A poll revealed that 61 per cent of investors responded positively when asked if they would invest more in existing products, as opposed to taking out an entirely new investment product within the next year.
The IMA's statistics reflect the survey's findings, showing that retail investors have added £18bn more to their portfolios than they have withdrawn this year.
However, research also showed that investors are not getting carried away. Asked how the crisis has affected their attitude to risk, 45 per cent said they had decided to take less risk in order to protect their investments, with only 9 per cent willing to take on more risk for the potential of a higher return.
Richard Saunders, chief executive of the IMA said: "Our survey suggests that investors' appetite for building their portfolios remains strong. In the wake of the financial crisis, consumers' approach to investing has been remarkably prudent and sophisticated. Many have reviewed their exposure to risk and diversified across asset classes. Their outlook for the future appears cautious but calm."
Richard Hancock, analyst at Financial Management Bureau said that he has noticed a change in investor confidence in the last six months.
He said: "Confidence varies from asset class to asset class, but on the whole there has been a steady shift. I don't think anyone is expecting any significant returns from the majority of markets, but since the returns from cash holdings are negative in real terms, people are looking elsewhere."
IMA statistics also revealed that investors are increasing their diversification across asset classes. Before the financial crisis, holdings in equity and property funds were most popular, with £6.4bn in net retail sales for the first three quarters of 2007.
Although investors increased equity and property holdings at similar rates in 2010, they diversified significantly into other asset classes, with net retail sales of £10.2bn for bond, absolute return and balanced funds, compared to only £2bn for these asset classes for the same period in 2007.
Financial Express data shows that this increased diversification has paid off. UK Gilt, UK Sterling Corporate Bond and Absolute Return have all outperformed UK Equity Income and Property in the last three years, with lower levels of risk.
Source: Financial Express Analytics