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More business owners plan to hire, expand in coming months
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Business conditions strongest so far this decade
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Not taking action yet, demand for credit is still low
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2015--
The results of the 2015
U.S. Bank Small Business Annual Survey are in and they show small
business owners are more confident about the future of their businesses
now than at any time in the six year history of the survey. Optimism is
on the rise, businesses are healthier, and they may be on the verge of
taking action to expand; however, few are actually seeking credit to do
it.
“The economy is gaining momentum and we are starting to see optimism
rise among small businesses,” said Andrew Cecere, chief operating
officer of U.S. Bancorp. “There is tremendous potential in that
optimism. Small businesses are critical to the health of our economy. As
their bankers, we are always advocating for them and looking for ways to
help them take advantage of opportunities to expand and grow.”
When asked about the national economy, 18 percent of small business
owners said they felt the economy was in recession in 2015, down from 89
percent in 2010. Moreover, 67 percent say the national economy is in
recovery or expansion, up from 46 percent in 2013.
Business owners who said they plan to add staff increased to 25 percent
in 2015 from 20 percent in 2014. Three out of four (76 percent) say
their business is financially strong, and their revenues have
stabilized, with 28 percent saying revenue increased and 52 percent
stating that it had stayed the same over 2014.
Most are still not seeking credit, however, with 86 percent reporting
they had not tried to borrow money for business purposes in the last six
months. Of those who did borrow, 65 percent said it was easy, compared
to just 44 percent who cited easy access to credit last year. In
addition, significantly more small business owners (34 percent) said
they plan to make a capital expenditure to expand their business over
the next year.
“We are more than lenders – we are champions for small businesses,
focused on helping convert their dreams and ideas into practical and
prudent plans,” said John Elmore, vice chairman and head of branch
channel and delivery at U.S. Bank. “Our role as bankers is to understand
our small business clients’ opportunities and challenges as much as
possible. They want us to relate to them in a simple, transparent way,
and to be with them for the long haul – through the times of growth and
contraction.”
Increased competition and rising healthcare and labor costs surfaced as
more significant challenges facing business owners this year, however
for the first time since 2010, fewer than half (47 percent) said the
long-term impact of the Affordable Care Act will be negative. Business
owners were split on whether the health care law resulted in premium
hikes – 49 percent said they had higher premiums, 45 percent said there
was no impact, and 7 percent said their premiums were lower. (Note:
percentages do not add to 100 because of rounding.)
Mobile and social media are now an established part of the small
business owner’s overall delivery, with 75 percent of respondents saying
they have integrated a mobile solution into their business strategy, and
67 percent reporting that they maintain a social media presence to make
connections, find talent or market their business. Top business uses of
mobile include accessing bank accounts, accessing social media, making
and accepting payments and depositing checks. They also offer
mobile-friendly sites, use apps to organize and manage their business
and use text alerts to market products, services or promotions.
The U.S. Bank Small Business Survey, now in its sixth year, monitors the
attitudes, perceptions and outlook of small business owners across the
25-state U.S. Bank footprint. The survey was conducted by Market Probe
via an online sample in January 2015 among 3,202 small business owners
with less than $10 million in annual revenue. Full results of the survey
are posted on U.S.
Bank Connect, a small business networking and information sharing
site for small businesses from U.S. Bank.
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $410 billion
in assets as of March 31, 2015, is the parent company of U.S. Bank
National Association, the 5th largest commercial bank in the United
States. The Company operates 3,172 banking offices in 25 states and
5,016 ATMs and 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
usbank.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150506005151/en/
Source: U.S. Bancorp
U.S. Bank Corporate Communications
Teri Charest, 612-303-0732
teri.charest@usbank.com
@usbank,
@usbank_news