{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"157051","rtpr_id":"nACSySxBna-20260930","ticker":"KEY","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["KEY"],"title":"Small Business Owners Aren't Losing Their Dream, but They're Paying More To Achieve It","author":"ACCESSWIRE","published_at":"2026-09-30T15:10:00.861Z","article_body":"CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / September\n30, 2026 / Small business owners are continuing to combat inflation and rising\ncosts, according to the newly released KeyBank (NYSE:KEY) 2026 Small Business\nSurvey (https://pr.report/qx70). The survey found that one-third (33%) of\nowners are absorbing rising costs out of their own paycheck rather than\npassing them on to customers underscoring the value they place on the\nrelationships they've built.\n\nStill, their resolve hasn't wavered and they are generating success even amid\neconomic hardship. Nearly every small business owner can point to a tangible\nwin this year - with 94% of owners claiming they made one accomplishment this\nyear, 79% saying two or more and nearly two-thirds (62%) stating three or more\nin the past year.\n\nOwners described their accomplishments as: keeping prices stable for\ncustomers, improving operating efficiency, sustaining their current customer\nbase, adding new products or services, or growing revenue year over year.\n\nThe findings underscore the small businesses owners momentum and passion: 88%\nof owners say they are just as motivated by the original dream that started\ntheir business.\n\n\"Resilience is at the heart of every successful small business story,\" said\nOliver Kardos, COO of Business Banking at KeyBank. \"Behind each small business\nis an owner who has persevered through financial uncertainty and stayed\ncommitted to their customers and their dream. Their determination strengthens\ncommunities, powers our economy, and creates opportunities for the\nentrepreneurs who follow in their footsteps.\"\n\nInflation Pressure Continues, Cash Flow Improves\n\nInflation and rising costs remain a dominant threat for the second year\nrunning cited by 53% of owners (up from 50% in 2025 (https://pr.report/qx71)).\n\nThe good news: owners are actively rebuilding their financial position with\n23% saying they strengthened cash reserves and 26% saying they paid down debt\nthis year. More than half (54%) of owners are certain they could fund one\nmonth of operating expenses from cash reserves alone (up from 33% in 2024\n(https://pr.report/qx72)).\n\nAs compared to last year, fewer owners are in survival mode (17%, down from\n23% in 2025) and 28% are actively investing for long-term growth, an increase\nfrom 2025 (22%).\n\nDefining and Achieving Success\n\nFor small business owners success can be found outside of the balance sheet\nshaped by a mix of independence, security, and legacy that fuels their\nresilience even in a challenging economic climate.\n* Independence and legacy: 51% of small business owners say freedom and\nautonomy define success while 34% are building something to pass down to\nfamily.\n* Financial stability and stewardship: 46% of owners cite financial security\nas a core measure of success and 30% are focused on providing good jobs for\ntheir employees.\n\"The findings in this survey reinforce what we've long known: small business\nowners are among the most resilient and determined leaders in our economy.\nThey navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities and work tirelessly to turn\ntheir dreams into reality. At KeyBank, we're committed to helping these\nentrepreneurs achieve lasting success, strengthen their communities and create\na legacy that endures for generations,\" said Kardos.\n\nAt Key it's our mission to ensure clients have access to the resources,\ninsights, and financial advice so they can navigate whatever comes their way.\nFor additional insights and resources to help your business visit KeyBank\nSmall Business (https://pr.report/qx73) or connect with your local business\nbanking advisors at a KeyBank branch near you (https://pr.report/qx74).\n\nMethodology\n\nThis survey was conducted online in August 2026 with Centiment and included\n1,500 small business owners ages 18-99 from across the United States who own\nor operate a small-to-medium size business with an annual gross revenue of\nless than $10 million.\n\nABOUT KEYCORP\n\nKeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York.\nHeadquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest\nbank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $191\nbillion at June 30, 2026.\n\nKey provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to\nindividuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National\nAssociation through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately\n1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and\ninvestment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and\nprivate debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market\ncompanies in selected industries throughout the United States under the\nKeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit\nhttps://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.\n\nCFMA: 260921-5015828\n\n(https://app.accessnewswire.com/imagelibrary/dbea51c7-c0bb-43fb-98b4-10cb008732ce/1228987/5c873aef-ef89-4e05-bf94-917dd750ea55.png)\n\nFind more stories and multimedia from KeyBank at 3blmedia.com.\n(https://pr.report/qx76)\n\nContact Info:\nSpokesperson: KeyBank\nWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank\nEmail: info@3blmedia.com\n\nSOURCE: KeyBank\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/small-business-owners-arent-losing-their-dream-but-theyre-paying-mor-1228987)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nACSySxBna-20260930","title":"Small Business Owners Aren't Losing Their Dream, but They're Paying More To Achieve It","author":"ACCESSWIRE","ticker":"KEY","created":"2026-09-30T15:10:00.861Z","tickers":["KEY"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/) / September\n30, 2026 / Small business owners are continuing to combat inflation and rising\ncosts, according to the newly released KeyBank (NYSE:KEY) 2026 Small Business\nSurvey (https://pr.report/qx70). The survey found that one-third (33%) of\nowners are absorbing rising costs out of their own paycheck rather than\npassing them on to customers underscoring the value they place on the\nrelationships they've built.\n\nStill, their resolve hasn't wavered and they are generating success even amid\neconomic hardship. Nearly every small business owner can point to a tangible\nwin this year - with 94% of owners claiming they made one accomplishment this\nyear, 79% saying two or more and nearly two-thirds (62%) stating three or more\nin the past year.\n\nOwners described their accomplishments as: keeping prices stable for\ncustomers, improving operating efficiency, sustaining their current customer\nbase, adding new products or services, or growing revenue year over year.\n\nThe findings underscore the small businesses owners momentum and passion: 88%\nof owners say they are just as motivated by the original dream that started\ntheir business.\n\n\"Resilience is at the heart of every successful small business story,\" said\nOliver Kardos, COO of Business Banking at KeyBank. \"Behind each small business\nis an owner who has persevered through financial uncertainty and stayed\ncommitted to their customers and their dream. Their determination strengthens\ncommunities, powers our economy, and creates opportunities for the\nentrepreneurs who follow in their footsteps.\"\n\nInflation Pressure Continues, Cash Flow Improves\n\nInflation and rising costs remain a dominant threat for the second year\nrunning cited by 53% of owners (up from 50% in 2025 (https://pr.report/qx71)).\n\nThe good news: owners are actively rebuilding their financial position with\n23% saying they strengthened cash reserves and 26% saying they paid down debt\nthis year. More than half (54%) of owners are certain they could fund one\nmonth of operating expenses from cash reserves alone (up from 33% in 2024\n(https://pr.report/qx72)).\n\nAs compared to last year, fewer owners are in survival mode (17%, down from\n23% in 2025) and 28% are actively investing for long-term growth, an increase\nfrom 2025 (22%).\n\nDefining and Achieving Success\n\nFor small business owners success can be found outside of the balance sheet\nshaped by a mix of independence, security, and legacy that fuels their\nresilience even in a challenging economic climate.\n* Independence and legacy: 51% of small business owners say freedom and\nautonomy define success while 34% are building something to pass down to\nfamily.\n* Financial stability and stewardship: 46% of owners cite financial security\nas a core measure of success and 30% are focused on providing good jobs for\ntheir employees.\n\"The findings in this survey reinforce what we've long known: small business\nowners are among the most resilient and determined leaders in our economy.\nThey navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities and work tirelessly to turn\ntheir dreams into reality. At KeyBank, we're committed to helping these\nentrepreneurs achieve lasting success, strengthen their communities and create\na legacy that endures for generations,\" said Kardos.\n\nAt Key it's our mission to ensure clients have access to the resources,\ninsights, and financial advice so they can navigate whatever comes their way.\nFor additional insights and resources to help your business visit KeyBank\nSmall Business (https://pr.report/qx73) or connect with your local business\nbanking advisors at a KeyBank branch near you (https://pr.report/qx74).\n\nMethodology\n\nThis survey was conducted online in August 2026 with Centiment and included\n1,500 small business owners ages 18-99 from across the United States who own\nor operate a small-to-medium size business with an annual gross revenue of\nless than $10 million.\n\nABOUT KEYCORP\n\nKeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York.\nHeadquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest\nbank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $191\nbillion at June 30, 2026.\n\nKey provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to\nindividuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National\nAssociation through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately\n1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and\ninvestment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and\nprivate debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market\ncompanies in selected industries throughout the United States under the\nKeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit\nhttps://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.\n\nCFMA: 260921-5015828\n\n(https://app.accessnewswire.com/imagelibrary/dbea51c7-c0bb-43fb-98b4-10cb008732ce/1228987/5c873aef-ef89-4e05-bf94-917dd750ea55.png)\n\nFind more stories and multimedia from KeyBank at 3blmedia.com.\n(https://pr.report/qx76)\n\nContact Info:\nSpokesperson: KeyBank\nWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank\nEmail: info@3blmedia.com\n\nSOURCE: KeyBank\nView the original press release\n(https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/small-business-owners-arent-losing-their-dream-but-theyre-paying-mor-1228987)\non ACCESS Newswire\n\n\nCopyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-09-30T15:10:00.931868356Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790781000931},"received_at":"2026-09-30T15:10:00.984Z","source_url":"https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/small-business-owners-arent-losing-their-dream-but-theyre-paying-mor-1228987"},"analysis":{"id":"145727","press_release_id":"157051","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Banks","sector":"Financials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"KeyBank released its 2026 Small Business Survey, finding that 53% of owners cite inflation and rising costs as the dominant threat, up from 50% in 2025.\n\nThe survey of 1,500 owners shows improving financial health: 54% could cover one month of operating expenses from cash reserves, up from 33% in 2024, and only 17% are in survival mode versus 23% last year.\n\nThe release is brand marketing for KeyBank's small business banking franchise and carries no direct financial or strategic disclosure for KeyCorp.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Suppress — brand survey release with no earnings, guidance, or strategic impact for KEY."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"survey_respondents":1500,"keycorp_total_assets":"approximately $191 billion at June 30, 2026","owners_citing_inflation_top_threat":"53% (up from 50% in 2025)","owners_absorbing_costs_via_paycheck":"33%","owners_could_fund_one_month_expenses_from_reserves":"54% (up from 33% in 2024)"}},"quotedText":"Resilience is at the heart of every successful small business story","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Oliver Kardos","role":"COO of Business Banking at KeyBank"}],"products":["KeyBank 2026 Small Business Survey","KeyBanc Capital Markets"],"companies":[{"name":"KeyBank","ticker":"KEY","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"KeyCorp","ticker":"KEY","relationship":"parent company"},{"name":"Centiment","relationship":"survey provider"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"annual gross revenue ceiling for surveyed small businesses"},{"amount":"$191 billion","context":"KeyCorp total assets at June 30, 2026"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Brand-marketing survey release from KeyBank's small business franchise; no financial results, guidance, or strategic action disclosed. Minimal direct bearing on KeyCorp fundamentals."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"KEY"},"globalImportance":8,"audienceRelevance":12,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"large-cap","eventGravity":"marketing-survey-release","financialImpact":"none","householdBrandBoost":"moderate"}},"event_type":"other","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"KeyBank released its 2026 Small Business Survey, finding that 53% of owners cite inflation and rising costs as the dominant threat, up from 50% in 2025.\n\nThe survey of 1,500 owners shows improving financial health: 54% could cover one month of operating expenses from cash reserves, up from 33% in 2024, and only 17% are in survival mode versus 23% last year.\n\nThe release is brand marketing for KeyBank's small business banking franchise and carries no direct financial or strategic disclosure for KeyCorp.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"survey_respondents":1500,"keycorp_total_assets":"approximately $191 billion at June 30, 2026","owners_citing_inflation_top_threat":"53% (up from 50% in 2025)","owners_absorbing_costs_via_paycheck":"33%","owners_could_fund_one_month_expenses_from_reserves":"54% (up from 33% in 2024)"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Oliver Kardos","role":"COO of Business Banking at KeyBank"}],"products":["KeyBank 2026 Small Business Survey","KeyBanc Capital Markets"],"companies":[{"name":"KeyBank","ticker":"KEY","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"KeyCorp","ticker":"KEY","relationship":"parent company"},{"name":"Centiment","relationship":"survey provider"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"$10 million","context":"annual gross revenue ceiling for surveyed small businesses"},{"amount":"$191 billion","context":"KeyCorp total assets at June 30, 2026"}]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-09-30T15:10:06.418Z","global_importance":8,"audience_relevance":12,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"large-cap","eventGravity":"marketing-survey-release","financialImpact":"none","householdBrandBoost":"moderate"}},"durationMs":5411,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}