A new CIBC (TSX:CM) poll shows 64% of Canadians feel positive about their current financial situation, a finding the bank describes as strong, but still five per cent lower than a year ago.

The poll, conducted for the bank in mid-November by Harris/Decima, also found that an even higher number of Canadians — 72% — were confident they would reach their future financial goals, unchanged from last year.

Across age groups, confidence in achieving financial goals was generally strong, although there was a declining trend with age.

For example, among Canadians aged 18 to 34, 78% said they were confident of reaching their financial goals.

However, among Canadians closer to retirement — those 55 to 64 — only 68% felt their goals were achievable.

Responses also varied by province, with those feeling good about meeting future goals running from a high of 85% in Alberta to a low of 60% in Quebec.

And among those happy with their current financial situation, positive responses ran from a high of 72%, also in Alberta, to a low of 54% in British Columbia.

“Canadians are entering 2012 with a generally positive outlook on their finances, although they are somewhat less positive about their current financial situation than they were a year ago,” said Christina Kramer, executive vice-president, retail distribution and channel strategy at CIBC.

“(Still) it’s encouraging to see more Canadians recognizing the importance of setting financial goals for themselves and a strong level of confidence in achieving those goals,” Kramer said.

The poll, conducted by Harris/Decima, surveyed 2,015 people and is considered accurate with a margin of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points 19 times out of 20.