How the Consumer Survey Was Conducted

Several articles in today's American Banker report results of its 12th annual survey of consumer attitudes toward banking and financial services. (See also the Regional, Investment Products, Credit/Debit/ATMs, and Technology sections.)

For the fifth consecutive year, the survey was conducted by the Gallup Organization Inc., Princeton, N.J.

Gallup also assisted in preparation of the questionnaire and in analysis of the results, which it gathered in 1,027 telephone interviews from Sept. 1 to Sept. 11.

The interviewees were located by random-digit telephone dialing, which ensures a representative sampling of all U.S. households. Interviews proceeded only with heads of household who had at least one type of account with a financial service provider.

Respondents typically spent 15 to 20 minutes answering about 40 questions.

The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 3% at the 95% confidence level. This means that on questions answered by all 1,027 people, it is 95% certain that the total population would fall within three percentage points of the result. The sampling error widens when applied to smaller groups of respondents.

For information about the Gallup Organization and its tabulations, contact Carole Hewitson, vice president, at 609-924-9600.

The American Banker plans to publish a more extensive report on the survey, including these articles, the full questionnaire, and more detailed tabulations. For information call 800-367-3989 or 212-803-8368.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER