Capital One Bank Quarterly Small Business Barometer Survey Finds Small Business Confidence Holds Steady Through Three Quarters

According to Capital One’s third quarter 2012 Small Business Barometer, small business owners across the country believe economic conditions have held steady throughout 2012, and looking ahead to 2013, many (45 percent) think the U.S. economy will remain about the same. Capital One’s quarterly survey of small businesses across the nation examines general economic indicators and small business perceptions of the economic environment, gauging current financial conditions and business projections for the next six months. Of those businesses that expect to see change, optimism outweighs pessimism by five points, with 29 percent expecting to see economic conditions improve, compared to 24 percent who expect conditions to worsen over the next six months. The survey suggests, however, a growing level of caution about the economy as only 27 percent of the businesses surveyed reported plans to hire in the next six months, a drop of 10 points in a single quarter.

“Our survey results for the third quarter indicate that while economic conditions remain stable, and most small business owners report financials are holding steady, some concerns and uncertainty remain – and may even be elevating,” said Jon Witter, President of Direct, Consumer and Small Business Banking at Capital One. “A strong close to the year could shift the dynamic and bring businesses into 2013 with more momentum, but we do anticipate some regional challenges in the Northeast as many businesses assess damage from Hurricane Sandy and work to rebuild. End of the year budgeting and planning is going to be as important this year as it ever has been.”

Financial Performance and Spending

Current economic conditions for small businesses nationally are holding steady. Nearly half (45 percent) of small businesses report economic conditions for their business are about the same, consistent with the previous quarter and the same as the third quarter of 2011. However, roughly a third (29 percent) of small businesses report improving economic conditions. This is eight points lower than last quarter and four points lower than the third quarter of 2011. While a majority of small businesses believe economic conditions are the same or improving, a quarter of small businesses (24 percent) believe economic conditions are getting worse.

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