A Survey Of Calgary And Kitchener-Waterloo Residents On Financial Services

Toronto, ON - Canadian Tire Financial Services will soon be offering new financial services and products in two test markets--Calgary, Alberta and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. A new Ipsos Reid survey of adult residents of Calgary and Kitchener-Waterloo adults finds that residents think it's important that Canadians are not limited to just traditional banks (89% in Calgary and 90% in Kitchener-Waterloo). Moreover, most would be interested in obtaining financial services and products at an institution other than a traditional bank (63% in Calgary and 69% in Kitchener-Waterloo).

A non-traditional bank often offers more in the way of savings. So, what would those in Calgary/Kitchener-Waterloo do with the extra money they would have if they switched to a non-traditional financial service provider? Would they spend it or would they save it? Likely both! Some of the more common responses are save it (23% Calgary and 24% Kitchener-Waterloo); invest it (19% and 25%); pay off debt (18% and 19%); spend it on something unspecified (10% and 6%); take a trip (10% and 6%); home improvements (3% and 6%); and purchase/save for a house (2% and 6%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid/Canadian Tire Financial Services poll conducted from September 28 to October 3, 2006. For the study, a representative randomly selected sample of 546 adult residents of Calgary, Alberta and 414 adult residents of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario were surveyed online. With samples of this size, the margin of error is +/-4.2% in Calgary and +/-4.8% in Kitchener-Waterloo. The margin of error will be larger within other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to Census data.

For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact:

Jennifer McLeod
Senior Research Manager
Ipsos Reid Publc Affairs
(416) 324-2900
[email protected]

Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 300 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2005, Ipsos generated global revenues of e717.8 million ($853.8 million U.S.).

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