2006-07-0719-005.

txt 7/19/2006

PRESS RELEASE:

New Research Uncovers Male and Female Affluent Views on Money Matters
GREENSBORO, NC - July 19, 2006 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Oechsli Institute
(www.oechsli.com) has completed its third in a series of independent research
projects on affluent Americans with at least $100,000 to over one million
dollars of investable assets.

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"Millions of Americans who once made up the vast middle of the $7 trillion
consumer market are migrating upscale towards premium and luxury products and
services," observes Matt Oechsli, President of the Oechsli Institute, a
consulting firm specializing in understanding the needs and wants of affluent
Americans.
Oechsli pierces the male ego by stating, "When it comes to money, affluent
women are smarter than men." Which is why Oechsli suggests the financial
services industry needs to adjust their approach in how they market and
advertise their products and services, and how they train their financial
professionals.
For example...
* 87% of working women versus 72% of working men are concerned with
minimizing taxes: women have more financial brains!

* 74% of affluent women versus 60% of affluent men are concerned with
protection against serious financial loss: hello Katrina - women do
have more financial brains!

* 29% of affluent men versus 36% of affluent women report being

influenced by current financial services advertising; women are more
interested than men. Are financial services firms sending the wrong
message?

* Nearly two-thirds (62%) of affluent Americans, men and women, are

interested in having a "go-to" financial professional, yet only 17% of
men have one. The financial services industry must get personal - and
women (26%) act on their financial concerns better than men.
* Working affluent men (72%) and working affluent women (89%) are
interested in having a financial plan, yet only 47% of working
affluent men and 60% of working affluent women currently use a
financial planner. The financial services industry is missing the mark
- and once again women are smarter than men.
* While 43% of affluent men and 33% of affluent women use online
sources for assistance with financial decisions, only 9% (men and
women) trust online investment advice. Watch-out, this trust factor is
likely to rise.

The research highlights 8 critical areas of concern for both affluent American
men and women, which should signal a change in how the financial services
industry advertises and distributes its financial products and services.

1. Formal financial plan

2. Clear understanding of personal & family goals

3. Proper asset allocation

4. Full disclosure of fees & commissions

5. Use of other financial experts

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6. Organization of financial papers

7. Personal & timely contact
8. Avoidance of technical jargon

Not only do women rule, but it is obvious that they want a relationship with a
financial professional who they can trust. It is also obvious that affluent
Americans, male and female, do not know where to find this trustworthy "go-to"
financial professional.
About the Company:
The Oechsli Institute (www.oechsli.com) conducts ongoing research on consumer
trends, specifically the affluent and emerging affluent segments of the
population. Matt Oechsli, the President of the Oechsli Institute, is a sought
after keynote speaker and coach on how to market and sell to the affluent. He
has authored 8 books; his most recent is "The Art of Selling to the Affluent,"
which has been adopted by Sotheby's as part of their graduate studies program.
For more of our research, visit www.oechsli.com/research.asp?id=6
For further information, or if you would like to set-up an interview with Matt
Oechsli, contact Stephen Boswell at (800) 883-6582, or Stephen@oechsli.com.

Send2Press(R) is the originating wire service for this story.

# # #

NEWS SOURCE: The Oechsli Institute

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

[ not for publication or the public ]

Stephen Boswell of The Oechsli Institute, Tel: +1-800-883-6582, Fax:

+1-336-272-3044, or stephen@oechsli.com

/END/
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July 2006 // S-NAT