Community Banking News Blog | Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI)

Rural Mainstreet Economy Records Slow Growth for February: Nine of Ten Bankers Gauge Ethanol as Important to Economy

2/20/2023

February 2023 Survey Results at a Glance:

For a third straight month, the region’s overall economic reading hovered slightly above growth neutral, indicating slow growth.
Farmland prices have now advanced for 29 straight months.
Farmers have expanded their purchases of farm equipment for 25 of the past 27 months.
In 2022, the 10-state region accounted for approximately three-fourths of all U.S. ethanol production.
- Roughly 91.3% of bankers with an ethanol plant in their economy indicated that it was an important industry for their local economy.
- Only 7.7% of bankers surveyed have an ethanol plant in their economy and rank it as a relatively unimportant industry in their area.
Approximately 63.0% of bank CEOs support capture and sequestration of CO2 from ethanol plants in their area provided farmers receive adequate compensation for pipelines crossing their farmland.

OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 16, 2023) -- For a third straight month, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above the growth neutral threshold, 50.0, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Overall: The region’s overall reading in February remained above the growth neutral threshold. The February index declined to 50.1 from 53.8 in January. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

Rural Mainstreet Economy Begins 2023 on Solid Note: Bank CEOs Rank Higher Input Prices as Greatest Farm Threat

1/23/2023

January 2023 Survey Results at a Glance:

After six consecutive months of below growth neutral readings, the region’s overall economic reading rose above the growth neutral threshold for a second straight month.
In terms of 2023 threats to farms in their area, bank CEOs ranked higher input prices as the greatest threat, followed by higher interest rates.
In terms of 2023 threats to rural bankers, bank CEOs ranked low loan demand as the greatest threat to rural banks, followed by rising regulatory costs.
Farmland prices continued to expand.
Despite higher interest rates, solid farm income pushed farm equipment sales higher.

OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 19, 2023) -- After six straight months of below growth neutral readings, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above the growth neutral threshold, 50.0, for a second consecutive month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Overall: The region’s overall reading in January rose above the growth neutral threshold. The January index climbed to 53.8 from 50.1 in December. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

2023 CBI Event Dates

1/2/2023

CBI holds and sponsors a number of informative and entertaining events throughout the year, intended to educate our members, provide networking opportunities, raise funds for educational and advocacy efforts, and support the professional development of Iowa's community bankers. Below is a schedule of dates for major CBI events tentatively being held during 2023. This is not an exhaustive list of all future live events, and dates/locations and times are subject to change.

PLEASE REFER TO THE CBI NEWS PAGE OR OTHER CBI PUBLICATIONS FOR THE LATEST INFO.

Community Bank Index (QCBI) State Performance Trends: 2022Q3

11/18/2022

compiled by CBI Endorsed Member QwickRate

STATE OF THE STATE: IA 3rd Quarter 2022
Key industry trends for the "true" community bank.

Click each image to view larger, or download the entire report (PDF, 1MB)

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File Size:	995 kb
File Type:	pdf

LOT Members hold Fall meeting at Kinnick Stadium

9/23/2022

CBI's Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) group members held their Fall Business Meeting at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Guest speaker Alicia Nicoletto from Nyemaster Law updated LOT members on changes to the Uniform Commercial Code, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrency and other issues in digital asset management.

Scott Brickman, EVO/COO of the Swarm Collective NIL presented on that organization's mission and developments in "Name, Image, Likeness" contracts, on the rise after recent NCAA regulation changes regarding college sport player compensations. Brickman explained that an important part of the Collective's purpose is to assist players in the process, and that verifiable, ongoing community service and outreach is required as part of a player's agreement with the Collective.

Community Bank Index (QCBI) State Performance Trends: 2022Q2

8/15/2022

compiled by CBI Endorsed Member QwickRate

STATE OF THE STATE: IA 2nd Quarter 2022
Key industry trends for the "true" community bank.

Click each image to view larger, or download the entire report (PDF, 1MB)

Download Full Report.
File Size:	997 kb
File Type:	pdf

Storey Kenworthy & Workspace still accepting grant applications through Aug. 31

8/15/2022

CBI Endorsed Member Storey Kenworthy & Workspace Foundation for Giving is accepting grant applications from qualified non-profit organizations until Aug. 31, 2022.

Five $5,000 grants will be awarded to selected non-profits whose programming aligns with the core giving priorities:

Abuse & Violence Prevention
Children & Education
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Mental Health Awareness & Services

Additional information about the Storey Kenworthy & Workspace Giving Programs and a grant application is available at www.storeykenworthy.com/community.

The Storey Kenworthy & Workspace family of companies, with 10 locations across Iowa, is a family-owned, independent office supplies and commercial interiors dealership.

CBI Members Take 2nd in Big Boar Contest

8/12/2022

Tim Wolf, president of State Savings Bank in West Des Moines and Paul Kruse, SVP-Iowa Office with PMA Funding are part of the ownership group that took 2nd Place in the Big Boar Contest at the Iowa State Fair yesterday.

Their entry "Purdy Boy", a 6-year-old Chester cross breed shown by the Purdy Boy Partnership of Pleasant Hill, weighed in at 1156 pounds. The 1st Place Boar "Pee-Wee" just edged him out at 1300 lbs.

Purdy Boy will be on display at the Iowa State Fair in the Swine Barns through August 21. Congrats guys!

Purdy Boy waiting his turn in yesterday's
Big Boar Contest at the Iowa State Fair.

Tim Wolf (white shirt on the far right) assists in getting
Purdy Boy on the scale for weighing in.

Community Bank Index (QCBI) State Performance Trends: 2021Q2

8/24/2021

compiled by CBI Endorsed Member QwickRate

STATE OF THE STATE: IA 2nd Quarter 2021
Key industry trends for the "true" community bank.

Download Full Report.
File Size:	989 kb
File Type:	pdf

Click each image to view larger, or download the entire report (PDF, 1MB)

Rural Mainstreet Index Soars to Record High: 90% of Bankers Report Labor Shortages Restraining Growth

5/24/2021

May Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index rocketed to a record high.
Approximately, 60.6% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy expanded between April and May.
Almost nine of 10 bank CEOs indicated that hiring at their bank and in the area was restraining growth.
For the first time since 2013, the regional farmland prices expanded for eight straight months.
On average, bankers reported annual cash rent per acre of $228, which represented growth of 7.3% over the past 12 months.

OMAHA, Neb. (May 20, 2021) – For the sixth straight month, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Overall: The overall index for May jumped to a record high of 78.8 from April’s very healthy 69.0. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

Approximately, 60.6% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy expanded between April and May.