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2012 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study
Adhering to best practices regarding firm performance, technology, compliance and administrative support yield the highest levels of advisor satisfaction, even among advisors who receive payouts that are lower than industry average, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction StudySM released today.
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2012 U.S. Bank Customer Switching and Acquisition Study
Consumer backlash against bank fees, coupled with poor service and unmet customer expectations, has fueled increases in defection rates among customers of large, regional and midsize banks, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Bank Customer Switching and Acquisition StudySM released today.
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Consumers Prefer Automaker Finance Arms
Negotiating a loan or lease for a new car can be an anxiety-filled experience. However, consumers that arrive at the dealership with a lender preference, but who may not have pre-approvals, and ultimately use that lender to finance their new vehicle purchase or lease tend to have much higher satisfaction levels than consumers who don't have a lender preference and let their dealer work out financing arrangements, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study.SM Furthermore, this study finding holds true whether the consumer is seeking financing from a carmaker's "captive" finance arm, a bank or a credit union. In addition, nearly one-third of luxury vehicle buyers and more than one-fourth of non-luxury vehicle buyers who use the Internet to research financing options ahead of time say that online research has "some" or "big" impact on the selection of their finance provider, the study shows.
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Tips for Smart Car Shoppers
- Know what you can afford. Decide what type of car you really need, and set a price range that fits your budget.
Research. Gather all the information you can find _ including safety, quality, fuel economy, and insurance information _ to learn about the vehicles on your short list.
Review your credit report. Get free copies of your credit report once a year by calling 1-877-322-8228 toll-free or visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. -
Auto Financing Tips
Chances are, if you're planning to buy or lease a new car or truck, you're part of the increasing majority of consumers who do their homework well in advance of taking a test drive. Many consumers research pricing information, features and options, colors, specifications, safety and quality ratings. But if you're not paying cash for your vehicle, do you check interest rates, your credit score, and financing options with the same intensity? If not, you should.
In most cases, the dealership will work with you to explore financing options that fit your budget. But it's always a good idea to have a solid game plan on financing and understand your options before you set foot in a dealership. A recent study by J.D. Power and Associates shows that more consumers are obtaining financing from non-dealer sources such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Currently, more than one in five luxury vehicle buyers secure financing without assistance from the dealer. The auto loan financing market is becoming increasingly crowded. As banks, credit unions, and independent lenders become more active in automotive financing, manufacturer-sponsored financing programs offered by dealers will face pressure to become even more competitive. -
Safe Vehicles You Can Afford
Few will argue that safety is one of the top concerns among new-vehicle buyers in the U.S. these days, along with price, quality, and the sales and service experience. Acknowledging this, automakers have invested heavily into developing new technologies _ and perfecting existing ones _ to improve the safety of their vehicles. Many of these technologies have filtered down to even the least expensive vehicles in a manufacturer's product line, somewhat quieting the critics who argue that one must spend a forThetune to get a car with high safety marks.
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Tips for Selecting a Bank
J.D. Power and Associates offers the following tips to consumers forselecting a bank:
Review your current bank's fee structure, as well as those of itscompetitors, to ensure you are receiving the best deal.
Evaluate the products and extra services you receive from yourbank-including discounts or rewards programs-to ensure they are onesthat meet your needs.
Think about how often you experience problems with your bank,including how well your bank resolves problems and complaints. -
Planning Ahead-A Survival Strategy
The death of a spouse is one of the most traumatic events most people ever have to face. The necessary and inevitable grieving period immediately following such a loss is not the time to deal with difficult and often irreversible financial decisions. However, unless those considerations have been mapped ahead of time, the surviving spouse not only has to scramble to make funeral arrangements, but also must try and make sense out financial issues.
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Charitable Remainder Trusts Provide Financial And Charitable Benefits
Perhaps you have the following problem. You've accumulated considerable assets over a lifetime of working and investing. Now you face a potentially large estate tax bill if you keep those assets until death, or a large capital-gains tax if you sell them. At the same time, you may want a way to boost your retirement income. One solution to this situation may be to give away those assets. That's right, give them away.
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Leasing-Is It Right For You?
The first question many people ask when leasing a vehicle is, "How much is my monthly payment going to be?" But there's more to it than that.
What really needs to be assessed is the total amount being charged over the lease term including fees, taxes, security deposits, and any lease-end payments. Often, there are fees associated with the number of miles driven and the condition of the vehicle at lease end. -
Lets Make a Deal
The banking industry may be in turmoil and the housing market in the tank but consumers looking or home equity lines of credit are actually more satisfied today. The J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Equity Line/Loan Origination StudySM finds that overall customer satisfaction is actually up 14 points in 2008, to 780 on a 1,000 point scale. There's an explanation for that counter-intuitive finding.
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Empty Nest...Full Dorm Room
Students heading off to college this year are taking more - and more expensive - stuff than ever before: computers, cell phones, stereo equipment and CD collections, video equipment and DVDs, cameras, bicycles, clothing, gear and sports equipment, and probably a car. And on the campuses where they're headed, theft is the number one crime, affecting an estimated one in 10 students.
Given these facts, how do you protect your investment? -
Capital One Call Centers Recognized for Excellence
Capital One U.S Credit Card, Retail Banking and Small Business Credit Card Servicing Call Centers Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Customer Service Experience
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Merrill Edge Call Centers Recognized for Excellence
Bank of America's Merrill Edge Call Centers Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Customer Service Experience
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How to Choose the Right Credit Card for your Particular Needs
If you do a lot of traveling, choose a credit card that offers special breaks and services to travelers. For example, some credit cards don't charge extra fees for foreign transactions