Goldman Sachs's chairman and chief executive has told the firm's shareholders he sees signs that economic growth is accelerating, evidence that should improve conditions for many of the Wall Street firm’s businesses.

Federal Reserve officials recently indicated that the US central bank could raise interest rates sooner than the market expects, and "underlining that is the feeling that the economy is starting to accelerate at a faster rate", Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman's top executive, said on May 20 during Goldman's annual shareholders meeting in Jersey City, New Jersey.