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Wisconsin Bankers Optimistic About Economic Growth In 2017

Survey Shows A Majority Expect Bullish New Year

By
Richard Drew/AP Photo

Wisconsin bankers are optimistic the state’s economy will grow in the first half of 2017. In the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s latest Economic Conditions Survey, 57 percent of respondents said they expect the economy to grow at the start of the new year. It’s the first time since 2014 a majority of bankers expected growth for the state’s economy.

Those expectations are based on strong demand for loans through 2016 and what bankers are seeing in their customers, according to Rose Oswald Poels, the association’s president and CEO.

“Bankers are seeing a lot of optimism from their customers, both individual and business customers. We’re seeing loan demand continue at a very strong and healthy pace in Wisconsin, which is really a key indicator that our state’s economy continues to do better,” she said.

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Oswald Poels said business owners and consumers are feeling more confident about the direction and stability of the state’s economy and many bankers are hoping for business-friendly policies from President-elect Donald Trump.

“Health care and tax reform are probably two of his leading priorities, which we’re hoping are beneficial to business and banks,” she said. “We also expect regulatory relief to be a priority and working with the administration to make sure that that’s something that’s positive both for the banking industry and our consumers.”

Seventy-six percent of the survey respondents characterized Wisconsin’s current economic conditions as good or excellent.