Economic confidence of rural Midwest bankers shaken; North Dakota outlook…

Rural bankers' confidence about the economy in the 10-state Midwest and Plains region is at its lowest level in nearly two decades. A monthly Creighton University economic survey in the region in November found that high interest rates, deposit outflows and a slowing farm economy continue to be concerns in the rural banking community. "(The) reading is the most negative outlook recorded since Creighton began the monthly survey in January 2006," said university economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the Rural Mainstreet survey. "Approximately 57.7% of bankers expect economic conditions to worsen in the next six months." The survey's…