- 51 per cent of Australians believe they are happier than anyone else they know
- 22 per cent of Australians say they are less happy than others they know
- 34 per cent of Sun Rays earn $100,000 or more while 35 per cent of Dark Clouds earn less than $50,000 per year
More than one in two (51 per cent) Australians believe they are happier than anyone they know, earning the title of "Sun Rays" for their happy disposition and positive attitude towards life, according to national research commissioned by BankWest.
As part of BankWest's "Happy Banking" initiative, the research has grouped Australians into three groups depending on their levels of self-perceived happiness. Around 27 per cent of Australians are classified as "Blue Skies" because they view themselves as being "about as happy" as people they know. The Dark Clouds (22 per cent of Australians) say they are "less happy" than others they know.
The research showed Sun Rays spend more than 70 per cent of their time in a state of happiness and are more likely to have good careers, earn more money and be in relationships. Blue Skies are happy 53.9 per cent of the time while Dark Clouds spend only 32.5 per cent of their time in a state of happiness.
Compared to the average, Sun Rays are more likely to say what they do matters to society and that they are interested in others and feel in control of their life and their future. They are also more likely to seek out challenging situations, feel healthy and be pleased with the way they are and feel they have a good influence over events.
Sun Rays are also more likely to be "morning people" while Dark Clouds tend to prefer afternoons and evenings. Sun Rays are more likely to be in higher paying jobs with 34 per cent earning $100,000 or more, while there are more Dark Clouds earning less than $50,000 per year (35.6 per cent compared to 25.4 for Blue Skies and 22.2 for Sun Rays).
Sun Rays, compared with Blue Skies and Dark Clouds are less likely to report stress-causing situations with almost one in three saying they are not stressed, and 63 per cent reporting only slight stress. The top three stressors are dealing with debt, interpersonal relationships and personal injury.
Sun Rays are more likely to deal with stress by doing things they find relaxing, adjusting their attitude and improving planning in order to organise their way out. Or, Sun Rays may engage in laughter, sex or exercise to get their attitude back on track.
Conversely, Dark Clouds are more likely to report higher levels of stress with 14 per cent saying they are "very much stressed" and 49 per cent saying they are "stressed quite a lot". Debt levels, relationship issues, work or study deadlines top their list of stressors.
The Blue Skies group tends to reflect the average of the three groups with almost half of them reporting family, friends and love being the most important sources of happiness for them.
Like the positive, "glass is half-full" attitude of the Sun Rays, BankWest is revolutionising the way people bank with friendlier, more personal stores, market-leading products and a host of new initiatives which have been developed in response to consumer feedback.
BankWest Retail Chief executive Ian Corfield commented: "We are endeavouring to make banking an enjoyable experience for our customers. Our market leading products such as TeleNet Saver, Regular Saver and Gold TD are now offering all time high interest rates and it's very rare for Australians to see such high deposit saving rates."
The BankWest Regular Saver is offering 10 per cent p.a. while BankWest's TeleNet Saver offers a new promotional rate at 8.5 per cent p.a. making it Australia's highest variable online rate*. BankWest's Gold Term Deposit also offers a high interest rate at 8.70 per cent p.a. for a 12 month term with interest at maturity.
The BankWest TeleNet Saver promotional rate is available to new customers from 01 May 2008 for a limited time only. For existing customers, the promotional rate will be paid on additional funds deposited above their account balance as at 30 April 2008. The promotional rate applies from 01 May 2008 and will be paid until 01 January 2009 on balances up to $5 million per customer.
For those with a little more to invest, BankWest has also increased the $1 million maximum investment limit on TeleNet Saver, applicable during the 12 month introductory period, to $5 million. The account has been awarded Money magazine's Best Online Savings Account for three years running.
"We are determined to continually challenge the status quo and make banking a happy experience for our customers," Mr Corfield said.
