CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL For release: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 6:30 pm (ET)

Trust in Banks and Financial Institutions July 11-16, 2012 Trust in Financial Institutions In the wake of accusations of corruption and mismanagement among banks on both sides of the Atlantic, few Americans express confidence in banks and financial institutions. Just 9% say they have a lot of confidence, and 43% say they have only some confidence, while nearly half 48% - say they have not much or no confidence in banks and financial institutions. Lack of confidence in banks spans the political spectrum, but Republicans are more likely to have at least some confidence than either Democrats or independents. Confidence in Banks and Financial Institutions Total Reps Dems Inds A lot 9% 12% 8% 9% Some 43 48 43 39 Not much/none 48 40 49 51 Wealthier Americans also have more confidence in banks and financial institutions. While just under half of those earning $100,000 a year or less have at least some confidence in banks and financial institutions (49%), this percentage rises to 61% among those earning more. Corruption in Financial Institutions Americans are divided, however, as to whether or not corruption in banks and financial institutions is widespread, or limited to just a few institutions. 49% think it is widespread, but nearly as many 47% - think it is limited. More Republicans think corruption is limited, while more Democrats and independents think it is widespread. Corruption in Banks and Financial Institutions is Total Reps Dems Inds Widespread 49% 44% 52% 50% Limited 47 52 46 45 The poll also asked Americans some general questions about wealth and regulation. 49% of Americans think the federal government regulates business too much these days. Just 22% think there is too little regulation. At the same time, six in 10 think that money and wealth in this country should be distributed more evenly among more people.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ This poll was conducted by telephone from July 11-July 16, 2012 among 1,089 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL Banks and Financial Institutions July 11-16, 2012 q20 Do you think the federal government regulates business too much these days, does it regulate business too little, or does it impose the right amount of regulation on business? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 49 73 25 52 22 10 38 18 19 11 25 18 3 1 5 4 7 5 7 8

Too much Too little Right amount Depends (Vol.) Don't know/No answer

Feb11a % 45 27 17 4 7

q21 Do you feel that the distribution of money and wealth in this country is fair, or do you feel that the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed among more people? Oct11a1 26 66 8

Fair Should be more even Don't know/No answer

32 60 8

58 35 7

9 82 9

33 59 8

q66 How much confidence do you have in banks and financial institutions a lot, some, not much, or none at all A lot Some Not much None at all DK/NA 9 43 31 17 0 12 48 29 11 0 8 43 32 17 0 9 39 31 20 1

q67 How common do you think corruption is in banks and financial institutions is it widespread or is it limited to a few institutions? Widespread Limited DK/NA 49 47 4 44 52 4 52 46 2 50 45 5

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents

UNWEIGHTED 1,089 304 341 444

WEIGHTED

274 350 465