But even if regulatory concerns dominated their minds, the majority of executives held their positive expectations for economic conditions and their own business revenues and employment for 2012 -- with 57% saying their bank's current revenue is higher than last year, and 70% anticipating higher revenue next year. Overall, 56% see an overall improved economy, with 41% planning to add personnel.

The long-term caution is reflected in their feelings about when a full economic recovery will come, with 61% percent expecting that recovery to come by the end of 2013 or 2014, or even later. Asked when they expect their own company's domestic employment to return to pre-recession levels, 41% say that likely will happen now earlier than 2013, while 23% say that already has happened, or is expected to by this time next year. it already had or by this time next year, with Another 24% said they didn't believe U.S. headcount would ever reach pre-recession levels at their institutions.

Added Anzevino: "Banking leaders see things moving in the right direction, but they understand how the general economy impacts their business and they have their work cut out for them in terms of developing sustainable and profitable growth."