News Releases

MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) -

• 85 percent of business owners feel that their business will either grow or stay at the same level in 2014.
• However, only 68 percent believe that the U.S. economy will either improve or stay the same this year.
• 75 percent feel that the state economy in Wisconsin will either improve or stay the same.

BMO Harris Bank released a study today that found that business owners in Wisconsin are optimistic about the prospects for success for their own businesses for the coming year; however, they're a little more pessimistic when it comes to their outlook of the national U.S. economy in 2014. Eighty-five percent of business owners feel that their business will either grow or stay at the same level in 2014. However, only 68 percent believe that the U.S. economy will either improve or stay the same this year.

"The great news is that business owners have confidence in the prospects of their own individual businesses," said Jeff Ticknor, Managing Director and Head, Commercial Banking, Wisconsin, BMO Harris Bank. "However, while there's been progress to date, there's still some caution when it comes to the prospects for the overall U.S. economy."< /p>

When business owners in Wisconsin were asked about their expectations for the national economy, the answers were divided:

• 26 percent expect the economy to improve.
• 42 percent expect it to stay the same.
• 32 percent expect the economy to worsen.

The findings were more upbeat when business owners were asked specifically about the state economy in Wisconsin.

• 35 percent of respondents feel that Wisconsin's economy will improve in 2014.
• 40 percent believe it will stay the same.
• 25 percent believe it will worsen.

Respondents were also asked to identify what they felt was the largest advantage to doing business in Wisconsin compared to elsewhere in the United States. Answers were varied, but the top five were:

• Talent Pool/Skilled Workers/Work Ethic (10 percent )
• Good Government/Governor/Politicians (10 percent)
• Lower Taxes (8 percent)
• Good Business Climate/Environment (8 percent)
• Locally-Owned businesses (8 percent)

"We have many solid companies in Wisconsin that have weathered the economic downturn well," added Mr. Ticknor. "Many are in better shape than they were five years ago, with stronger balance sheets and more efficient operations."

National Results from the Survey

When business owners throughout the country were asked about their expectations for the economy, the results were as follows:

• 37 percent expect the economy to improve.
• 34 p ercent expect it to stay the same.
• 29 percent expect the economy to worsen.

Owners of businesses with revenues over $20 million per year were significantly more optimistic, both in their own prospects and in their outlook for the economy:

• 68 percent feel their business will grow in 2014, vs. 53 percent of all businesses.
• 45 percent feel the U.S. economy will improve in 2014, vs. 37 percent for all businesses.

Survey findings can be found at the BMO Harris Commercial Resource Center:
https://resourcecenter.bmoharris.com/tags/bmo-harris-business-outlook-survey/1666

Positive Forecast for 2014 from BMO Economics

A recent report from BMO Economics on U.S. economic prospects for 2014 was considerably upbeat, given a combination of record levels of household wealth, lower debt, lower gas prices and improved prospects for employment.

"The clouds are parting, and therefore we're forecasting GDP growth of 2.9 percent for the coming year," said Michael Gregory, Head of U.S. Economics, BMO Capital Markets. "We foresee increased consumer spending and business investment along with export growth and improved household finances all playing a part in creating strong growth in 2014."

The survey was conducted by Pollara with an online sample of 601 American business owners (including an oversample of 50 Wisconsin owners) in November, 2013. A probability sample of this size would be accurate to +/- 4%, 19 times out of 20.

About BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris® and BMO Harris Bank^® are trade names used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and approximately CDN $537 billion in assets (as of Oct. 31, 2013).