Edited release
08/21/26
According to the August survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region including Iowa dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed slightly above growth neutral for only the second time in the past six months.
Readings range between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.
The region’s overall reading for August rose to 50.3 from 42.1 in July.
For the 36th straight month, the farm equipment sales index fell below growth neutral. Approximately, 47.5% of bankers expect farm income to decline in the next 12 months.
In Iowa, the Index increased to 46.2, from 41.4 in July. The greatest upturn in Iowa ag exports were to Japan, with a 24.5 % gain compared to last year.
Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, the Dakotas and Wyoming are also part of the Rural Mainstreet Index. Details are available at creighton.edu.