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MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 22, 2013-- Small business owners are divided about whether the national economy is in recession or recovery in 2013, according to results of the 2013 U.S. Bank Small Business Annual Survey. The survey also revealed trends in economic sentiment, business conditions, issues of greatest concern to small business owners and their plans for future hiring and capital expenditures.

Now in its fourth year, the survey polled 3,210 small businesses with $10 million or less in annual revenue during the first quarter of 2013 across the 25 states where U.S. Bank provides small business banking services.

Those who believed the economy is in recovery (45 percent) held a slight edge on the number of small business owners who said they believe the economy is in recession (43 percent). The federal budget deficit/debt is the top national issue for small business owners in 2013, followed by unemployment, healthcare and taxes. In 2012, small business owners said healthcare was their biggest concern, followed by unemployment, taxes and the federal budget.

“These results are very consistent with what we’re hearing in the field,” said John Elmore, vice chairman of community banking and branch delivery at U.S. Bank. “Last year, 70 percent of our respondents said they believed the economy was in recession, so even though we asked the question a little differently this year, it’s clear that small business owners feel a little better about current economic conditions than they did in 2012. However, uncertainty about the federal budget, unemployment and taxes are clearly a concern. If those variables improve, I believe we have a small business sector that is ready to soar.”

Business conditions

Two-thirds of the survey respondents describe their business as at least “good,” but many have tempered expectations for 2014, with lower revenue expectations, and plans for hiring and capital expenditures mostly on par with what owners reported in 2012.

Small business owner sentiment about the impact of the new health care law was largely consistent from 2012 to 2013, however concern has increased since 2010.

The uncertainty of the fiscal cliff had some impact on business owners’ plans for 2013, but the majority (59 percent) said they did not implement a contingency plan. Of the 14 percent who did have a contingency plan, most (74 percent) said the plan included postponing planned investments in their business. Additionally, 82 percent of those with a contingency plan said they implemented their plan despite developments to resolve the issue in Washington D.C. Twenty-eight percent of business owners did not have a business plan for 2013.

Technology

Small business owners are more likely than the general population to be innovators and early adopters of new technology. The majority of owners are currently using mobile technology for business purposes, whether it’s checking online banking statements, paying credit card bills, maintaining their calendar, social networking or sending and receiving email.

U.S. Bank is one of the top small business banks in the nation. U.S. Bank ranks third in the nation in Small Business Administration (SBA) lending based on data for the first six months of the SBA’s 2012-2013 fiscal year. Last year, the company launched Connect (www.usbankconnect.com) a website just for small business owners that provides helpful tips and resources for starting, growing and managing a business. Survey results, as well as info graphics highlighting differences in opinions based on age, gender, business size, location and ethnicity are available on Connect at http://www.usbankconnect.com/tool/2013-us-bank-small-business-annual-survey-complete-results.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $355 billion in assets as of March 31, 2013, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 5th largest commercial bank in the United States. Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the company operates 3,080 banking offices in 25 states and 5,056 ATMs. The bank provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.

Source: U.S. Bancorp

Teri Charest, U.S. Bank Public Relations
(612) 303-0732, teri.charest@usbank.com