Business
Huntington Bank's 2026 Beyond Business Report Reveals Rebounding Optimism, Readiness Gaps for Business Owners
Third annual report highlights new data on business optimism, succession readiness and rising risk factors for business ownersCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 24, 2026
About this update from Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
[{"type":"text","content":"Third annual report highlights new data on business optimism, succession readiness and rising risk factors for business ownersCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Huntington National Bank (\"Huntington\") today released the 2026 Beyond Business Report, an annual study examining business sentiment and market conditions among small- to mid-sized businesses. Powered by Barlow Research, the study surveyed more than 750 business owners, chief financial officers and financial decision-makers and features expert insights from Dan Griffith, director of wealth strategy at Huntington, and Olu Omodunbi, PhD, chief economist for Huntington Private Bank.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\"Every day, business owners make decisions that go far beyond the balance sheet—decisions about their people, their legacy and the long-term value of what they've worked to build,\" said Melissa Holding, director of wealth management at Huntington. \"The Beyond Business Report reflects the real pressures and opportunities business owners are navigating and is one of the important ways we provide trusted insight and guidance to help businesses move forward with confidence.\"2026 Beyond Business Report Key Insights Optimism Drives Intentions, but Reality Shapes OperationsBusiness leaders are more optimistic about the U.S. economy and their own financial outlook in 2026 compared to prior years. Yet even as optimism rises, the operating landscape remains complex:Nearly all (95%) businesses report rising costs and wage pressure as a major issues with companies under $50 million in annual sales citing them as their top concern.87% of businesses cite cybersecurity and fraud risks as major threats.Businesses report cost increases—especially related to employee wages, supplier expenses and raw materials—as the biggest impact on profitability.\"Economic conditions are expected to support consumer spending and investment in 2026. Inflation has eased, interest rate expectations are becoming clearer and consumer balance sheets remain relatively healthy,\" said Omodunbi. \"While risks remain, these dynamics are creating a more stable environment for businesses to plan, invest and grow.\"More Owners Expect Change, but Many Are Not ReadyThere is a significant shift underway in business ownership dynamics, and many businesses are not prepared:54% of businesses anticipate a...