U.S. scores well in Genworth consumer poll

Genworth Financial Inc.'s latest survey of consumers' vulnerability found Americans are doing well, considering.

Despite the recession, Americans are much less financially at risk than Europeans, the Henrico County-based insurance giant's latest review shows.

"Given the harsh economic climate in the USA of recent months, it is perhaps surprising," the review commented.

Genworth's vulnerability index gave the U.S. a score of positive 14, compared with a European average of positive 28.

The larger a positive score, the more relatively vulnerable consumers are. Negative scores indicate relative security.

It was the first time Genworth reported the index for the U.S.

Five of the 14 European countries Genworth surveys had better scores than the U.S., with Great Britain posting a score of positive 10, and Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden posting negative scores.

The index is based on how consumers respond to two questions. One asks about how often a household experiences financial difficulty. The other asks whether people think their financial situation will improve or worsen in the next 12 months.

-- David Ress