From Creighton University's Heider College of Business, September 16:
September Survey Results at a Glance:
- Overall index declined for the fourth straight month, but remained in a range indicating slower, but positive, growth for the next several months.
- Farmland price index soared to a record high.
- More than eight of 10 bankers expect the stepped-up basis portion of President Biden’s $3.5 trillion bill to have a negative impact on the Rural Mainstreet economy.
- Almost two-thirds of Bank CEOs expect the Federal Reserve to begin reducing their bond buying stimulus before the end of 2021.
- More than half of bankers reported that the negatives from Covid-19 expanded in September.
- Growth among the 10 states from top to bottom were: Minnesota (tops), Illinois, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri (bottom).
OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 16, 2021) – For the 10th straight month, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) remained 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: For the fourth straight month, the overall index dropped. The September reading of 62.5 was down from August’s 65.3. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.
Approximately, 35.7% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy expanded between August and September.
“Solid grain prices, the Federal Reserve’s record-low interest rates, and growing exports have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy. USDA data show that 2021 year-to-date agriculture exports are more than 27.6% above that for the same period in 2020. This has been an important factor supporting the Rural Mainstreet economy,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.
“More than eight of 10 bankers expect, if implemented, the stepped-up basis portion of President Biden’s $3.5 trillion bill before Congress to have a negative impact on the Rural Mainstreet economy,” said Goss.
According to Don Vogel, CEO of Farmers National Bank in Sterling, Illinois, “The loss of stepped-up basis is a significant issue as it relates to farmland being passed on to the next generation.” However, he goes on to say that “If the next generation is going to farm the ground, what the basis is does not matter.” He contends that it is more of an issue for investors.
However, Jeff Bonnett, president of Havana National Bank in Havana, Illinois. was less optimistic saying that, “The stepped-up basis for inherited assets (farmland) is critical to the preservation of the family farm. If approved this will be a game changer for family farms. This proposal will also impact any family-owned small business (Main Street vs Wall Street) that also has the goal of passing on their business to the next generation.”
Farming and ranching: The region’s farmland price index advanced above growth neutral for a 12th straight month to a record high 85.2 from August’s very strong 76.6.
The September farm equipment-sales index climbed to 66.0 from 64.7 in August. Readings over the last several months represent the strongest consistent growth since 2012.
Banking: The September loan volume index rose to 58.9 from August’s 53.0. The checking-deposit index sank to 58.8 from August’s 68.8, while the index for certificates of deposit, and other savings instruments increased to a weak 37.5 from 34.4 in August.
Almost two-thirds, or 64.3%, of bankers expect the Federal Reserve to begin reducing their economically stimulative monthly bond purchases before the end of 2021. “I expect this pullback in monthly purchases to push long term interest rates slightly higher in the fourth quarter of 2021,” said Goss.
Hiring: The new hiring index slipped to a strong 67.9 from 70.3 in August. However, labor shortages continue to be a significant issue for Rural Mainstreet businesses....
....MUCH MORE
