Mid-Atlantic Small Businesses Show Resilience Despite Economic Pressures — WSFS Financial Corporation

Event summary

92% of Mid-Atlantic small business decision-makers report meeting or exceeding performance expectations despite economic pressures.
66% of respondents anticipate business growth over the next 12 months.
52% of businesses cite inflation as the primary driver of decreased performance.
81% of respondents use AI tools for at least one business function.
WSFS Bank surveyed 505 small business owners/decision-makers in the Mid-Atlantic region from March 18–28, 2026.

The big picture

WSFS Bank's survey highlights the adaptability of Mid-Atlantic small businesses in navigating economic challenges. Despite inflation and tariff uncertainties, a significant portion of businesses remain optimistic about growth, leveraging AI tools and strategic cost management. The findings underscore the importance of robust banking partnerships in supporting small business resilience, particularly for newer and smaller enterprises. With $22.1 billion in assets and $97.6 billion in assets under management, WSFS Bank's insights provide a critical lens into the regional economic landscape.

What we're watching

Economic Resilience: How small businesses will sustain growth amid persistent inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
AI Adoption: The pace at which smaller businesses integrate AI tools to compete with larger counterparts.
Banking Partnerships: Whether deeper banking relationships will drive success for smaller, newer, and lower-revenue businesses.