Erste Bank savings and credit forecast for Q2 2018

According to the latest INTEGRAL survey conducted on behalf of Erste Bank und Sparkassen, 8 in 10 Austrians want to save or invest money in the next 12 months. Investments of around 4,800 Euros on average are planned. This figure was 200 Euros lower during the same period in 2017. The most popular forms of investment continue to be savings books at 59% (+2), building-society contracts at 49% (+2), and life insurance at 34% (+2). Securities come in at 29%, which is 5 percent higher than in the 2nd quarter of last year. “That’s a good development given the ongoing zero interest. These days, it’s impossible to achieve any return on your capital without having securities in your portfolio”, says Thomas Schaufler, Director of Private Customer Business at Erste Bank Austria. At 34% (+3), pension schemes are also enjoying growing popularity, while property purchases are a focus for 18% (-1). Around 17% of Austrians do not plan to invest any money over the next 12 months.