Statistics, Facts & Such

The average 35-45 year old saves only one third as much as necessary in retirement funds to maintain a lifestyle anywhere near the level he/she is living now, according to a study by Merrill Lynch.

Ten years ago, in 1983, less than 15% of customers leased automobiles. Today, more than 25% lease instead of buy.

There are now about 700,000 Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs-4789) being filed with IRS each month. If this rate continues, there will be 11,400,000 filed in 1993.

FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), the newest government agency, started April 5, 1990, has just 220 employees, including 100 Analysts.

The Treasury Department estimates annually there is $100 billion laundered in the U.S. and $300 billion world wide-more than ever before.

There were over 1,600 bank robberies in 1968. There were over 8,000 bank robberies in 1991.

The car pictured on the back of the ten dollar bill is a 1926 Hupmobile.

Pinkerton reports over 1,350 acts of terrorism and/or political violence recorded worldwide in the first six months of 1993, including 538 bombings and 413 facility attacks.

An expert in community bank incentive compensation plans says only 20% of small banks have effective, performance-based incentive plans.

About 40% of credit card users pay their debts in full each month, costing the industry more than $400 million a year in lost revenue.

Annual fees account for half of all credit card profits.

In 1992 banks in Spain cut 7,000 jobs-4.4% of the number of banking jobs in existence.

Copyright © 1993 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 4, No. 3, 8/93