Bank Executive Survey
The outlook is bleaker than ever, according to Grant Thornton’s 15th Bank Executive Survey. More than half of the respondents said they are pessimistic about the economy and fewer than one in 10 is optimistic — the highest pessimism and the lowest optimism in the survey’s history. Bankers are also waiting for the other shoe to drop when it comes to their local real estate markets, with most expecting them not to hit bottom for another six months.
Bankers were also asked about how they are addressing issues like risk management, supervisory controls, competition, and compensation and disclosures amidst an uncertain climate. What do bank executives consider integral to their banks’ success in the coming year? What are the biggest challenges they face? How are banks positioning themselves for growth? The survey, conducted in conjunction with Bank Director magazine, provides additional insights about the current banking environment and forecasts what may be on the horizon.
Read more about these and other survey results in the 15th Bank Executive Survey.
View the webcast
In addition, watch an eight-minute webcast in which Bank Director and Grant Thornton's Financial Institutions Practice Group review the results of the survey, capturing community bankers’ opinions and plans for 2008 and beyond. To access the webcast, you will need to scroll down to the “Interviews/Webcasts” section of the page and complete a brief, one-time registration.
Related documents
15th Bank Executive Survey (656 KB) This comprehensive study captures bank executives' opinions and plans for the year ahead on topics including the national economy, growth strategies, credit and lending, technology, risk management, corporate governance and compensation.
15th Bank Executive Survey presentation (256 KB) A companion piece to the survey, this presentation breaks down the most recent survey's findings.
14th Annual Survey of Bank Executives (614 KB) The 2007 survey found an industry that was neither comfortable nor complacent, but looking for new opportunities and determined to succeed. Find out what bankers think about competition, funding, growth initiatives, the important factors for success and more.
Thirteenth Annual Survey of Bank Executives (618 KB) In 2006, bankers again identified retaining deposits, retaining key employees and attracting new business as the three elements important to their success; however, their confidence in their ability to achieve their goals has declined since last year.
Twelfth Annual Survey of Community Bank Executives (506 KB) The future looks bright for community banking: Seven out of 10 community bankers say they have an optimistic outlook for the business of community banking in 2005. And, more than two-thirds share that sentiment about the general economic outlook in 2005.
Eleventh Annual Survey of Community Bank Executives (493 KB) The banking industry has a generally rosy outlook for 2004: Seventy-six percent report a positive outlook for community banking. Community bankers are also looking towards internal over external growth for the short term by improving existing services and/or offering new lines of business.