Dutch fear impact of US credit crisis 03/09/2007 00:00

3 September 2007

AMSTERDAM (dpa) - Forty-seven percent of Dutch nationals expect interest on mortgages to rise and one-fifth fear the financial crisis in the United States will affect the Dutch economy, a survey has found.
The survey published Friday, showed 44 percent of the 1,100 people polled believe banks will be less eager to supply mortgages. It was conducted by USP Marketing Consultancy, a firm specialising in trends in the commercial and residential property market.
The survey also determined that while one-fifth of Dutch nationals fear being affected by the US crisis, one-third did not fear any impact. Forty-one percent took a neutral position.

Among those considering themselves well-informed about the US crisis, some 36 percent fear its effects for the Dutch economy. Those who do not occupy themselves with financial crisis, were less afraid (23 percent).

A third of Dutch people in the lower income classes - households that have a combined monthly income of up to EUR 1,675 - worry about the US crisis.

As household earnings rise, the percentage of people fearing the impact of the credit crunch drops down to 20 percent for people with median incomes and 23 percent for people with high incomes, the survey showed.

[Copyright dpa 2007]

Subject: Dutch news