Survey of rural bankers shows confidence still high

Creighton University chart compares current month to last month and year ago; click here for the full report.

Creighton University's April survey of rural bankers in 10 heartland states that rely on farming and energy showed continued optimism for the economy, with nearly 38 percent of bank CEOs surveyed reporting an expanding local economy between March and April. The farmland price index advanced its highest level since November 2012, while the farm equipment-sales index rose to its highest reading since February 2013. The housing index, meanwhile, hit a record high that reflects the nationwide housing crunch, Creighton University economist Ernie Goss reports. Though the overall economic confidence index dipped from last month's record-high 71.9 to 69, the outlook is still well above growth-neutral. The index is a survey of bankers in about 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300 in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Read more here.