Bank of America Small Business Owner Report. May 17, 2012

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1 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report May 17,

2 About Bank of America About Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 57 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,250 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industryleading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. About Small Business With nearly 4 million small business customers, Bank of America understands the vital role of small businesses in the U.S. economy. At Bank of America, we have a long history of serving our small business community. We help business owners by providing cash management, borrowing, deposit and investment solutions and bringing the best of our franchise to meet their specific needs. Highlights of our commitment include: Extending more than $1.7 billion in new credit to small businesses (less than $20 M in annual revenue) in the first quarter of an increase of 21% over the same period last year Participating as one of 13 banks that have pledged to the White House and the SBA to increase small business lending by a total of $20 billion over the next three years. In 2011, the bank reached its pledge to increase new small business lending by $1 billion Serving as the leading bank supporting Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and unlocking low-cost capital for small businesses through the CDFI grant program. This has allowed CDFIs to access more than $102 million to support more than 9,000 local businesses and help create and retain more than 14,000 jobs Adding 800 Small Business Bankers to help bring our small business expertise closer to our clients in local markets Providing free advice to more than 68,000 members through our Small Business Online Community 2

3 Today s Presenters Dean Athanasia Preferred and Small Business Executive for Bank of America Dean Athanasia is the Preferred and Small Business executive at Bank of America. In this role, Athanasia is responsible for the bank s twelve million Small Business owners and Mass Affluent clients, including delivering all products, services and solutions through a team of banking, investment and mortgage specialists. Athanasia is also responsible for Merrill Edge, an easy-to-use online and phone-based offering. Robb Hilson Small Business Executive for Bank of America Robb Hilson is the Small Business executive at Bank of America. Hilson leads a national organization that provides banking solutions to almost 4 million businesses with annual revenue up to $5 million across the U.S. Most recently, he served as the Client Development Group executive within Global Commercial Banking. Hilson joined Bank of America in 1987 and has held a number of leadership positions in Commercial Banking including PNW Product Delivery executive, GCIB Credit Services executive, SE Regional Business Banking executive, and South Florida Commercial Market executive. He also has held the positions of market president in South Florida and Palm Beach County, as well as state president of Florida. 3

4 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report What We Set Out to Accomplish How We Did It Develop a comprehensive semi-annual study that explores the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners across the country. Examine a wide spectrum of topics relevant to small business owners including: The state of the economy Growth expectations Lifestyle issues Cash and credit management Resources and advice Phone survey conducted by Braun Research March 17 and April 9, 2012 National sample of 1,000 small business owners in the United States with annual revenue between $100,000 and $4,999,999 and employing between 2 and 99 employees. Oversample of 300 small business owners in nine target markets: Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Miami. Margin of error: National: +/- 3.1% Oversampled markets: +/

5 Anatomy of a Small Business Owner There is no single path to small business ownership. Reasons for starting a business ranged from the desire to be one s own boss to wanting a complete career switch. 5

6 Stressed but Optimistic Small business owners find running their business to be the most stressful aspect of their lives. 6

7 Economic Outlook While they have a number of specific economic concerns, small business owners are more confident in their local economy than the national economy with 7 in 10 (69%) believing their local economy is important to the overall success of their business. 7

8 Revenue and Hiring Expectations Despite several specific economic concerns, small business owners are optimistic about the future of their own business both in terms of hiring and revenue growth. 8

9 Talent Considerations Talent retention is top of mind with small business owners. However, despite recognizing the importance of competitive benefits and pay to attracting top candidates, nearly half of respondents admit to not offering any financial benefits package to their employees. 9

10 Cash Management Despite cash flow challenges, small business owners are underutilizing tools and resources that can help streamline and enhance cash management. 10

11 Credit Landscape While credit appears to be available, small business owners are not necessarily leveraging their loans to maximize day-to-day capital. 11

12 Advice and Expertise External expertise is important to small business owners and they rely on a wide range of resources for counsel on a variety of financial and business issues. 12

13 Marketing for Growth Small business owners consider marketing to be a core business priority and growth driver. Though they utilize a variety of marketing tactics, small business owners overwhelmingly find word of mouth to be most effective. 13

14 Q & A For more information contact: Don Vecchiarello, Bank of America Media Relations Manager Phone: (980) don.vecchiarello@bankofamerica.com 14