Bank of America Card Spending up 15% in April, Even Amidst a Backdrop of Rising Inflation
April 13, 2022 at 5:40 PM Eastern
Data Counters Sentiment Surveys that say Spending is Weakening
The Bank of America Institute published a new article today which provides evidence that consumers’ finances, particularly of those in lower-income groups, are holding up, contrary to findings of sentiment surveys about the impact of higher prices.
Citing strong growth in credit and debit card spending – up 11% year over year in March, and continued strength into April – as well as a booming labor market and elevated cash levels in checking and savings accounts, the data shows that lower-income consumers are not reacting to this inflationary environment as adversely as one might gather from reports.
Highlights of the publication:
“While sentiment surveys show that consumers are inclined to cut back in response to higher prices, people don’t always do what they say they are doing,” said David Tinsley, senior economist for the Bank of America Institute. “Leveraging the breadth and depth of our comprehensive payments and spending data from 67 million consumer and small business clients, we are able to get a richer and deeper assessment of the consumer than small-scale surveys can ever achieve. Our data does not support all the gloom.”
The Bank of America Institute is dedicated to uncovering powerful insights that move business and society forward. Established in 2022, the Institute is a think tank that draws on data and analyses from across the bank and the world to provide timely and original perspectives on the economy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and global transformation. The Institute leverages the depth and breadth of the bank’s proprietary data, from 67 million consumer and small business clients, 54 million verified digital users, $3.8T in total payments in 2021 and $1.4T in consumer and wealth management deposits. From this robust data set, the Institute provides a unique perspective on the health of the economy. It also elevates thought leadership from throughout the bank that addresses long-term trends and shares these findings with the general public.
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with more than 54 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, register for email news alerts.
Melissa Anchan, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.532.9241
melissa.anchan@bofa.com
April 13, 2022 at 5:40 PM Eastern
Bank of America Card Spending up 15% in April, Even Amidst a Backdrop of Rising Inflation
Data Counters Sentiment Surveys that say Spending is Weakening
The Bank of America Institute published a new article today which provides evidence that consumers’ finances, particularly of those in lower-income groups, are holding up, contrary to findings of sentiment surveys about the impact of higher prices.
Citing strong growth in credit and debit card spending – up 11% year over year in March, and continued strength into April – as well as a booming labor market and elevated cash levels in checking and savings accounts, the data shows that lower-income consumers are not reacting to this inflationary environment as adversely as one might gather from reports.
Highlights of the publication:
“While sentiment surveys show that consumers are inclined to cut back in response to higher prices, people don’t always do what they say they are doing,” said David Tinsley, senior economist for the Bank of America Institute. “Leveraging the breadth and depth of our comprehensive payments and spending data from 67 million consumer and small business clients, we are able to get a richer and deeper assessment of the consumer than small-scale surveys can ever achieve. Our data does not support all the gloom.”
The Bank of America Institute is dedicated to uncovering powerful insights that move business and society forward. Established in 2022, the Institute is a think tank that draws on data and analyses from across the bank and the world to provide timely and original perspectives on the economy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and global transformation. The Institute leverages the depth and breadth of the bank’s proprietary data, from 67 million consumer and small business clients, 54 million verified digital users, $3.8T in total payments in 2021 and $1.4T in consumer and wealth management deposits. From this robust data set, the Institute provides a unique perspective on the health of the economy. It also elevates thought leadership from throughout the bank that addresses long-term trends and shares these findings with the general public.
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with more than 54 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, register for email news alerts.
Melissa Anchan, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.532.9241
melissa.anchan@bofa.com
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