Poll on Gen Z Americans' current financial views and behaviors
Washington DC, May 19, 2026 – Bank of America, in cooperation with Ipsos, is releasing the results from the 2026 Better Money Habit Gen Z Report about how Gen Z Americans feel about various aspects of their finances. The report utilizes data from a poll conducted by Ipsos from February 10-28, 2026.
The study report can be found here.
About the Study
The Bank of America 2026 Better Money Habits Gen Z Study was conducted online from February 10-28, 2026, by Ipsos. This study is based on national samples of 1,146 general population adults (age 18 or older) and 1,133 general population Gen Z adults (age 18 – 29). No respondents were removed from the final data for refusing all of the survey items.
The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel, the most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult US population. Their recruitment process employs a scientifically developed addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the US. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of their recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population. KnowledgePanel members receive a per survey incentive, usually the equivalent of $1 (though for some it is $2) in points, that can be redeemed for cash or prizes. No prenotification email was sent prior to field. Panelists receive a unique login to the survey and are only able to complete it one time.
The study was conducted in both English and Spanish. The data for the general population sample (age 18 or older) and general population Gen Z sample (age 22 – 29) were weighted separately to match national population demographics of gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, region, metropolitan status, household income, language proficiency and Hispanic origin. The demographic benchmarks came from 2025 Current Population Survey (CPS) from the US Census Bureau. Language dominance benchmarks are from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS). The weighting categories were as follows for the general population sample (age 18 or older):
- Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18-29, 30-45, 46-61, 62+)
- Race-Ethnicity (White/Non-Hispanic, Black/Non-Hispanic, Other or 2+ Races/Non-Hispanic, Hispanic)
- Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
- Metropolitan Status (Metro, Non-Metro)
- Education (Less than a high school diploma or the equivalent GED, High school diploma or the equivalent GED, Some college or Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree or above)
- Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
- Language Proficiency (English Proficient Hispanic, Bilingual, Spanish Proficient Hispanic, Non-Hispanic)
- Hispanic Origin (Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban, Other Hispanic origin, Non-Hispanic)
The weighting categories were as follows for the general population Gen Z sample (age 22 – 29):
- Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18-20, 21-22, 23-25, 26-29)
- Race-Ethnicity (White/Non-Hispanic, Black/Non-Hispanic, Other/Non-Hispanic, Hispanic, 2+ Races/Non-Hispanic)
- Education (Less than a high school diploma or the equivalent GED, High school diploma or the equivalent GED, Some college or Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree or above)
- Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
- Metropolitan Status (Metro, Non-Metro)
- Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
- Language Proficiency (English Proficient Hispanic, Bilingual or Spanish Proficient Hispanic, Non-Hispanic)
- Hispanic Origin (Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban or Other Hispanic origin, Non-Hispanic)
The margin of sampling error for the general population sample (age 18 or older) is plus or minus 3.0 percentage points and for the general population Gen Z sample (age 22 – 29) is plus or minus 3.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The margin of sampling error takes into account the design effect, which was 1.0 for the general population sample (age 18 or older) and was 1.1 for the general population Gen Z sample (age 22 – 29). The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on sub-samples. Sampling error is only one potential source of error. There may be other unmeasured non-sampling error in this or any poll.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
“Game Changers” – our tagline – summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our rapidly changing world.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
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