Half of the bank CEOs who responded to a recent survey by the Wisconsin Bankers Association expect Wisconsin’s economy to grow over the next six months.
The Bank CEO Economic Conditions Survey also showed respondents have seen continued demand for business loans and a less volatile housing industry.
“Because of their role as partners with local businesses and their communities, bankers have a very focused perspective on the economy,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “The fact that banks are seeing fewer past due payments and modest growth in business loan demand signals Wisconsin’s economy is stabilizing.
“While loan demand is not booming by any means, we are seeing increased optimism from businesses and banks regarding economic conditions. One in five of the bankers who responded said they expect businesses within their market area to hire employees in the next six months.”
In a January survey, 52 percent of CEOs said business loan demand was “poor,” while only 23 percent had the same response in the new survey.
The results indicate more bankers are confident in the state’s economy, though it still has a long way to go, Oswald Poels said.
