More Than 3 of 5 Bankers Report Negatives from Trade Skirmishes

For a sixth straight month the overall index rose above growth neutral.  Almost one-third of bank CEOs recommended that the Federal Reserve leave short-term interest rates at their current levels for the rest of the year. More than three of five, or 78 percent, of bank CEOs reported that current trade skirmishes and rising tariffs have had a negative impact on their local economy. Approximately 75.6 percent of bankers reported negative impacts of trade rifts and tariffs on grain farmers in their area. Economic confidence plummeted among bankers for the month.