64 pct of Vietnamese consumers use online banking services: Nielsen

Nielsen’s survey results showed that 64 percent of Vietnamese consumers are using online banking services for investment transactions, even though 77 percent of surveyed people said they are still conducting transactions at banks, therefore the growth potential is still very high.

Regarding the use of credit cards, 40 percent of consumers in Vietnam in the survey are using credit cards for payments at restaurants, shopping and entertainment, while the majority of 97 percent are still using cash for popular transactions.

The Nielsen’s global online survey surveyed more than 7,000 online consumers on investment strategies and financial habits.

The survey shows 79 percent of consumers themselves are making investment decisions and handling personal financial problems without consulting financial experts, this rate in Vietnam is higher than other countries. Meanwhile, 24 percent other often consult friends, relatives and colleagues, 5 percent higher than the regional average.

Topping the list of investment in Vietnam is gold, silver and other precious metals conducted by 54 percent of consumers in the survey, then stocks with 52 percent and foreign currency with 41%.

According to the survey on personal financial management (PFM) made in Vietnam during the first quarter of 2012, only 6 percent of surveyed people intend to invest in real estate and securities in the next 12 months, reducing one fourth over the same period last year. Meanwhile, 36 percent of surveyed people want to pour money for their own business in 2012, down strongly 63 percent compared with same period last year,

This PFM survey, conducted on 600 people aged from 18 to 50 in Hanoi and HCM City, shows that consumers are looking for more safety investment channels. They chose savings in dong with high interest rates, especially at state-owned banks.

41 percent of asked people said they are using services of the state-owned banks, up 5 percent over the fourth quarter 2011. While the use of services at commercial joint stock banks fell from 64 percent in Q4/2011 to 58 percent in Q1/2012.

Also from this survey, 31 percent of Vietnamese people do not like risk investments, becoming a destination of very wary investors, compared with the rate of 17 percent of surveyed people in the region.

 

Category: Finance