A key measure of Americans' financial security improved during the year past, according to a new report.
Bankrate.com's Financial Security Index registered 100.4 in September, up from the level recorded one year ago. The Financial Security Index has been over 100 (the level that illustrates improvement over the past year) in seven of the first nine months of 2014. The index was above 100 in six of the first nine months of 2013, just two of nine months to start 2012 and none of the first nine months of 2011.
Reflecting the improved financial outlook, the report reveals that more than half of Americans (53 percent) think home prices will rise in the next 12 months. Just eight percent expect home prices to decline. The results were consistent across gender, age, income and education levels.
