Consumer Pulse Q2 2021

Consumers continue to show increased optimism as lockdown measures are eased and the economy opens up, with 61% stating they’re somewhat, very or extremely optimistic about the future. This compares favourably to Q1, 2021 when 54% said the same. In parallel to the economy slowly reopening, the vaccine rollout could be a key driver of this improved optimism.

Strong improvement in optimism, however, is somewhat lagged by perceptions about current household finances which remain relatively stable. There’s a slight increase from 40% to 43% by those who report their finances are as planned from Q1, 2021 to the current survey. Those who report finances are better than planned rose slightly from 29% in Q1, 2021 to 30% in Q2, 2021.

From a credit perspective, the types of new credit and loans consumers say they are most likely to apply for are: credit card (11%), personal loan (8%) and new car loan or lease (8%).