A new study by Echo Research has revealed that over half Wall Street company executives believe the Occupy movement has had an impact on their business. Up to 94 per cent say their firms got a negative public reaction by action or inaction.

­The results of the study, commissioned by Makovsky, an integrated communications firm, do come as something of a surprise. The majority of the surveyed personnel think a negative public perception is the key challenge to be overcome in the next year, while previously they were more worried about recovery and stabilization.

"There has been a shift in priority from recovering and stabilizing to focusing on customer satisfaction, employee communications and improving public perception," said Scott Tagney, executive vice president and head of financial services at Makovsky "Our study reveals that companies are in transition, and this new strategy involves both external and internal integrated communications efforts."

Eighty-one per cent of those surveyed said they were worried about public reaction to executive compensation in the industry, while about 74 per cent believe increased regulation of the financial market would help the companies build a better public image.

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