Sunday penalty rates, banking regulation and the looming Trump presidency are some of the top order issues for business leaders heading into the new year.

Fairfax Media surveyed executives and directors from some of the nation's biggest companies at the annual Couta Boat Classic sailing regatta at Sorrento on Wednesday on some of the pressing issues for the year ahead.

JB Hi-Fi chief executive Richard Murray wants Sunday wages "aligned" with Saturdays. Credit:Pat Scala

Penalty rates was identified by many as an area ripe for reform ahead of a landmark Fair Work Commission ruling on the issue expected in coming weeks on whether Sunday rates should be brought into line with Saturday in the hospitality and retail sectors.

"From our perspective we're happy to pay penalty rates, we probably just see that Saturday and Sunday are more aligned," said JB-Hifi chief executive Richard Murray, who said his company hit $1 million in sales at a single store on Boxing Day.