Recent Work

Market Research

IBI Partners quarterly study of High Net Worth Individuals (classified as having >US$2million in liquid assets) across 9 countries in the Asia Pacific has found that 62% believe they are poorly serviced by banks and financial institutions.
The primary complaint from 44% of High Net Worth Individuals is that the product and service offerings provided by banks and financial institutions are too simplistic and not customizable to their needs.
Another significant complaint from 39% of High Net Worth Individuals concerning banks and financial institutions, is that staff are not sufficiently knowledgable to understand their needs regarding day-to-day banking and investments.

In a study across 10 countries in the Asia Pacific, involving 4,800 Asian females aged 18-65, IBI Partners have identified several trends and developments that are occurring both across Asia at a regional level and others that are specific to individual countries.
Across almost all markets in Asia, females are playing an increasingly more active role in household financial decision making and are rapidly gaining financial independence at younger ages compared to just 5 years ago.
In South Korea, females have exhibited a significant change in consumer behaviour over the last 4 years, those aged 25-35 represent the segment of consumers with the highest level of disposable income and are increasingly regarded as the most design-conscious and trend-setting female consumers in Asia.

IBI Partners quarterly forecast of business confidence throughout the Asia Pacific region shows very slight increased business confidence in most countries for the 1st Quarter 2012.
The survey of 3,800 senior managers and business owners throughout 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region found that 55% believe business conditions will improve in the 1st Quarter 2012 compared to the 4th Quarter of 2011, with improving domestic conditions and demand from main export markets being cited as the main drivers of improved confidence.
The countries that are most optimistic about the 1st Quarter 2012 are Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam; conversely those that are most pessimistic are Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

IBI Partners quarterly forecast of Australian consumer confidence, conducted amongst a representative sample of 2,500 Australians, forecasts a slight decrease for the 1st Quarter 2012 compared to the 4th Quarter 2011.
The main factors that are forecast to contribute to the decrease in consumer confidence are concerns about increasing unemployment - especially amongst white collar, part-time and casual workers, increases in the cost of living and general concern of a downturn in the domestic and international economies.
The trend of Australians decreasing debt and increasing savings, which has been occurring since the GFC in late 2008, is forecast to strengthen in the 1st Quarter 2012, to the highest level over the past 18 months, with the reduction of credit card and mortgage debt a priority.

IBI Partners ongoing longitudinal study of Australian society, involving the detailed examination of 4,500 Australians, has found that Australians increasingly looked inward throughout 2011, compared to the previous 5 years.
Cost of living pressures were a major concern for the majority of middle and lower income Australians, with increases in electricity, groceries and transportation prices felt the most. A feeling of decreased quality of life was also felt by middle and lower income Australians as a result of longer working hours, having less disposable income and feeling less fulfilled with their relationships and personal lives.
In terms of politics, Australians became increasingly disillusioned with the major political parties at both Federal and State levels, primarily for lacking strong leadership and competence. The major political issue of the year, the passing of carbon tax legislation, was disapproved of by 68% of Australians across all geographic and socio-economic segments.

In a recent study of 1,500 Singaporeans who plan to retire in the next 12 months, IBI Partners found that their main concern is what they will do with their time, especially while they remain fit and healthy.
67% of men approaching retirement stated that they were seeking to find part-time or casual work, business ventures or hobbies to become involved in, their primary motive being to remain active more than for financial gain.
In terms of having sufficient savings for retirement, 61% of men felt that they had sufficient savings and 67% of women felt they had sufficient savings.