Six in ten Americans are keeping a financial secret from someone close to them, according to new research published on November 4. The TD 2026 Love & Money Survey of 2,000 Americans found that 59 percent admit to keeping some sort of financial secret, and 11 percent admit they keep a separate bank account their partner does not know about.
The study, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of TD Bank U.S. between June 29 and July 13, 2026, also found that money is a subject many couples struggle to raise at all. According to TD Stories, 49 percent of respondents said they sometimes, often or always feel scared or embarrassed to discuss finances openly with a partner.
That silence sits awkwardly next to how much money matters in choosing a partner. According to the U.S. Times Mirror, 72 percent of respondents said financial stability is an important consideration when looking for something serious, including 41 percent who said it is very important that a partner be financially stable and able to help support the household when needed. Nearly half, 46 percent, said someone's debt or financial habits would affect their willingness to pursue a relationship.
Prenups lose their stigma
The survey found that more than half of respondents, 54 percent, would consider signing a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot, including 29 percent who said "yes, absolutely" and 25 percent who said it would depend on the financial situation. According to TD Stories, millennials were the generation most likely to say they would absolutely sign one, at 31 percent, while baby boomers were the least likely, at 24 percent.
Couples also disagree about when money should be combined. According to the U.S. Times Mirror, 30 percent say marriage is the right time, 13 percent say finances should be combined after moving in together, and 12 percent believe it is appropriate while seriously dating, while 13 percent say couples should skip it entirely and keep their money completely separate. The advice from TD's experts is to start the conversation early, covering debt, budgeting, spending habits and whether to use joint or separate accounts, before the relationship becomes serious.