Credit unions are holding their own in the popularity rankswhile banks took a nosedive, according to a Texas Credit UnionLeague phone survey.
A poll of 800 registered voters taken in late April as part of theleague's advocacy efforts found that CUs are the “most popular”financial institution with their image “virtually unchanged at 75%favorable to 8% unfavorable, statistically the same as 2004,” whilebanks have taken a negative hit during the same period.
Banks were rated 55% favorable to 39% unfavorable for the mostrecent poll, compared to 69% to 17% in 2004, said Buddy Gill, theleague's chief advocacy officer.
“What is remarkable is how popular credit unions are far beyondtheir own membership levels. Almost half-45%-of all Texas votersare members of a Texas credit union, up slightly from 42% in 2004,”said Gill.
The phone poll of registered voters, which also covered issues onthe Texas economy and national politics, was taken by two firms,the GOP-based Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Va. and theDem-linked Hamilton Strategies of Fernandina Beach, Fla.
On the nation's financial crisis, the survey found Texas voters“are more optimistic than the rest of the country about the state'seconomy and surviving” the current gloom, said Gill.
Texas voters name the economy and jobs (42% each) as the topconcern in the state, followed by illegal immigration and education(35% each) tied for second place.
On the federal level, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)scored the highest with a 66% to 18% net positive job approvalrating. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) scored 47% to 22% net positive,and Texas voters gave President Barack Obama a 49% to 40% netpositive job approval rating.
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