Wall Street Has A Better Image, Survey Shows --- View Is More Favorable Than in '96, but Public Is Far From Enamored
NEW YORK -- Wall Street's public image has improved greatly over the past year, but it still has a long way to go to win the love of Main Street, a new survey indicates.</br></br>Four out of five people surveyed last month by Louis Harris & Associates agreed that Wall Street generally benefits the nation. The 80% positive response was up sharply from the 70% who held that view in a similar Harris poll last year.</br></br>But some other findings indicate many Americans still think of the big banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions that make up "Wall Street" as a kingdom populated by large numbers of ethical pygmies.</br></br>For example, a majority of those surveyed agreed that "most people on Wall Street would be willing to break the law if they believed they could make a lot of money and get away with it." A majority also agreed that Wall Street is "dominated by greed and selfishness."</br></br>On the bright side, fewer people subscribed to either of these opinions than only a year ago. And the majority of those surveyed also believe that Wall Streeters generally are just as honest and moral as other people.