Citizens Q4 2026 Business Pulse Finds Rising Small Business Optimism Amid Steady Hiring and Increased AI Spending
Business Wire•29/09/2026•07:00 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤Revenue optimism 54%, a 2026 high, rises from 50% in Q3
- ➤Technology spending 30%, including AI, rises from 23% in Q3
- ➤Full-time headcount 83% maintained or increased; 3% plan decreases
- ➤AI users expect revenue growth 74% versus 54% overall
- ➤AI users’ hiring plans: 96% maintain or grow full-time workforce
Expert Statements
Mark Valentino, Head of Business Banking at Citizens
“Contrary to some headlines, we are not seeing AI fatigue. In fact, we may still be in the early innings of AI helping small businesses play bigger than their size.”
Mark Valentino, Head of Business Banking at Citizens
“A business owner who becomes a super user of this technology can compete like a much bigger company, and that's showing up in hiring plans.”
Citizens Q4 2026 Business Pulse Finds Rising Small Business Optimism Amid Steady Hiring and Increased AI Spending
* Revenue optimism reached a 2026 high: 54% of small business owners expect revenue to increase over the next three months, up from 50% in Q3, 48% in Q2 and 43% in Q1.
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