Uncertain Times for the European Consumer: Financial Choices Under Pressure

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Uncertain Times for the European Consumer: Financial choices under pressure

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Introduction

Turbulent economic conditions in Europe have exposed consumers to uncertainty as to what the future holds. This has important implications for financial services (FS) providers and their client interactions.

Scope

*The report discusses the economic events influencing the European consumer and the likely effects on their product and provider choices

*Extensive secondary research allows detailed analysis as to the opportunities presented by the recovering European consumer.

Highlights

The recently established Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) has estimated that the UK national debt will peak at 70.3% of GDP in 201314, reduced as a result of the cuts made in the recent budget.

Cash-strapped governments will be limited in the support that they can offer. It therefore rests on consumers to seek private means to protect themselves and FS providers to convince consumers of the gravity of this need.

European consumers will continue to seek to minimize uncertainty in 2010 through tighter control on what they can influence. They are attempting to increase their knowledge and understanding but FS providers must meet them halfway.

Reasons to Purchase

*Understand the economic uncertainty and drivers of policy impacting the European market.

*Understand how these events will influence the decision making of consumers, now and in the future.

*The report provides insight into the opportunities presented by the changing European climate for FS providers.

Overview 1

Catalyst 1

Summary 1

Methodology 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

Table of figures 2

Table of tables 3

Uncertain Economic Climate 4

Introduction 4

TREND: National debt will limit future economic growth in Europe 4

The European debt situation is a serious threat to a global recovery 4

The Greek debt situation threatened to boil over into a full blown crisis at the beginning of 2010 6

A major component of the Greek debt threat was the risk of contagion with other major economies 6

The rescue package has relieved many market concerns but comes at a cost 6

Some economists believe that the threat to the eurozone is not yet over 6

Returning debt to manageable levels will be a lengthy and potentially painful process 7

The magnitude of public debt is higher than that which could be solved by economic growth alone 8

The impact on growth is somewhat ambiguous but the cuts will still be felt by consumers 8

TREND: Monetary policy will be tightened as inflationary pressure increases 8

Consumers have seen record lows in central bank interest rates but this will change as the recovery gains pace 8

Expectations of inflation may well rise if monetary policy is mistimed 9

Monetary policy in the UK provides a particular challenge, with rising inflation expectations and a fragile recovery 9

Monetary policy surprises may well reveal vulnerabilities in the EU banking sector 10

There remains sizeable variation in the finances and economies of European countries 10

The UK must be careful not to ignite inflation in a still weak economic recovery 10

France looks to 2011 before freezing public sector spending 12

Germany's finances are in better shape than its neighbors' but action is still needed 13

Italy aims to bring its mammoth national debt under control and currently retains the market's confidence 14

The Netherlands will see its public finances stagnate in 2010 before strengthening in 2011, depending on the political balance of power 15

Spanish unemployment is nearing one in five and is not set to improve until 2011 16

Sweden suffered a tough recession but is set to recover quickly, with a relatively light fiscal burden 17

THE CONSUMER RESPONSE 19

The uncertain climate will create opportunities for FS consumers 19

INSIGHT: Confused consumers will need guidance, particularly in a changing savings and investments landscape 19

The savings and investment environment will be in flux as savings accounts move in sync with central bank rates and incentives change to align with new tax regimes 19

ACTION POINT: Better access to advice should be a priority for both the public and private sector 20

INSIGHT: Consumers must be made to understand that bank lending will remain constrained 20

INSIGHT: Mortgage competition could heat up as consumers reconsider the value of their standard variable rates 20

ACTION POINT: Uncapped SVRs are coming into more use as mortgage lenders protect themselves from future low interest rate regimes 21

INSIGHT: Pensions providers must stress the importance of private pension income 21

Consumers need to be made aware that they are responsible for looking after themselves in retirement 21

ACTION POINT: Pension provision must be simplified to make a clear solution apparent to consumers 21

INSIGHT: European consumers will seek simple products that protect them against potential risks in these uncertain times 22

Consumer watchdogs which expose complicated superfluous products will encourage consumers to stick to what they know 22

ACTION POINT: Product presentation has never been more important as consumers are not willing to invest significant time in understanding the prospective offerings 23

Scarcity of information can dissuade the jittery European consumer 23

INSIGHT: Insurance providers should step into the gap left by a depleted state presence 23

Income protection and mortgage payment protection could provide consumers with a support structure should the worst occur 23

Private health insurance products may appeal as waiting times are likely to increase with government cuts beginning in earnest 24

Healthcare cash plans could be an attractive outlet for increased concern over medical provision 24

ACTION POINT: The importance of 'taking care of yourself' must be highlighted 25

APPENDIX 26

Methodology 26

Further reading 27

Secondary sources 27

Ask the analyst 27

Datamonitor consulting 27

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Healthcare will have to see cuts if government deficits are to be seriously tackled 24

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Fiscal stability has dramatically deteriorated since the onset of the crisis 5

Figure 2: Consumers have seen record lows in central bank interest rates 9

Figure 3: The UK government has revealed its emergency budget 12

Figure 4: France: unemployment and fiscal debt will peak this year before improving thereafter 13

Figure 5: Germany: a large deterioration in the fiscal balance this year will be offset by a strong austerity package 14

Figure 6: Italy continues to set its sights on reducing its budget deficit to 2.7% by 2012 15

Figure 7: Budget cuts in the Netherlands will depend heavily on political power struggles 16

Figure 8: Poor growth prospects exacerbate a burdensome national debt 17

Figure 9: Sweden suffered from a deep recession but is set to recover quickly 18

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