Expansion is on the agenda for small business owners (SBOs) in 2018, with more than half anticipating revenue growth and 22 percent planning to hire staff, according to the 2018 Small Business Survey conducted by TD Bank. Last year, 46 percent of business owners expected to increase revenue and just 9 percent had plans to hire.
To help fuel this growth, credit needs also significantly increased nationwide. Forty-six percent of the 578 business owners surveyed said that they either have or will apply for credit in the next 12 months, compared with 21 percent in 2017. Federal Reserve interest rate hikes may be affecting business owner's credit plans, however, with 27 percent stating rate changes are spurring them to seek credit sooner or to refinance current debt.
"It is encouraging that a large portion of small business owners plan to seek credit this year and expand," said Jay DesMarteau, Head of Commercial Specialty Segments, TD Bank. "Banks can work with business owners on solutions that make sense for their needs and provide insights into how business and personal credit and income can impact their financial future."
Tax reform, while capturing headlines, may not be a major boon to small businesses, with nearly half of respondents stating that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions will not benefit their businesses. Among those who do plan changes in business investments due to tax reform:
• 15 percent expect higher earnings
• 14 percent will use extra capital to pay down debt
• 13 percent plan to integrate new technology
• 13 percent will purchase new equipment.
Although optimism is high among SBOs, they do expect some obstacles over the next year. When asked to name their top two challenges for 2018, 27 percent selected the health of the national economy; 20 percent cited tax reform; 14 percent chose inflation; and 13 percent indicated rising interest rates.
Another challenge is what to do at the end of their entrepreneurial life. Fifty-two percent of SBOs reported that they do not have a retirement or succession plan for their business (climbing from 47 percent in 2015), a number that rises to 63 percent for business owners 55 years old and older.
"Business owners shouldn't count on today's growth to fund them in retirement or allow the daily challenges of running a company stand in the way of long-term, strategic planning," DesMarteau said. "Working with experts for all financial decisions – from start-up phase to retirement – can help put a small business on the best path to success."
For complete survey results, please contact Martha Gaston at martha.gaston@td.com
Survey Methodology
The study was conducted by MARUS/VCR&C among a nationally representative group of small business owners April 11-19, 2018. Included were small businesses of $5 million or less in revenue. The sample of 578 business owners has a margin of error of +/- 4.0%.
About MARU
MARU/VCR&C is a professional services firm dedicated to improving its clients' business outcomes. It delivers its services through teams of sector-specific research consultants that have technology in their DNA, specializing in the use of Insight Community and Voice of Market technology. MARU/VCR&C's research drives decision-making across all aspects of customer experience, including innovation, product, branding, commercialization and communications.
About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com.
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Media Contact:
Martha A. Gaston, APR
TD Bank
856.505.1168
martha.gaston@td.com