Study: Debt-saddled Americans still view banking industry with suspicion

While most bankers believe that the general public’s view of their industry has lightened considerably since the onset of the financial crisis, the consumers themselves were far less positive, according to the results of a survey from BAI and Finacle.

BAI Research managing director Ajay Nagarkatte said that "while consumers across geography, gender and generations are discouraged right now with the banking industry as a whole, when asked about their primary bank, there are significant consumer segments that respond positively to what their banks are doing for them."

The survey found that fewer than half of all bank customers surveyed felt that the fees their banks charged were fair, and that the past six months had seen the general level of trust in primary banks experience a general decline, rather than the rise that many bankers predicted.

However, experts say, there are some signs that the economy is beginning to recover from its recent trauma, and if the banking industry can be seen to be integral to an economic resurgence, its popularity may skyrocket.