U.S. Bank CFO Survey: Optimism Climbing as Growth and Dealmaking Gain Momentum
Business Wire•29/09/2026•09:57 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤Three-year U.S. economic optimism rises to 68%, from 58% in spring
- ➤Company three-year financial outlook improves to 71%, from 64%
- ➤Revenue growth nearly matches cost-cutting as top priority, 35% versus 37%
- ➤M&A exploration climbs into finance leaders’ top-three priorities
- ➤AI investment creates commercial opportunity for 69% of businesses, while 51% exceeded budgets
Expert Statements
Stephen Philipson, U.S. Bank Vice Chair and Head of Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking
“Since our spring CFO survey, we've seen a shift in how finance leaders view the current environment. The underlying risks remain largely the same, but optimism has improved and priorities are adjusting. Finance leaders remain focused on cutting costs, yet they're also placing greater emphasis on revenue growth and pursuing M&A opportunities”
Stephen Philipson, U.S. Bank Vice Chair and Head of Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking
“Taken together, the findings as well as our client conversations suggest companies are increasingly willing to act rather than allowing uncertainty to delay important strategic decisions.”
U.S. Bank CFO Survey: Optimism Climbing as Growth and Dealmaking Gain Momentum
Research captures finance leader insights on economic sentiment, M&A appetite, AI spending, and inflation
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