Small business owners have more confidence in their local economy than the national economy, according to the inaugural Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, a semi-annual study exploring the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners across the country. When asked about the next 12 months, 42 percent expects their own local economic conditions to improve compared to 35 percent who expects the national economy will improve.

The survey also found managing the ongoing success of their business creates more stress for small business owners than any other aspect of their lives.

Maintaining a small business causes small business owners twice as much stress as …