This is FTI's fourth annual lender survey— which was fielded against the backdrop of a 40-year high for inflation, increasing stock market volatility, and escalating tensions with Russia over Ukraine. It is also our third survey since COVID-19 hit the U.S. Last year's survey took place against the backdrop of near-peak COVID-related deaths, an aggressive COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the U.S. and a third major COVID-19 relief bill being passed by Congress.
This year's survey was polled just as the Omicron variant had peaked, and largely reflects expectations that COVID-19 is now endemic.