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

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.

Rural Mainstreet on Strong Growth Path: Farmland Prices Expanding Rapidly

4/19/2021

April Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index dipped but remained in strong growth territory from March’s record high.
The farmland price index advanced its highest level since November 2012.
The farm equipment-sales index rose to its highest reading since February 2013.
Housing index soars to record level with bids above listing prices.
Lack of available workers is restraining job growth.
Approximately 9.1% of farmland sales over past six months have gone to nonfarmer investors.
Fully 100% of bank CEOs indicated that export markets were important, or very important, to their local economy.

OMAHA, Neb. (April 15, 2021) – For the fifth 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 April slipped to a still healthy 69.0 from a record high 71.9 in March. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Approximately, 37.9% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy expanded between March and April.

Rural Mainstreet Index Rockets to Record High: More Than Two-Thirds of Bankers Reported Expanding Local Economy

3/23/2021

March Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index rocketed to a record high for the month.
Approximately, 68.8% of bank CEOs reported an expanding local economy, while the remaining 31.2% indicated little or no growth.
The farmland price index advanced its highest level since November 2012.
The farm equipment-sales index rose to its highest reading since February 2013.
Approximately 82.8% of bank CEOs recommended that the Federal Reserve raise interest rates by at least one-fourth of one percentage point in the next 12 months.
Despite recent job gains, the region’s nonfarm employment level remains 218,600 jobs below its pre-COVID-19 level.

For the fifth time in the past six months, 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, the index increased to its highest level since launching the survey in January 2006.

Overall: The overall index for March soared to a record high 71.9 from February’s solid 53.8. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

Approximately, 68.8% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy was expanding, while the remaining 31.2% indicated little or no growth.

“Sharp gains in grain prices, federal farm support, and the Federal Reserve’s record-low interest rates have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy. Only 3.1% of bank CEOs indicated economic conditions worsened from the previous month. Even so, current rural economic activity remains below pre-pandemic levels,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Rural Mainstreet Economy Expands Again: Economic Outlook Soars to Highest Level since 2011

2/22/2021

February Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index rose to its highest reading since January 2020.
Business and economic outlook soared to its highest level since March 2011.
Bank CEOs estimated 2021 cash land rent for non-irrigated, non-pastureland at $218.
Rural Mainstreet retail sales remain very weak.
The February farmland price index climbed to its highest level since May 2013.
Bankers expect farm equipment sales to expand by 3.8% over the next 12 months.

OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 18, 2021) – For the fourth time in the past five months, 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, the index increased to its highest level since January 2020.

Overall: The overall index for February rose to 53.8 from January’s 52.0. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Sharp gains in grain prices, federal farm support, and the Federal Reserve’s record-low interest rates have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy. Only 8% of bank CEOs indicated economic conditions worsened from the previous month. Even so, current rural economic activity remains below pre-pandemic levels,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Rural Mainstreet Economy Stabilizes in Growth Range: Concerns Over Loan Defaults Drops Significantly

2/1/2021

January Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index rose to its second highest reading since before COVID-19.
Bankers biggest economic concerns for 2021 are excessive inflation and higher long-term interest rates.
For the first time since 2013, Creighton’s survey has recorded four straight months of above growth-neutral farmland prices.
Farm equipment-sales index rose to its highest reading since April 2013.
Approximately 44% of bank CEOs expect low loan demand to be the greatest issue facing their banks for 2021, up from 7% last year at this time.
Only 4% of bankers indicated that rising loan defaults and bankruptcies represented their greatest concern for 2021, down significantly from the 32% in 2020 survey.

OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 21, 2021) – For the third time in the past four months, 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, the index increased to its second highest level since January 2020.

Overall: The overall index for January rose to 52.0 from December’s 51.6. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Recent sharp improvements in agriculture commodity prices, federal farm support payments, and Federal Reserve’s record low short-term interest rates have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy in a solid and positive growth range. However, the rural economy remains well below pre-pandemic levels,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Rural Mainstreet Farmland Prices Show Strongest Growth Since 2013: Farm Equipment Sales Highest Since June 2013

1/4/2021

December Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index rose to its second highest reading in the past 10 months.
For the first time since June 2013, the farm equipment-sales index rose above growth neutral.
For the first time since 2013, the farmland price index rose above growth neutral for three straight months.
Bankers ranked water availability as the top 2021 farm economy issue; farm labor cost/availability was ranked as the second biggest issue or concern.
Among 10 farm concerns for 2021, farm income and farm liquidity were the two issues of least concern. Growth in agriculture income pulled farmer borrowing down for a second straight month.

OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 17, 2020) – For the second time in the past three months, 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, the index increased to its second highest level in the past 10 months.

Overall: The overall index for December rose to 51.6 from November’s 46.8, but was down from October’s 53.2. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Recent improvements in agriculture commodity prices, federal farm support payments, and the Federal Reserve’s record low interest rates have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

November Rural Mainstreet Index Rises to Highest Reading for 2019: Bankers Expect Holiday Sales to Grow by only 1.3% from 2018

11/25/2019

November Survey Results at a Glance:

Overall index climbs to highest reading for 2019. It also marked the fourth time in the past five months that the overall index has risen above growth neutral.
The trade war with China and the lack of passage of the USMCA are driving confidence and the economic outlook lower for most areas of the region.
On average, bankers, expect a 1.3% expansion with 17.1% of bank CEOs anticipating a decline in retail sales from last year.
Bankers reported that approximately 16.7% of farmers and 5.5% of business owners in their area had no organization succession plan.

OMAHA, Neb. (Nov. 21, 2019) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for November climbed above growth neutral for the fourth time in the past five months, 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 rose to 54.2 from 51.4 in October. Although still tepid, this is the highest reading for 2019. It also marked the fourth time in the past five months that the overall index rose above growth neutral.

“Federal agriculture crop support payments and somewhat higher grain prices have boosted the Rural Mainstreet Index slightly above growth neutral for the month. Given a continued weak rural economy, bank CEOs, on average, expect holiday buying to increase by only 1.3% above last year’s levels,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Jeff Bonnett, president of Havana National Bank in Havana, Illinois, reported that, “The latest harvests are showing significant declines in test weights leading to the point that 2019 harvest production looks to be running below average.” Bonnett goes on to say that grain prices are still sitting at extremely low levels for such yields.

Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for November increased slightly to a weak 40.4 from October’s 40.3. This is the 72nd straight month the index has remained below growth neutral 50.0.

The November farm equipment-sales index declined to 37.5 from October’s 39.7. This marks the 74th month the reading has remained below growth neutral 50.0.

October Rural Mainstreet Index Climbs Again: Trade War and Stalled USMCA Batters Economic Confidence

10/21/2019

October Survey Results at a Glance:

After falling below growth neutral in August, the Rural Mainstreet Index jumped slightly above 50.0 for September and October.
Bank CEOs across the region reported significantly lower corn and soybean yields.
Economic confidence fell to lowest level in two years.
Almost three of four bankers reported negative impacts from the trade war.
Approximately 43% of bankers support halting Federal Reserve rate hikes over the next 12 months.

OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 17, 2019) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for October 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 rose to 51.4 from 50.1 in September. Although still weak, this is the highest reading since June of this year. It also marked the third time in the past four months that the overall index has risen above growth neutral.

“Federal agriculture crop support payments and somewhat higher grain prices have boosted the Rural Mainstreet Index slightly above growth neutral for the month. Even so, almost three of four bank CEOs, or 73%, reported continuing negative impacts from the trade war,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

But as stated by Jim Stanosheck, CEO of State Bank in Odell, Nebraska, “What is happening in the economy today is exactly what voters voted for.”

Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for October slumped to a weak 40.3 from September’s 43.1. This is the lowest reading since March of this year and the 71st straight month that the index has remained below growth neutral 50.0.

Jeff Bonnett, president of Havana National Bank in Havana Illinois, said, “Hopefully the true corn acres planted, and more importantly, overall yields will be made public here soon now that we are well into harvesting this year's crop. I am not sure why this is such a secret and why we do not get more accurate information based upon certification of acres planted back in July?”

The October farm equipment-sales index improved to 39.7 from September’s 35.9. This is the highest reading for the index since June of this year, but marks the 73rd month that the reading has remained below growth neutral 50.0.

September Rural Mainstreet Index Bounces Back Above Growth Neutral: Four of 10 Bankers Report Recessionary Conditions

9/23/2019

September Survey Results at a Glance:

After falling below growth neutral for August the Rural Mainstreet Index jumped slightly above the 50.0 reading for September.
More than four in 10 bank CEOs report that their local economy is in a recession.
As a result of continuing weakness in the farm sector, more than half of bankers reported increasing collateral for farm loans, and one in four rejected a higher percent of farm loan applications.
Bankers expect farm equipment sales in their area to decline by another 7.4% over the next 12 months.

OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 19, 2019) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for September 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 rose to 50.1 from 46.5 in August. This marks the third time in the past five months that the overall index has risen above growth neutral.

The trade war with China and the lack of passage of the USMCA (NAFTA’s replacement) are driving confidence and growth lower for most areas of the region.

“Despite a $16 billion federal government support package this year and somewhat stronger grain prices, more than four in 10 bankers are reporting that their local economy is in a recession,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

As reported by Dale L. Leighty, chairman and CEO at First National Bank of Las Animas, Colorado, “Grain prices are (still) a big negative for our customers.”

Rural Mainstreet Index Drops to Lowest Level in Two Years: Trade War Having Negative Impacts

8/19/2019

August Survey Results at a Glance:

The Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral to its lowest level in almost two year.
Three of four bank CEOs reported the trade war was having a negative impact on their local economy.
Seven of 10 bankers support continuing, or even raising tariffs on imported Chinese goods.
Despite worsening economic conditions on the farm, bankers expect only a modest 4% rate of farm loan defaults over the next year.
Business confidence index plummeted to its lowest level since October 2017.

OMAHA, Neb. (Aug. 15, 2019) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) fell below growth neutral for the only the second time this year. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the RMI for August indicated negative growth for the region.

Overall: The overall index slumped to 46.5 from 50.2 in July. This is the lowest reading for the index since October 2017. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, and an RMI below the growth neutral threshold. 50.0, indicates negative growth for the month.

“The trade war with China and the lack of passage of the USMCA (NAFTA’s replacement) are driving growth lower for areas of the region with close ties to agriculture. Despite a $16 billion federal government support package coming soon, a drop in farm income is negatively affecting the Rural Mainstreet Economy,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Three of four bankers reported the trade war was having a negative impact on their local economy.

As stated by Jeffrey Gerhart, CEO of the Bank of Newman Grove in Newman Grove, Nebraska, “Trade wars have been and will continue to be a drain on our ag economy”.

“Despite the negative impact of tariffs and the trade war, only 28.2% of bankers support cutting tariffs on imported goods from China,” said Goss.

Rod Cornelius, market president for Pinnacle Bank in Grand Island, Nebraska reported, “I quickly surveyed 12 local producers, a majority indicated (U.S. should) increase tariff pressure - go big or go home. Although the majority again indicated the tariffs are negatively impacting the local economy.”