September 2016 Financial Resilience: Re-thinking financial vulnerability

FROM FINANCIAL EXCLUSION TO FINANCIAL RESILIENCE

The number of financially excluded in Australia did not change over eight years. Were we asking the right questions? Was access to products and services sufficient? What new knowledge could be developed to provide new thinking for all sectors and industries to better assist people when they face financial challenges? How do we better understand how to move vulnerable consumers towards greater financial strength? How do we know which interventions are making a difference, in what areas and for who? Background

Our approach NAB partnered with The Centre for Social Impact. We consulted stakeholders and advisory council. We conducted a literature review of existing knowledge around the world. We developed measures and a survey, which mapped to the identified components of financial resilience. We surveyed the population using Roy Morgan Research: 1,496, weighted to be representative of the Australian population aged 18+.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL RESILIENCE?

A definition Financial resilience is the “ability to access and draw on internal capabilities and appropriate, acceptable and accessible external resources and supports in times of financial adversity”.

Financial resilience spectrum Aggregated scores across the four categories determined levels of financial resilience on a spectrum.

FINDINGS

Financial resilience: General population

Who does better/worse?

Population level of resources – financial resilience components

Population level of resources – financial knowledge & behaviour

Population level of resources – comparison

What are we doing well? 1 in 4 people made extra repayments on home loans (28.5%) 1 in 2 follow a budget (49.1%) 1 in 2 make extra repayments on personal loans (56.8%) 1 in 4 people report seeking professional financial advice (25.8%)

What can we improve? 47.7% of people only have a ‘basic understanding’ of financial products and services Almost 1 in 10 people have ‘no understanding’ of financial products and services (9.2%)

People with very low or low levels of financial knowledge and behaviour are more likely than the population to have very low or low economic resources, financial products and services, and social capital. Intersections

RE-THINKING FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY

People can be vulnerable in more than one way Better understand vulnerable consumers Better understand the type of support different people need Understand barriers Understand where cross referral is needed

Financial literacy is one piece of the puzzle Willingness to Seek Financial Advice Proactive Financial Actions Confidence Using Financial Products & Services Knowledge of Financial Products & Services Access to a Bank Account Access to Credit & Needs Met Access to Insurance & Needs Met Social Connections Access to Social Support in Times of Crisis Access to Community & Government Support When Needed Savings & Income Level Ability to Raise Funds in an Emergency Ability to Meet Living Expenses Debt Management Ability to Meet Living Expenses

Evaluation tool in development Measure outcomes and track changes over time What’s next?

Q&A

Find out more and thanks Thanks to: CSI co-authors: Muir, K., Reeve, R., Connolly, C, Salignac, F., Ho, K. NAB. Advisory Group. Roy Morgan Research. CSI Engagement Team.