2026 Business Barometer: Small Enterprises Show Rising Confidence
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 25 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Increased Investment Appetite: The 2026 Business Barometer indicates that 72% of small businesses anticipate increased demand, 67% expect revenue growth, and 59% foresee profitability improvements, reflecting a strong willingness to invest over the next 12 months despite inflation and tariff pressures.
- AI Driving Growth: The survey reveals that 96% of businesses believe advancements in AI will significantly boost productivity, while 92% expect improvements in employee satisfaction and retention, indicating a rising priority for technology investments among enterprises.
- Cybersecurity Investment Priority: With 70% of businesses experiencing fraud losses in the past year, 44% plan to upgrade payment or authentication technologies, highlighting the urgent need for operational protection and reflecting a balance between growth investments and risk management.
- Complex Tariff Impact: While 67% of small businesses report limited tariff impact, 48% of middle-market companies view tariffs as harmful, and 85% expect tariff volatility to persist for at least a year, indicating a cautious approach as businesses navigate uncertainty.
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Analyst Views on COLB
Wall Street analysts forecast COLB stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 32.240
Low
30.00
Averages
32.68
High
37.00
Current: 32.240
Low
30.00
Averages
32.68
High
37.00
About COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the parent company of Columbia Bank (the Bank), a Western United States regional bank. The Bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration (SBA) lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. The Bank’s customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. The Bank offers specialized loans for corporate, middle market, and small business customers, including commercial lines of credit and term loans, accounts receivable and inventory financing, international trade finance, multifamily loans, equipment loans, commercial equipment leases, SBA program financing, and capital markets. The Bank operates at more than 350 locations across eight Western states: Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Three Stock Analyses: Potential and Challenges
- Kontoor Brands Weak Performance: Despite a 17.6% rise in the past month, Kontoor Brands (KTB) has shown disappointing constant currency revenue growth, indicating soft demand, with a five-year annual EPS growth of only 7.6%, below peer averages, and declining returns on capital suggest management's investments are destroying value.
- Caution on Columbia Banking System: Columbia Banking System (COLB) has increased by 6.7% over the past month, but its 9.6% annual revenue growth lags behind banking peers, with a 2.1% annual decline in EPS over the last five years indicating profitability issues, and a 1.3% decline in tangible book value per share reflects challenges in capital management.
- Growth Potential of UnitedHealth: UnitedHealth (UNH) has risen 4.5% in the last month, with an annual revenue growth of 11.3% surpassing most peers, demonstrating customer value recognition, and its $449.7 billion revenue scale allows for cost spreading across a larger member base, showcasing management's profitability.
- Market Trend Observation: While market attention on these stocks is increasing, investors should exercise caution, particularly regarding the potential risks associated with KTB and COLB, and thorough research is recommended to assess their long-term investment value.
See More
Columbia Bank Launches Veteran Medical Debt Relief Initiative
- Debt Relief Initiative: Columbia Bank partners with ForgiveCo to eliminate $5 million in medical debt for over 2,000 veterans and their families, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and enhance long-term financial stability.
- No Application Needed: Eligible veteran families will be randomly selected for debt relief without the need for an application, directly benefiting veterans in regions such as Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Long-term Support Services: In addition to debt relief, recipients will have access to complimentary counseling, guidance, and educational resources, which will help them achieve long-term financial stability and improve their economic opportunities.
- Celebrating 250th Anniversary: This initiative is part of Columbia Bank's celebration of America's 250th anniversary, reflecting a commitment to support veterans and their families, thereby enhancing their quality of life and economic prospects.
See More
Columbia Bank Launches Veteran Medical Debt Relief Initiative
- Medical Debt Relief: Columbia Bank partners with ForgiveCo to eliminate $5 million in medical debt for over 2,000 veterans and their families, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and improve their financial well-being.
- No Application Required: Eligible veteran families will be randomly selected for debt relief without the need for an application, directly impacting those earning up to 80% of the area median income and helping them rebuild their credit.
- Long-term Support Services: In addition to debt relief, recipients will have access to complimentary counseling, guidance, and educational resources to support their long-term financial stability, further enhancing their economic opportunities.
- Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary: This initiative is part of Columbia Bank's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, reflecting its commitment to supporting veterans and active-duty service members through various initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life.
See More
Columbia Banking System to Release Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Columbia Banking System is set to announce its Q2 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026, after market close, reflecting its market performance and financial health in the western region.
- Investor Conference Call: The company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET) on the same day, where management will discuss the financial results and recent activities, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
- Participation Details: Participants can register for the call using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation.
- Company Overview: Columbia Banking System, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the largest banks in the West, offering a full suite of retail and commercial banking services, committed to delivering superior personalized service to its clients.
See More
Columbia Banking System to Release Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Columbia Banking System will announce its Q2 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026, after market close, which is expected to provide updates on recent business activities, aiding investors in assessing the company's performance.
- Investor Conference Call: The company will host a conference call at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET) on the same day, where management will discuss the financial results and hold a Q&A session, enhancing interaction and transparency with investors.
- Registration Process: Participants can register for the call using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation.
- Company Background: Columbia Banking System, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the largest banks in the western U.S., offering a full suite of retail and commercial banking services, committed to delivering superior personalized service to its customers.
See More
Columbia Bank Releases 2026 Business Barometer Findings
- Increased Business Confidence: The 2026 Business Barometer indicates that nearly 1,200 surveyed businesses show growing confidence among leaders regarding efficiency and productivity gains over the next 12 months, which are expected to drive profitability and technology investments, signaling potential economic recovery.
- AI Investment Priority: The survey reveals that advances in AI capabilities have become the top investment priority, with 10% of businesses viewing AI advancements as a potential threat to their viability, highlighting the increasing reliance on technology for competitive advantage.
- Rising Cybersecurity Investments: With 70% of businesses experiencing financial losses related to fraud in the past year, cybersecurity has emerged as a top three investment priority, although many companies have yet to implement effective fraud prevention tools, underscoring the urgency of protecting operations.
- Complex Tariff Impacts: The survey highlights that the unpredictability of tariff implementation poses greater challenges for middle-market companies, with businesses employing various strategies to manage tariff-related costs, reflecting the complexity of the market environment and cautious decision-making.
See More
Three Stock Analyses: Potential and Challenges
- Kontoor Brands Weak Performance: Despite a 17.6% rise in the past month, Kontoor Brands (KTB) has shown disappointing constant currency revenue growth, indicating soft demand, with a five-year annual EPS growth of only 7.6%, below peer averages, and declining returns on capital suggest management's investments are destroying value.
- Caution on Columbia Banking System: Columbia Banking System (COLB) has increased by 6.7% over the past month, but its 9.6% annual revenue growth lags behind banking peers, with a 2.1% annual decline in EPS over the last five years indicating profitability issues, and a 1.3% decline in tangible book value per share reflects challenges in capital management.
- Growth Potential of UnitedHealth: UnitedHealth (UNH) has risen 4.5% in the last month, with an annual revenue growth of 11.3% surpassing most peers, demonstrating customer value recognition, and its $449.7 billion revenue scale allows for cost spreading across a larger member base, showcasing management's profitability.
- Market Trend Observation: While market attention on these stocks is increasing, investors should exercise caution, particularly regarding the potential risks associated with KTB and COLB, and thorough research is recommended to assess their long-term investment value.
See More
Columbia Bank Launches Veteran Medical Debt Relief Initiative
- Debt Relief Initiative: Columbia Bank partners with ForgiveCo to eliminate $5 million in medical debt for over 2,000 veterans and their families, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and enhance long-term financial stability.
- No Application Needed: Eligible veteran families will be randomly selected for debt relief without the need for an application, directly benefiting veterans in regions such as Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Long-term Support Services: In addition to debt relief, recipients will have access to complimentary counseling, guidance, and educational resources, which will help them achieve long-term financial stability and improve their economic opportunities.
- Celebrating 250th Anniversary: This initiative is part of Columbia Bank's celebration of America's 250th anniversary, reflecting a commitment to support veterans and their families, thereby enhancing their quality of life and economic prospects.
See More
Columbia Bank Launches Veteran Medical Debt Relief Initiative
- Medical Debt Relief: Columbia Bank partners with ForgiveCo to eliminate $5 million in medical debt for over 2,000 veterans and their families, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and improve their financial well-being.
- No Application Required: Eligible veteran families will be randomly selected for debt relief without the need for an application, directly impacting those earning up to 80% of the area median income and helping them rebuild their credit.
- Long-term Support Services: In addition to debt relief, recipients will have access to complimentary counseling, guidance, and educational resources to support their long-term financial stability, further enhancing their economic opportunities.
- Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary: This initiative is part of Columbia Bank's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, reflecting its commitment to supporting veterans and active-duty service members through various initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life.
See More
Columbia Banking System to Release Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Columbia Banking System is set to announce its Q2 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026, after market close, reflecting its market performance and financial health in the western region.
- Investor Conference Call: The company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET) on the same day, where management will discuss the financial results and recent activities, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
- Participation Details: Participants can register for the call using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation.
- Company Overview: Columbia Banking System, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the largest banks in the West, offering a full suite of retail and commercial banking services, committed to delivering superior personalized service to its clients.
See More
Columbia Banking System to Release Q2 2026 Financial Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Columbia Banking System will announce its Q2 2026 financial results on July 23, 2026, after market close, which is expected to provide updates on recent business activities, aiding investors in assessing the company's performance.
- Investor Conference Call: The company will host a conference call at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET) on the same day, where management will discuss the financial results and hold a Q&A session, enhancing interaction and transparency with investors.
- Registration Process: Participants can register for the call using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation.
- Company Background: Columbia Banking System, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the largest banks in the western U.S., offering a full suite of retail and commercial banking services, committed to delivering superior personalized service to its customers.
See More
Columbia Bank Releases 2026 Business Barometer Findings
- Increased Business Confidence: The 2026 Business Barometer indicates that nearly 1,200 surveyed businesses show growing confidence among leaders regarding efficiency and productivity gains over the next 12 months, which are expected to drive profitability and technology investments, signaling potential economic recovery.
- AI Investment Priority: The survey reveals that advances in AI capabilities have become the top investment priority, with 10% of businesses viewing AI advancements as a potential threat to their viability, highlighting the increasing reliance on technology for competitive advantage.
- Rising Cybersecurity Investments: With 70% of businesses experiencing financial losses related to fraud in the past year, cybersecurity has emerged as a top three investment priority, although many companies have yet to implement effective fraud prevention tools, underscoring the urgency of protecting operations.
- Complex Tariff Impacts: The survey highlights that the unpredictability of tariff implementation poses greater challenges for middle-market companies, with businesses employing various strategies to manage tariff-related costs, reflecting the complexity of the market environment and cautious decision-making.
See More
