IMGCAP(1)]
Most Americans believe the U.S. banking system is unstable, and they expect another major bank to fail soon, new survey data suggest. Maritz Research, a division of St. Louis-based financial services loyalty marketer Maritz Inc., in April conducted an online survey of 2,483 U.S. adults and found that 64% believe the banking system is unstable, and 74% believe a major bank will fail in the next year. Some 55% of respondents believe banks are benefiting unfairly from the government's $700 billion financial bailout introduced late last year, and only 14% of respondents believe banks are using the funds to solve the financial crisis. Some 58% of respondents believe tighter regulation of the financial-services industry is needed. Despite their overall skepticism of the banking industry, the majority of consumers have faith in their own banks. Some 75% of respondents believe their bank will survive the crisis, and 78% said they trust their bank and feel like they are respected as customers.
