First Direct bank shows that women are more intrested in love than money!

Women do not consider money when looking for love, reports first direct

93 per cent of women would not turn down a date based on salary
Over 10 million women would be happy to be the sole breadwinner
Nine out of 10 women would not sacrifice love and happiness for money

Forget the material girl: for Britain's women, looks are more important than money when choosing Mr Right. New research from Britain's favourite bank, first direct, reveals that 93 per cent of women1 would not turn a man down just because he's not a high roller. A further 83 per cent would be happy to go out with a man who earned considerably less than them or who was unemployed.

Just three per cent of women admitted they would break up with a partner because they thought he wasn't earning enough and 59 per cent said they would stand by their man if he was in a dead end job. But 38 per cent would either try to change him - perhaps by encouraging him to get better qualifications - or would nag him into a better job!

The findings echo first direct's recent report that the vast majority (88 per cent) of British men say they would be happy to date a woman who earned more than them. The story supported government research2 showing that one in five women now earn a bigger salary than their partners.

Jane Hanson, first direct's head of human resources, said: 'A healthy bank balance isn't enough to win the heart of today's financially independent woman. Attraction appears to be a more important factor than wealth when choosing a partner. Today's couples are marrying later after years of managing their own money, and they're not handing over this financial independence at the altar.

'Women are now seen as equal providers in the family home, and we found that over 10 million3 women would be happy to be the family's sole breadwinner. Over the last five years4, first direct has seen a large rise in the number of solo account applications as more and more couples elect to keep their finances separate. We've also seen that our female customers are better savers: they're putting aside almost 20 per cent more of their income, which suggests they're showing men a thing or two about managing money.'

first direct supports the concept of a healthy work-life balance for working mothers and the bank's efforts for raising awareness were rewarded when it was named Britain's best employer for work-life balance at the first mother@work Employer of the Year awards. The awards, organised by online magazine mother@work (www.motheratwork.co.uk) recognise companies that go the extra mile to help working mothers and show an understanding approach to work-life balance, pregnancy and childcare.

For more information goto: First Direct