More than one-third of bankers predict a ‘better year’ ahead – TNS survey

Customer research organization Kantar TNS, which specializes in providing advice to businesses in the areas of client relations and innovation, reported that 33 percent of bankers it surveyed believe that 2017 will be worse for their businesses than 2016. However, the survey also reported that 37 percent thought the coming year would be better, while 29 percent indicated they believed that 2017 will be comparable with 2016. The survey examined the opinions of approximately 100 bank managers. Among its strongest findings, almost two-thirds said that they believed the operating costs of their banks would increase in 2017, and 75 percent predicted a decline in the number of bank branches. The statement, which summarized the results of the survey, also read, “More than one-third of respondents expected an increase in satisfaction with banking services to customers in the SME segment (39 percent) and in retail (41 percent) which is a more optimistic assessment than last year. According to 26 percent of respondents, the reputation of the banking sector will improve.” However, the research indicated some cause for concern as well. More than half of respondents reported that they looked at 2017 with “anxiety and fear.” However, this was 11 percent fewer who had the same view in 2016. Meanwhile, TNS also said that 46 viewed 2017 “with hope and optimism,” according to the press release of the survey’s results.