As leaders in deposit management, Ampersand has surveyed CFOs and financial decision-makers for the last three years on issues related to cash management and banking, so that we can be an advocate for depositors and their needs. This marks the third annual edition of our research, rebranded this year as the CFO Cash Confidence Survey to spotlight the vital role confidence plays in deposit decisions.
Our goal is to surface actionable facts that empower Main Street businesses to strengthen their cash positions, maximize financial safety, and earn competitive returns.
Survey Overview
Conducted in December 2025, this online survey gathered insights from 256 U.S. CFOs and financial leaders actively involved in deposit decisions. Respondents span diverse industries and company sizes, with robust representation from smaller firms (44% under 100 employees) and C-suite executives (89%).
Critical Risks in Deposit Management
Widespread Exposure to Uninsured Deposits
An alarming 86% of organizations maintain typical balances exceeding $250,000 at a single bank which is far above the standard FDIC insurance limit. Compounding this risk, only 57% of respondents correctly identify the $250,000 maximum coverage per depositor per bank, revealing a significant knowledge gap in FDIC protections.
High Awareness of Bank Failures, Low Preparedness
Three-quarters (75%) of financial leaders are aware of recent U.S. bank failures. Yet, if their primary bank failed and deposits became inaccessible, businesses could operate for less than three months on average. This vulnerability highlights a stark disconnect: widespread recognition of systemic risks but limited contingency planning to safeguard operations.
Persistent Safety Concerns
Depositors express meaningful worry about deposit safety, particularly over the longer term, ranking it as their top concern (74% in top three priorities), ahead of inflation (70%) and cyber risks (65%). While short-term fears have moderated slightly since the immediate post-2023 failure period, long-term unease remains elevated, signaling ongoing anxiety.
Emerging Behaviors and Opportunities
Many leaders are responding proactively: Among those with balances over $250,000, a substantial portion are already diversifying accounts or actively considering strategies to maximize FDIC coverage and enhance safety.
- Safety overwhelmingly drives decisions with 91% of respondents prioritizing confidence in an institution’s financial strength, and most are willing to forgo minimal returns (under 5%) for guaranteed protection. Displaying rates on statements would boost retention, while knowing deposits fund local community loans would make 68% much or somewhat more likely to stay loyal.
- Mid-sized institutions stand out as the preferred “sweet spot,” seen as best equipped to deliver attractive rates (55%) and tailored solutions (48%) while over half (54%) believe community banks offer superior rates compared to large nationals.
Implications for Main Street Depositors
These findings illuminate clear opportunities for greater cash confidence through education and proactive steps. With so many businesses holding large uninsured balances and limited runway in a failure scenario, understanding FDIC limits, diversification options, and safety signals is essential. Greater awareness of insurance mechanics, regular rate comparisons, and alignment with institutions that prioritize both security and competitive yields can meaningfully reduce risks while preserving or improving returns.
Ampersand remains committed to advocating for depositors by delivering research like this that highlights knowledge gaps and practical paths forward.
