Sixty-one percent of high-net-worth Americans said they are better off today than they were before the 2008 recession, according to a survey by BMO Private Bank.

The survey is the second in a series by the bank that examines trends among Americans with investable assets of $1 million or more. Sixty percent of respondents also said they are optimistic about what the future holds for the U.S. economy.

“We’re hearing a renewed sense of optimism when speaking to our clients,” said Terry Jenkins, the president and CEO of BMO Private Bank. “But they’re also aware that the economic situation is quite fragile; they want to ensure, when managing their wealth, that they are insulating themselves as best as possible against any potential market downturns.”

Ninety percent of the respondents are feeling upbeat about their current savings and investment plans. The top two investments this group believes will provide the best opportunity for solid returns in the next five years are equities (75 percent) and real estate (61 percent).

High-net-worth investors are bullish about the technology (80 percent), energy (77 percent) and health (77 percent) sectors.

They are least optimistic about the manufacturing (50 percent), agricultural (46 percent) and mining (33 percent) sectors, according to the survey.

The study also found that high-net-worth respondents have returned to pre-recession spending levels by spending more or the same amount in a variety of different areas, including:

• Entertainment and leisure activities (86 percent)
• Travel and vacations (83 percent)
• Club memberships (81 percent)
• Collections and hobbies (80 percent)
• Clothing and accessories (77 percent)

“This represents an indication of the level of confidence they have in the country and also helps spur further economic growth,” said Jenkins. “While there’s every indication that the national economy has picked up steam in the last few years, it is important to acknowledge the large number of Americans who are still struggling to recover from the effects of the recession -- an ongoing issue that continues to constrain growth.”

The online survey was conducted by Pollara between March 28th and April 11, 2013, with a sample of 482 American adults who have $1 million or more in investable assets.