SunTrust: One in Three Boomer-Owned Businesses Expect to Transition Ownership in Next Five Years
More than a third of businesses lack a transition plan
ATLANTA, Nov. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As Baby Boomers increasingly reach retirement age, a third expect to transition the ownership of their business in the next five years, according to a SunTrust survey. More than a third (36 percent) do not have a specific plan for how to transition their business, and 21 percent admit that they are not financially prepared for retirement.
"Baby Boomer business owners are approaching retirement at a moment when the economy is growing and a high number of private equity firms are seeking investments," said Jason Cagle, head of Commercial Banking for SunTrust. "This makes it a very attractive time for them to explore a sale of their business. No matter what, 100 percent of privately held businesses will face a transition at some point. Three key elements to achieving financial confidence through a successful transition are: a comprehensive plan for transition, smooth execution of the transition, and proactive management of life after the transition."
Business owners are concerned not only about their preparedness for retirement, but also the future of their company after they depart. In fact, 40 percent said that excessive operational disruption would prevent them from accepting an offer to purchase their company. However, as they consider various paths to transition, Baby Boomers are open to selling. SunTrust found that more than two in five (42 percent) of surveyed business owners have considered a purchase by a private equity firm or a third-party investor, followed by passing the company down to the next generation of their family (38 percent), and employees buying ownership (18 percent) as the next phase of the ownership of their business.
"This is a critical moment for Baby Boomer business owners as they face two significant financial decisions – legacy, for the company and themselves personally, and beginning their retirement," said David Neubert, managing director, SunTrust Business Transition Advisory Group. "Many of the business owners we advise want to remain engaged in their business or their community. Developing a thorough plan well in advance of a transition – ideally, three to five years in advance – can help ensure business owners have a plan for the next phase of their lives."
Although Baby Boomer business owners are focusing on the next phase of their lives, that does not mean they are done with business or leadership. Forty percent of those surveyed do not plan to fully retire, 26 percent would serve in an advisory capacity for their former company, and 15 percent would pursue a philanthropic opportunity in their retirement years.
Methodology
The SunTrust Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 500 U.S. business owners between 54 and 72 years old with annual business revenue of $5 million to $250 million between October 12 and October 19, 2018, using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas were set to ensure statistically significant data by company size: less than 500 employees, 500-1,000 employees and more than 1,000 employees.
About SunTrust Banks, Inc.
SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) is a purpose-driven company dedicated to Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being for the people, businesses, and communities it serves. SunTrust leads onUp, a national movement inspiring Americans to build financial confidence. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Company has two business segments: Consumer and Wholesale. Its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states, along with 24-hour digital access. Certain business lines serve consumer, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients nationally. As of September 30, 2018, SunTrust had total assets of $211 billion and total deposits of $160 billion. The Company provides deposit, credit, trust, investment, mortgage, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. Learn more at suntrust.com.
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey® is the trade name for the corporate and investment banking services of SunTrust Banks, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Securities and strategic advisory services are provided by SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC.
SOURCE SunTrust Banks, Inc.
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