Middle market and large corporate finance executives on the whole are feeling increasingly optimistic about the economy and capital spending plans, according to a recent survey released by TD Bank.

According to the bank’s fourth annual CFO Survey, almost 60 percent of respondents said they were optimistic about U.S. economic growth this year, compared with 46 percent last year. Half said they expect to increase capital expenditures due to stronger revenue growth, and the top areas for increased spending in the year ahead were technology, 64 percent, existing facilities, 42 percent, and workforce hiring, 40 percent. The percentage of respondents who intend to hire new workers increased nearly 15 percent over last year.

"The increased appetite for capital investments confirms our view that businesses are finding ways to thrive in the ‘new normal’ economy," Greg Braca, executive vice president and head of corporate and specialty banking, said in a statement. "Increased spending at the corporate level bodes well for the long-term acceleration of growth and M&A, with companies recognizing that now is a great time to make a move before interest rates creep higher."

CFOs who said they expect to see revenues rise this year increased 10 percent to 81 percent of all respondents. The majority said they anticipate increases in the 1 to 9 percent range.

Survey respondents also expressed some concerns about the outlook for the U.S. economy, as well as their own companies, including government regulation, 22 percent, competitive environment, 22 percent, political gridlock, 15 percent, and global volatility, 14 percent.

The survey, conducted in March and April by ORC International, questioned a total of 300 executives across the East Coast, including CFOs, comptrollers, treasurers and directors of finance. Three-quarters of respondents worked at companies with annual sales of $50 million to $250 million, and a quarter at companies with annual sales greater than $250 million.