Experian-Gallup Survey Shows Three in 10 Consumers Say It's Hard to Make Ends Meet

COSTA MESA, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index(SM) survey, 65 percent of consumers say they save some money regularly, while 31 percent report that it's hard enough just to make ends meet. The survey also revealed interesting statistics about consumer financial concerns, credit card usage, quality of life and spending habits. In addition, the Personal Credit Index(SM) is down 15 points to 90, which is the lowest level since November 2006. More information for the Personal Credit Index can be found at http://www.personalcreditindex.com/.

Financial Concerns

"Although many more Americans say they are saving regularly than is the conventional wisdom, consumers' greatest worry is not having enough money for retirement, with 42 percent of all consumers voicing this concern," said Ty Taylor, president of Experian Consumer Direct.

Additional noteworthy survey results on consumer financial concerns include:

  *  38 percent are concerned about not being able to pay medical costs
     associated with a serious illness
  *  28 percent fear not being able to pay the medical costs for normal
     health care
  *  28 percent worry about not being able to maintain the standard of
     living they enjoy
  *  21 percent are concerned about not having enough money to pay their
     monthly bills
  *  16 percent are worried about not being able to pay their rent,
     mortgage or other housing costs
  *  13 percent worry about not being able to make minimum payments on
     their credit cards

  Credit Card Usage

According to the survey, in general, women are less likely than men to say they pay off the full amount each month (34 percent versus 41 percent). Also, those who do not save regularly are significantly less likely than their male counterparts to report they pay the full amount on their credit cards each month (18 percent versus 47 percent).

  Additional survey findings on consumer credit card usage include:

  *  37 percent say they generally pay the full amount of their credit card
     bill(s) each month.
  *  13 percent say they usually pay the full amount but not always
  *  24 percent say they pay as much as they can but usually leave a balance
  *  11 percent report that they usually pay the minimum but not much more
  *  13 percent said they did not have any credit cards

  Quality of Life

According to the survey, three in four consumers (76 percent) feel they have enough money to live comfortably right now. Among those having incomes of $75,000 or more, 91 percent believe they have enough money right now to live comfortably, while only 61 percent of those having incomes less than $40,000 annually feel they have enough money to live comfortably. Similarly, 88 percent of those who have graduated college feel they have enough money to live comfortably, compared with 69 percent of those with a high school education or less.

Spending Habits

A majority (54 percent) of consumers feel this is a bad time to spend money, as opposed to 42 percent who feel they are in a good position to buy some things they would like to have. However, how consumers feel about spending money is highly related to income. For example:

  *  Only 26 percent of those making less than $40,000 annually feel they
     are in a good position to buy, while 71 percent feel they are not
  *  In sharp contrast, 60 percent of those making $75,000 or more feel
     they are well-positioned to spend, while only 38 percent of these
     consumers feel they are not in a good position to buy
  *  Among those making $40,000 but less than $75,000, 44 percent feel they
     are in a good position to spend, while 53 percent feel they are not

  Personal Credit Index

Consumer perceptions of the credit markets fell sharply in March, according to the Personal Credit Index as it plunged 15 points from 105 in January and 105 in February to 90 in March. This is the lowest level for the Personal Credit Index since November of last year, when it stood at 83.

"One of the key benefits of the Personal Credit Index is the window it provides on how consumers perceive the credit markets," said Dennis Jacobe, chief economist for The Gallup Organization. "If regulators and the banks they regulate are beginning to pull back on the very easy availability of consumer credit that has existed during recent years, then something of an unusual consumer credit crunch could take place. In fact, the sharp drop in the Personal Credit Index for March may be signaling that the start of such a consumer credit crunch is already under way."

More information about the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index can be found on the official Web site at http://www.personalcreditindex.com/.

About the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index

The Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index is based on a monthly nationwide survey of households and measures four key areas related to credit: level of debt, monthly payment burden, credit rating and debt extension capability. The sampling was conducted in January, February and March 2007 and included 3,013 adults, age 18 and over, randomly selected from across the country. The sampling error is plus or minus two percentage points.

About The Gallup Organization

The Gallup Organization has studied human nature and behavior for more than 70 years. Gallup employs many of the world's leading scientists in management, economics, psychology and sociology. Gallup performance management systems help organizations increase customer engagement and maximize employee productivity through measurement tools, course work and strategic advisory services. Gallup's 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web, at Gallup University's campuses and in 40 offices around the world.

About Experian

Experian(R) is a global leader in providing analytical and information services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions. Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage. For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.

Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. Experian employs more than 12,500 people in 34 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales are in excess of $3.1 billion.

For more information, visit the Group's Web site at http://www.experiangroup.com/.

Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

  Contact:  Heather Greer
            Experian
            714 830 7756
            heather.greer@experian.com