First Executive Economic Outlook Report Courtesy of Roundtable

The Financial Services Roundtable today announced results from its inaugural Executive Economic Outlook Survey, a bi-annual review of the perspectives of senior industry executives from 100 of the largest financial services companies in America. Roundtable member company executives were asked about the challenges they face in today’s economic climate, and were also asked to predict what the next six months will hold. Topics ranged from employment and profitability to compliance and capital. Overall, Roundtable executives are optimistic about the first half of 2013. More than half (58 percent) expect company profitability to increase, and nearly three-fourths (72 percent) expect growth in capital reserves. More than seventy-five percent of executives are confident that company employment will grow or stay the same. When asked what policy issues facing their companies loom largest, executives were split between capital and liquidity rules (28 percent) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (26 percent). Other major policy concerns included housing and interchange rules. “The industry leaders are optimistic about the economy, but growth will be hindered by the cost of government regulation and fiscal uncertainty,” said Scott Talbott, senior vice president of public policy for the Roundtable. “The Roundtable and its members will continue working with customers and policymakers to strengthen the economy.”