'Money mummies' emerging across UK

Sep 28 2012

A new generation of "money mummies" is emerging in Scotland as younger women take control of the family purse strings, according to a report.

The Bank of Scotland family savings report said that, in couples under the age of 45, women handle the majority (55%) of everyday finances such as bill payments.

The research also suggests a link between female control of household financial planning and higher rates of saving.

It said 87% of Scottish households where women are in charge of long-term financial planning have some money put away, compared to 84% of households where the man is responsible.

In households where neither partner plans, only about half (52%) have savings.

The report forecasts that women will gain the overall "balance of power" in households across the UK by 2020.

Greg Coughlan, head of savings at Bank of Scotland, said: "Younger women in Scotland have definitely taken a firm grip on the purse strings, moving from the traditional role of managing the day-to-day spending, to planning and selecting where money is kept.

"This rise of a money matriarchy marks not just a shift in the balance of power in families but may have more positive impacts for the future economy.

"Female control of the family purse strings is likely to give rise to an increase in households' savings, as women tend to be more cautious savers in terms of the vehicles they save in, and have a longer-term orientation to saving.

"This, in turn, means that mortgage repayments and consumer spending could become less vulnerable to turmoil in employment or financial markets in future."