Savings Surveys – For 

America Saves Week

• Having a savings plan with specific goals can 

have beneficial financial effects, even for lower-income 

families

Have Savings Plan No Plan

All Families

Spend less than income 85% 44%

Sufficient emergency savings 56% 43%

Saving enough for retirement 75% 24%

Families With Income Under 

$25,000

Spend less than income 63% 30%

Sufficient emergency savings 69% 27%

Saving enough for retirement 37% 8%

Families With Incomes 

$25,000-$50,000

Spend less than income 79% 57%

Sufficient emergency savings 79% 52%

Saving enough for retirement 63% 29%
America Saves Surveys of Savers

• Savers who joined America Saves in 2010 reported saving $2,000* since joining America Saves.

• Savers of all income levels reported being able to 

save – including savers making less than $25,000 who 

reported saving $400* since joining America Saves. 

• The most important saving goals for savers include: Debt 

Repayment, Emergency Fund, and Retirement.

• Savers tell us that since they joined America Saves they feel 

more hopeful about their financial situation, they 

are saving more, and they are managing their debt 

better. 

* Median Amount Saved
America Saves Surveys of Savers

• As a group, female savers reported saving $500 less per 

household than male savers.

• Married and single savers reported saving $1,000* or 

more vs. divorced/separated savers who reported only 

saving $500* since joining America Saves.

• Savers age 55-64 reported saving the most successfully -

saving $2,000* or more since joining America Saves.

* Median Amount Saved
Saver Tips and Stories

• Savers tell us that they don’t think they can save.

• Those who do save point to automatic savings and having a 

plan as the best ways to save.

“I didn’t think I had enough money to 

save but I started by putting $25-$50 

away with each paycheck and now I 

have a nice little fund.” – Aimee 

Shaffer, Okaloosa Saver

“The hardest part of getting out of 

debt was working with limited funds. 

In the beginning, I did not believe I

would ever get out.” – Tonya Shelton, 

Indy Saver

“Every payday I would get a roll 

of quarters ($10) and put it in a 

jar at home. Now it’s a roll of 

dollars ($25) every payday to put 

in a jar that I don’t touch.– Linda 

Jones, Virginia Saver

“My husband and I like to save 

our change in a plastic container. 

Every three months we roll our 

coins.” – Roberta Lane, Tampa 

Saver
Saver Stories

• Military Saver: “The first thing I’m going to do is get my emergency fund back on 

track again. It’ll take a little time, but it starts a little at a time. Even if its just $5.00 

a week, it adds up.”

• Charlotte Saver: When Kish Barns first started saving she added $25 per week 

towards her saving account. Today she is up to around $50 per week. “It’s an 

adjustment,” said Barns. When she saw the changes even after 2 months, she 

realized what a difference saving had made.

• Utah Saver: Dominguez also set up an automatic, monthly transfer from her 

checking to savings account. It’s something she recommends to other savers because 

it makes you approach savings, “like a bill, something you have to pay each month,” 

she said. “I don’t even have to think about it. It’s already done.”
Financial Institutions

These institutions:

• Want to help people save

• Are increasingly willing to 

participate in America 

Saves Week

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Financial Institutions

2011

2012

Participation in 

America Saves Week
Financial Institutions

ING U.S. Retirement

• Rolled out a savings program for the more than 5 million retirement plan customers 

ING serves across the nation. Their initiative reinforced the theme of America Saves 

Week, and encouraged investors to picture what they want in retirement

Navy Federal Credit Union

• Promoted goal-oriented Custom Club Account February 20 – March 18; APY was 

increased to 2.00%; No direct deposit or checking account requirement Automatic 

recurring deposits can be set up and manual deposits made anytime; 11,532 Custom 

Club Accounts were opened totaling $22.5 million

The First – A National Banking Association

• Opened 152 new accounts during America Saves Week totaling almost $56,000.00 in 

new money Waived the service charge for any account under $100.00 for one year 

and opened accounts with as little as $15.00

Marquette Bank

• Offered a 0.70% APY promotional rate for 60 days on all new savings accounts and a 

$25 savings match on all new minor savings accounts

The Peoples Bank

• Small community bank consisting of three offices offered their savings account to 

customers with a reduced $5 opening deposit
Contact Information

Thank You

Questions or More Information:

Nancy Register, nregister@consumerfed.org