A February 2014 poll conducted by Huff Post and YouGov  seems to favor USPS getting into the banking business – so says the Huffington Post [note: YouGov is NOT a government entity].

But, in my opinion, if you take a closer look at their poll it seems that the vast majority of those polled care less whether or not USPS gets into the banking business or oppose the idea entirely. For example, take a look at the following poll questions and their respective poll results:

• Poll Question: Would you favor or oppose expanding the role of the U.S. Postal Service to offer basic financial services like bill paying, check cashing and small loans, but NOT checking or savings accounts, to customers at post offices?

  Responses: Strongly or somewhat favor: 44% – Strongly or somewhat oppose: 37% – Not sure: 19%
  

• Poll Question: If U.S. post offices offered basic financial services like bill paying, check cashing and small loans, how often do you think you might use those services?

  Responses: Often: 8% – Sometimes 23% – Rarely or Never 58%

I believe simple banking services by USPS is a good idea – but, at the same time, I don’t want readers to think the poll results from this poll indicate that the public desires USPS to get into banking.

To me, the responses from this poll clearly indicate that those polled would probably never use any banking services offered by USPS – remember, 58% said they would rarely or never use USPS banking services if offered.

You may read the poll results here.

Rick Owens
Postal Employee Network