Statistics, Facts & Such

The Equipment Leasing Association of America in Arlington, VA says $169 Billion, or 29% of all money spent on business equipment in the U.S. this year is generated through leases. Ten years ago $85 billion was spent on leasing.

The penalty for bank robbery can be 20 years in prison-25 if a weapon is carried, and an additional mandatory 5 years if a weapon is used.

A study done by the FFIEC found that depository institutions' regulatory costs totaled about 6% of their operating expenses.

America Online says they now have on board 27 banks whose customers can make electronic transactions such as obtain account balances, pay bills, apply for loans, and send email.

Bank robberies have decreased in number 28% since 1991.

In yet another test site-this time in Newcastle, Australia-88% of users of e-cash plastic found the system OK for buying small value goods and services, and 64% want to continue using it.

The Comptroller of Florida says more than 2 million Florida seniors rely on investments for at least part of their income-but only 18% of over 700 investors surveyed had any idea of how or where to invest.

Responding to an ABA survey, 75% of financial institutions that have installed call centers view them as a cost containment service. Of the 25% that anticipated call centers to be profit centers, only 9% turned out to be profitable.

Travelers Express reported they sold 250 million money orders in 1995, and expect to sell 12 million holiday money orders during the last two months of 1996.

Copyright © 1996 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 7, No. 1, 12/96