A report issued by BMO Harris Bank found that the majority of business owners and executives plan on making investments in their business in 2015. A nation-wide poll of 781 business owners and executives found that 58% plan on making at least one investment in their business, with the expansion of operations leading the way as the most popular option.

“More and more business owners are coming to us, looking for help in financing their capital equipment needs,” said Jud Snyder, managing director and head, BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company. “The continued demand for specialized expertise and access to capital is a very good sign for the economy.”

Plans for upgrading or purchasing new equipment were most common for Automotive / Manufacturing (59%), Computer / Information Technology (41%) and Healthcare (35%).

“The economic recovery in the United States over the past five years has been driven by the optimism and determination of business owners, large and small, throughout the country,” said Dave Casper, executive vice president and head, Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank. “It is encouraging to see their continued confidence translate into plans for future growth.”

When asked where they plan on making those investments, the most popular answers from business owners and executives were:

• Expanding operations:31%
• Upgrading/Purchasing New Equipment: 26%
• Modernizing Technology/Systems: 23%
• Hiring More Employees: 20%