Canadians are approaching the new year feeling positive about their current financial situation, shows a new CIBC poll.

The study reveals 70% of those polled feel optimistic about their finances for 2013, an increase of 6% from a year ago.

“Canadians are entering 2013 with a more positive outlook on their finances today, and with the confidence that they can reach their long term financial goals,” said Christina Kramer, executive vice president, retail distribution and channel strategy, CIBC. “The next step is to turn that confidence into action by putting plans in place at the start of the year that will help you make progress towards the things that matter most to you.”

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The survey finds Canadians are also confident about achieving their future financial goals, a trend most prevalent among those who are working with an advisor.

Other key findings of this year’s poll include:

  • Residents of Ontario (74%) and the Prairies (75%) were among the most positive about their current financial situation
  • 74% Canadians say they are confident they will reach their future financial goals.
  • Regionally, residents of the Prairies (84%) and Alberta (82%) were among the most confident about reaching their future financial goals
  • Canadians are increasingly seeing the value in setting goals with 76% saying it’s more important today than it was five years ago to set financial goals for yourself
  • More Canadians (61% compared to 51% two year ago) are also taking their own advice and setting goals for the year.
  • Canadians who met with advisor were more likely to feel positive about their financial situation (77%) than those without an advisor (65%).
  • 46% of Canadians said they’ve met with an advisor sometime in the last year

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Regionally, the percentage of Canadians feeling positive about their current financial situation was well above the national average of 70% while it was below, but not too far, for those in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia below, but not too far, the national average.

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