Women believe that a healthy bank balance is more important than appearance in a partner, new research shows.

A poll by NS&I reveals that women expect men to have more than £24,000 in savings, though the average British male has just £20,000, while men expect women to have at least £15,143 in the bank.

A total of 45 per cent of women quizzed rates a healthy bank balance as more important than good looks in a potential partner, compared with just 22 per cent of men.

The latest Quarterly Savings Survey also found that women consider men with earnings of at least £49,247 a year to be "successful and wealthy". Men have lower expectations of women, claiming that they would perceive a woman earning £42,147 or more as successful and wealthy.

The amount of money women expect men to save each month currently falls short by around £100, with the average person in the UK saving £87.85 per month. Financial worries can place a large burden on a relationship and couples are advised to plan and save for the future.

Senior savings strategist at NS&I, Dax Harkins, commented: "Our findings also show that finances form a very important part of relationship dynamics and this is reflected in the expectations people have, both in terms of salary and savings levels. Maybe people do believe they can buy happiness after all."

A recent study by AA Savings found that the financial implications of divorce can hit people hard, with half of divorcees polled claiming to have been left struggling to survive financially following a divorce.

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