Almost 6 in 10 banking CEOs have high hopes for economic improvement: survey

90% are already foreseeing revenue growth.

According to PwC's latest survey, this year’s result sees the economic rebound in a far more upbeat industry.

More than 90% of banking & capital markets CEOs are looking ahead to revenue growth over the coming three years.

Here's more from PwC:

Fifty-six percent believe the global economy will improve over the coming 12 months, compared to 19% last year, making this one of the most confident sectors in the survey. 

The buoyant outlook is reflected in the fact that more than half of banking & capital markets CEOs are planning to take on more staff over the next 12 months, with most of these anticipating headcount increases of at least 5%.

“It actually feels quite good,” said Douglas Flint, Chairman, HSBC, when asked about how he sees the prospects for the global economy. “And the mood is better, the political mood is better, the business leader mood is better. And, well, let’s just hope it’s sustainable.”

The renewed confidence extends to many of the economies most severely affected by the financial and sovereign debt crisis. “The banking sector has survived a crisis unlike any other and was shaken to its core. It is now in preparation for the ‘new era’ of the Greek economy, which will be measured against the yardstick of growth,” said Stavros Lekkakos, CEO, Piraeus Bank.

But the upturn continues to be uneven and there are still considerable headwinds to contend with.

Around 70% of banking and capital markets CEOs are concerned about slow or negative growth in developed markets and the impact of governments’ response to fiscal deficits and debt burdens.