Bankers say economy remains weak in rural parts of 10 states

A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests the economy remains weak in those areas as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect the region.

The overall economic index for the region more than doubled to 37.9 in June from May's 12.5, but it remained at a weak level. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy, survey organizers say.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said crop prices remain low, and more than one-third of the bankers survey expect that to be a significant challenge over the next year. Only 3% of bankers reported economic growth in their areas.

The bankers' outlook for the economy remains negative, but the confidence index improved in June to 43.8 from May's 22.1.

"Weak agriculture commodity prices, and layoffs have decimated economic confidence among bankers," Goss said.

But job growth exceeded layoffs in rural areas as more businesses reopened. The hiring index jumped to 51.5 in June from May's 17.1, but employment remains well below what it was before the coronavirus outbreak began.

Bankers from Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.