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Regional Outlook

Regional Perspectives Atlanta Regional Perspectives A Recovery in Some Atlanta Region Commercial Real Estate Markets Remains Constrained by Weak Economic Growth The recent recession was particularly problematic for commercial real estate (CRE) markets in the Atlanta Region. The subsequent "jobless" recovery has contributed to low absorption rates that have prevented some markets from rebounding. This article examines CRE market conditions by property type in the Region's major metropolitan areas, evaluates levels of community bank exposure to CRE lending, and identifies areas where prolonged weak economic growth and market downturns have resulted in CRE asset quality deterioration. Office Markets Have Been Hit Hard by the Recent Recession The recent recession adversely affected office real estate markets in the Atlanta Region. Unlike past economic downturns, net absorption rates turned negative in many areas as layoffs disproportionately affected salaried office workers. Simultaneously, new space remained in the construction pipeline because of developers' prior expectations of continued economic growth. Subsequently, market conditions in many instances deteriorated rapidly as vacancy rates rose significantly (see Chart 1). Some metropolitan areas that previously had been characterized as tight markets suddenly faced the prospect of double-digit vacancy rates. Until recently, low interest rates had helped support market values; however, as leases expire and rent appreciation remains weak owing to continued fragile economic growth, these markets may come under pressure. During first quarter 2003, office market values declined nationwide.1 Widespread deterioration in fundamentals continued to occur in the Region's major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) as office employment growth remained lackluster in the face of further layoffs, and as space offered for sublease continued to inflate vacancy rates. Chart 1 [D] Office markets in metropolitan areas that are home to large concentrations of high-tech employment (Atlanta, Raleigh, Northern Virginia) generally experienced the greatest deterioration. The Raleigh and Atlanta MSAs reported the Region's highest office vacancy rates in first quarter 2003, while rates in Atlanta and Northern Virginia have more than doubled during the past few years. Some submarket vacancy rates in Raleigh and Northern Virginia recently have spiralled to above 30 percent.2 Though submarket vacancies in Atlanta have yet to reach that level, some local developers speculate that the downturn in the local office market may be the worst in nearly three decades.3 In contrast, vacancy rates in office markets characterized by significant back office operations and call centers, such as Tampa, have declined during the year ending first quarter 2003. Industrial Real Estate Market Conditions Continued to Weaken in Early 2003 Industrial real estate market conditions in the Atlanta Region began to deteriorate with the onset of the recent recession as employment in manufacturing, wholesale trade, and high-tech industries started to erode. Average vacancy rates in all major regional markets have increased significantly. This trend was particularly evident in Atlanta, as net absorption rates turned negative even as new completions continued. Job losses in the nation's manufacturing sector did moderate in late 2002; however, by early 2003, the sector, particularly among high-tech industries, weakened again. As a result, the Region's industrial markets experienced negative net absorption (see Chart 2) at levels rivaling those at the beginning of the recent recession. Nonetheless, vacancy rate increases were not as great as during the onset of the recent recession, as completions were much lower.4 Continued job losses in manufacturing likely will forestall a rapid recovery in the Region's industrial real estate markets. Chart 2 [D] Retail Real Estate Has Outperformed Other Commercial Real Estate Types in Several Atlanta Region Markets Retail real estate generally has outperformed other market types during and following the recent recession. Typically, during an economic downturn, retail real estate is pressured by declines in consumption as incomes fall and consumers attempt to reduce debt. In the recent downturn, however, consumer spending remained strong and debt levels increased, supporting growth in the retail real estate market. However, prolonged weak job growth, the potential for a retrenchment in consumer spending, and the risk of a "double-dip" recession may increase the vulnerability of this market type going forward. Following the recent recession, rent appreciation in the Orlando and Miami MSAs declined significantly as domestic and international visitor spending cooled retail markets. Subsequently, however, rents have appreciated strongly in most of the Region's retail real estate markets (see Chart 3). Rental rates in the Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, and Tampa MSAs have deviated from this pattern during the past year, a trend that in part may be due to continued market space expansion. Since 1999, total retail stock in the Tampa metro area has increased more than 10 percent, nearly twice the growth rate of major markets nationally. Year-to-date third quarter 2002 new space construction in the Jacksonville metro area was up more than 120 percent from the previous year. Such supply increases prompted one investment bank earlier this year to characterize this MSA as having the greatest vulnerability to oversupply in the state.5 Chart 3 [D] Hotel Markets Continued to Struggle in Early 2003 The recent recession had a chilling effect on the Atlanta Region hotel industry, as tourism and convention business declined significantly. Double-digit year-ago declines occurred in revenue per available room (RevPAR) in all major markets except Columbia, by fourth quarter 2001 as occupancy and room rates fell substantially. This trend was particularly evident in the Orlando and Atlanta MSAs, where the tourism and convention businesses are essential components of the local economy. By late 2002, the tourism industry was showing signs of an emerging recovery, allowing RevPAR to rebound from the lows of the previous year. However, in early 2003 the looming military campaign in Iraq and apparent weakening economic growth dealt another round of setbacks to the tourism industry. As Chart 4 shows, RevPAR declined from a year earlier in all major markets except Fort Lauderdale, Washington, DC, and Miami for full- and limited-service hotels during first quarter 2003. The events of early 2003 highlight the vulnerability of the hotel real estate market to economic and geopolitical uncertainties that could continue to pressure any further near-term recovery. Many analysts consider the hotel sector the property class most likely to experience defaults.6 Limited-service properties operated by independent owners appear more vulnerable to default than full-service properties and chains operated by large corporate owners.7 Chart 4 [D] Weak Economic Growth, Continued Construction, and an Increase in Home Ownership Have Pressured Multifamily Markets The "jobless" recovery and record levels of home ownership brought about by low interest rates have contributed to rising apartment vacancies (see Chart 5), while new construction continues to inflate multifamily stock in the Atlanta Region. Rental vacancies have increased across the Region during the past two years, while rent inflation remains below the U.S. average in all areas except the Miami and Washington, DC, MSAs. Nominal rents declined during the year ending fourth quarter 2002 in the Charlotte, Greensboro, and Atlanta metro areas. Persistent low rent inflation across the Region could constrain cash flows for property owners and, as a result, adversely affect their credit quality. Chart 5 [D] CRE Lenders Have Performed Well, but Caution Is Warranted CRE lenders in the Region have performed fairly well throughout this cycle. Profitability has remained solid while capital levels and reserves have held steady.8 Despite this positive performance, modest signs of asset quality weakness have emerged. Total noncurrent loans have risen in each of the past two 12-month periods ending March 31, 2003, driven primarily by deterioration in commercial and industrial, construction and development, and 1- to 4-family loans. Noncurrent nonresidential loan levels also have increased moderately. Nevertheless, 34 percent of CRE lenders reported an increase in noncurrent CRE loan levels at March 31, 2003, compared to only 28 percent a year earlier. In the Atlanta Region, community institutions are the primary funding source of nonresidential real estate loans.9 In fact, median CRE exposure among community banks in major CRE markets was 21 percent as of March 31, 2003, 6 percentage points higher than the median CRE exposure among mid-tier banks in these same markets.10 However, community banks headquartered in areas such as Atlanta, Raleigh, and Miami, where office vacancy rates have risen by at least 7 percentage points during the past year, have reported a significant divergence in asset performance. Community banks based in the Atlanta MSA reported a noticeable increase of 52 basis points (to 0.94 percent) in noncurrent CRE loans during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2003. This compares to 0.73 percent among all CRE lenders across the Region. The exposure of the Atlanta MSA to industries that have been hard hit during the past 18 months, such as technology, telecom, and tourism, increases the vulnerability of institutions headquartered there to rising office vacancy rates. In addition, a study conducted by Smith Barney suggests that community banks based in the Atlanta area are niche lenders to limited-service hotels.11 Given the pressure on the travel industry, hotels are considered the weakest property class in the study. A significant exposure to this industry segment may contribute to further credit quality weakness. Because Call Report data do not allow for separation of loans by property type, it is difficult to discern the level of bank and thrift industry exposure to the hotel sector. By contrast, despite noticeable increases in office vacancy rates, community banks headquartered in the Raleigh and Miami MSAs have reported improving CRE asset quality. The ratio of noncurrent nonresidential loans held by community banks in each of these MSAs declined during the 12 months ending March 31, 2003, to roughly 0.22 percent. Nonresidential loans in both areas have surged during the past two years. CRE loans as a percentage of total loans have risen approximately 28 percentage points, to 48 percent among banks based in the Raleigh MSA. This ratio increased almost 12 percentage points among banks based in the Miami MSA, to roughly 51 percent. Regionally, CRE loan portfolios grew just under 7 percentage points during this period to 44 percent of total loans. According to Torto Wheaton Research, forecasts calling for steady increases in office employment during each of the next six years may be fueling growth in CRE loan levels.12 However, at year-end March 31, 2003, a robust pace of loan growth may have masked higher past-due loan amounts. Management of insured institutions should be aware that deterioration in asset quality often lags the business cycle, so lenders should monitor concentration levels carefully in the near term. Job creation is expected to remain stagnant until business investment and economic growth accelerate. As a result, capital levels may be vulnerable among community banks headquartered in areas with significantly higher vacancy rates and CRE exposures, such as the Atlanta, Raleigh, and Miami MSAs. Continued economic weakness could contribute to an increase in office foreclosures and higher charge-offs among local institutions. Perspectives from the FDIC Regional Director  In the past few years, examinations of banks with concentrations of commercial real estate (CRE) have generally reflected sound risk management practices and overall satisfactory conditions. Nevertheless, the macro trends cited in the accompanying article, particularly with regard to the office market, prompted the Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection to initiate a CRE credit risk analysis pilot program in January 2003. The purpose of the pilot was to gather significantly more CRE lending data than are available from call reports and briefly to assess risk management in Atlanta-area banks with large CRE concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-supervised banks continue to avoid high concentrations in the types of CRE loans identified as primarily susceptible to declining market conditions (i.e., office, industrial, retail, hotel, and multifamily). As a general rule, the banks included in the program were focused on the development and construction of residential properties, a market that remains relatively strong. Further, banks are well aware of CRE lending risks and are managing those risks in a satisfactory manner. As analysis of the pilot program data is completed, additional information will be presented. It is also likely that, as part of our ongoing supervisory efforts, the program will be expanded to other geographic areas that exhibit considerable stress in CRE markets. Mark S. Schmidt Regional Director Atlanta, Georgia Conclusion Thus far, the Region has experienced no significant deterioration in CRE property values. Falling capitalization rates and robust investor demand have supported prices. Low interest rates and cost-cutting measures also have allowed many owners to break even at lower occupancy rates. In cases where cash flow has been negative, anecdotal reports indicate that owners have been able to sell the property for more than the debt outstanding. The ability of property owners to sell in order to repay debt may diminish should property values weaken. Property valuations could soften if fundamentals continue to erode. Property cash flow, particularly in the office sector, will be reduced as expiring leases reprice downward. Also, technology may lower the demand for office space and lead to lower rental rates. Computer servers have greater capacity but are physically smaller and require less square footage than they did even five years ago. Electronic storage costs continue to fall, allowing firms to migrate from paper document retention systems, which lessens the need for file room. Improvements in telecommunications have allowed many firms to outsource work to remote locations, reducing their need for space. The recent productivity gains from computing technologies, if sustained, will likely reduce the demand for office employment. These factors imply that occupancy rates may be lower going forward. Lower occupancy rates suggest that rental growth rates will be much slower in the next expansionary cycle than the last. A reduction in cash flow from these structural and cyclical forces—reduced occupancy rates and slower rent growth—would offset low capitalization rates and likely lead to lower valuations. In the current cycle, rising property values have contributed to generally strong CRE loan performance among insured institutions. Therefore, going forward, market participants should monitor property valuations for signs that any of the key fundamentals are weakening. Atlanta Staff 1 Dean Starkman, "Property Values Finally Decline With Office Space Falling 1.7%," Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2003. 2 Northern Virginia submarkets: Herndon and Sterling. Raleigh submarkets: Cary, Glenwood/Creedmoor, Northeast Wake County. 3 Jarred Schenke, "Developer: Atlanta Office Recession May Rival '73-'75," Atlanta Business Chronicle, March 21, 2003. 4 Average vacancy rates in the Washington, DC, Fort Lauderdale, and Raleigh MSAs declined modestly in first quarter 2003 from a year earlier. 5 Gregory Richards, "Is City Building Its Way into a Retail Space Glut?" Florida Times-Union, April 4, 2003. 6 "CRE Losses Likely to Be Modest in this Cycle," Citigroup Smith Barney: Equity Research Banks, June 3, 2003. 7 Peter Henderson, "Hotel Industry Sees Downturn Moving Deals," Reuters, June 5, 2003; Barbara DeLollis, "Hotels Upgrade Freebies to Fill Empty Rooms; Meals, Sweepstakes Offered," USA Today, July 8, 2003. 8 For purposes of this analysis, CRE lenders hold at least 25 percent of assets in nonresidential real estate loans. 9 Community banks hold assets less than $1 billion and exclude de novos and specialty institutions. 10 Major CRE markets in the Atlanta Region are Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. 11 "CRE Exposure for the Banking Industry," Smith Barney: Bank Weekly, March 4, 2003. 12 TWR Office Outlook, Spring 2003.   Chicago Regional Perspectives Improved Security Is Vital as Information Technology Grows More Complex Perhaps no area of banking has changed as significantly during the past ten years as information technology (IT). For instance, insured institutions increasingly have made banking services and data available to customers through automatic teller machines (ATMs) and transactional websites. The complexity of maintaining a secure IT environment undoubtedly will increase as banks continue to enhance technological capabilities and delivery channels. At the same time, attacks on IT systems are increasing. Every day, new vulnerabilities, labeled with such arcane names as denial of service attacks, buffer overflow attacks, and session hijacking, are reported nationwide.1 Experts estimate that the number of attacks in 2003 will be twice that in 2002. The results of a recent Computer Security Institute/Federal Bureau of Investigation (CSI/FBI) survey showed that the vast majority of companies polled had experienced some type of attack in the past 12 months, many resulting in substantial financial losses.2 The growing complexity of the IT environment and the potential for substantial monetary losses increase the importance of IT security. Vulnerability to security breaches has been heightened as a weak economy during the last few years may have pressured IT budgets. In an effort to cut costs, the outsourcing component of IT budgets may grow the most; however, the decision to outsource brings with it particular concerns.3 In addition, merger activity raises many IT issues, as complex networks must be coordinated or combined. IT Security Breaches Present Substantial Risks for Insured Institutions The potential damage from security breaches is not only monetary. Although the potential for massive fraud exists if adequate controls are not in place, the impact from lost data or a tarnished reputation is hard to overestimate. While difficult to quantify, an insured institution's reputation is critical to many customers, who expect their confidential financial information to be secure. There are several sources of regulatory guidance for insured institutions on safeguarding consumer data and best practices for IT security.4 The increased use of Internet-connected systems poses substantial vulnerability for bank-owned systems and data. In fact, the CSI/FBI survey reports that Internet connections are becoming an increasingly frequent point of attack. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has cautioned banks that maintain computer networks connected to the Internet to be aware that such connections may pose risks to their information assets and to ensure that their staff or service providers perform regular reviews of security. Technology Facilitates Retail Delivery of Banking Services and Bolsters Bank Productivity During the past decade, many relatively new technologies have become increasingly common, even among smaller, community institutions. Banks are opening their networks to provide enhanced services to customers through telephone banking, ATMs, and transactional websites. The importance of these electronic distribution mechanisms is underscored by some institutions' business plans, which rely heavily on the anticipated benefits of increased customer convenience. Internally, technological advances have changed the dynamics within many insured institutions. For example, some banks are using wireless technologies, and the use of customer relationship management (CRM) software is growing.5 Wireless technologies have facilitated network connectivity within some institutions and among branches. CRM software holds the promise of helping banks navigate their complex relationships with customers, with the goal of maximizing the profitability of these relationships. New Technologies Pose New Challenges Many technologies—such as smart cards, electronic bill presentment, and the migration of traditional banking into the on-line realm—are poised to alter further how banks do business (see Chart 1). More insured institutions are moving toward nonproprietary (often very low cost) software, such as Linux, as alternatives to costly proprietary operating systems. Banks may also adopt more advanced authentication schemes, which help prove a user's identity on a computer network. Although many bank customers can now access account information with an ATM card and a password, biometric technologies, such as retinal or fingerprint scanners, may eventually become the norm. Some institutions may be considering the benefits of more established technologies, such as moving toward on-line check imaging. Others are considering ways to reconfigure current systems in order to implement real-time processing. The use of shared application services may grow in the near term as banks "rent" software services or processing time, rather than buy expensive in-house systems. More customers are now paying bills on-line; soon these customers may receive bills on-line as well, and banks may play a critical role in developing this capability. Against this backdrop of rapid technological change, with its accompanying risks, this article explores a key concept associated with maintaining a secure IT environment—layered security.6 Chart 1 [D] "Defense in Depth" Is Key to Successful IT Security Perfect security does not exist, and no one solution exists for all IT security needs. Persistent and skilled perpetrators can eventually compromise any security system. Therefore, bank management should not rely on one security mechanism. "Layered" security, while not a new concept, remains highly effective. By layering IT security, insured institutions can increase the likelihood that should one security mechanism fail, another will prevent a breach. IT specialists typically refer to this concept as "defense in depth." As one chief technology officer said, "It's like an onion. The more layers a hacker has to peel through, the longer it takes and more frustrating it becomes to reach the center."7 The concept of layered network security may be new to some community banks that have migrated only recently to more complex computer networks or become more reliant on Internet-connected systems. While each institution must ultimately assess the level of layered security it needs, the following components, if incorporated into an overall IT security strategy, can help minimize disruptions to, or compromises of, a bank's technology infrastructure. Segregation of networks: Maintaining appropriate segregation among computer networks is vital. For instance, data traffic originating from one (perhaps sensitive and confidential) network segment need not be broadcast to all servers or workstations on the local area network. IT managers may segment the network by installing intelligent switches rather than network hubs. Similarly, not all information that resides on network devices may require the same level of access by all users. Further segmenting network information by employing the "least privilege" concept, whereby employees are given access on a "need to know" or "need to do" basis, is also important. Firewalls: A firewall is a set of components—hardware and software—that resides between two or more systems to block unauthorized traffic. Firewalls are useful in segregating networks and are the minimum security for institutions that maintain a connection to the Internet. Firewalls are essentially fences around, and sometimes within, a network. Generally, a firewall protects against unauthenticated logins to the internal network. Often, banks use firewalls between internal networks and an Internet connection. Firewalls may also create demilitarized zones, a computer host or small network inserted as a "neutral zone" between a bank's private network and the outside public network.8 External monitoring: A layered security process requires institutions to consider external measures, which enable an institution to see its network from an outsider's perspective. This approach allows monitoring of potential issues such as website defacements, hijacking of sessions or transactions, the need for software patch revisions, and open ports on a firewall and network. Continuous vulnerability assessments: All security organizations recognize running vulnerability scans of an IT infrastructure as a best security practice. Unfortunately, many companies run these scans only annually or quarterly. New vulnerabilities occur daily; the CERT Coordination Center generally publishes 50 or more a week.9 Therefore, IT managers should consider continuous scanning, or at least at more frequent intervals than quarterly. For example, frequent scanning would have protected companies from vulnerability to the "SQLSlammer" worm; information about this vulnerability was available in July 2002, but the worm did not fully materialize until 2003.10 Software upgrades, installation of new services, and human error also can contribute to the development of vulnerabilities. Instituting a scanning process at appropriate intervals can help minimize any resulting disruption to the IT infrastructure. Intrusion detection: An intrusion detection system (IDS) represents another layer of security—a "burglar alarm" that informs IT management when someone may be attacking the network. An IDS typically scans for anomalies in network traffic or data flows that match a known pattern of misuse. IT professionals normally place an IDS in front of or behind the firewall as a network monitor, or an IDS may reside on host systems. When placed on the host system, the IDS will examine log files for evidence of misuse. An IDS will detect attempted intrusions but will not stop or prevent them. Encryption: When transmitting sensitive data across the Internet or another untrusted medium, IT management should ensure that the information is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. IT managers also should encrypt sensitive data any time the data reside on a database that could be accessed by an unauthorized source-internal or external. Virus/worm protection: A virus is a piece of programming code, usually disguised as something else, that causes some unexpected and usually undesirable event. A worm is a self-replicating virus that does not alter files but resides in active memory and duplicates itself.11 Many viruses and worms exploit known vulnerabilities in operating systems or commonly used applications. IT managers should consider using virus protection methods for data entering bank networks, as well as periodic scanning of files within the network. All hosts, both servers and workstations, should be protected, and should have frequent virus definition updates. Also, the FDIC has recommended that banks implement an effective software patch management program as one of the best ways to prevent damage by viruses or worms.12 Adequately trained staff and users: Placing appropriate emphasis on IT security at the senior management and board of directors level is the first step toward minimizing system breaches. By establishing effective policies and procedures, boards of directors can promote an atmosphere that addresses critical security areas and establishes appropriate guidelines and standards for all employees. A well-educated staff also can help to prevent losses resulting from "social engineering attacks," which occur when users are tricked into bypassing security procedures (e.g., an employee is tricked into revealing his password). Successful IT Security Requires Constant Vigilance IT security is not a one-time event, but a continuous, multifaceted process. The anticipated growth in new technologies and the rapidly changing landscape of IT call for heightened vigilance, as vulnerabilities can appear quickly and compromises can be costly. A layered security approach, coupled with well-defined exception thresholds and close monitoring, are essential. Each insured institution must assess its own IT risk profile; an awareness of available network security components and existing regulatory guidance will facilitate the process. Mike Anas, Senior Financial Analyst, Division of Insurance and Research with contributions from the Chicago Region's Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection 1 Denial of service attacks flood a computer network with data in order to deny access to legitimate users. For financial institutions with a heavy on-line presence, these types of attacks can be the most costly. 2 2003 CSI/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey, (www.gocsi.com/forms/fbi/pdf.html). 3 "Must-Dos Will Keep IT Budgets Growing," American Banker, December 17, 2002. See FIL-81-2000, Risk Management of Technology Outsourcing, for regulatory guidance (www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2000/fil0081.html). 4 Appendix B to Part 364 of the FDIC's Rules and Regulations establishes guidelines to help ensure that financial institutions appropriately safeguard customer data. It calls for insured institutions to develop and implement an information security program that involves the board of directors, assesses risk, and manages and controls risk associated with protecting customer information. Appendix B lists many security measures, some of which are discussed later in this article. 5 FIL 8-2002, February 1, 2002, Guidance on Managing Risks Associated with Wireless Networks and Wireless Customer Access, www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2002/fil0208.html; and "Small Banks Seen Ready to Give CRM Another Look," American Banker, February 4, 2003. 6 The concept of layered controls is referenced in the Information Security Booklet of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's Information Technology Examination Handbook, December 2002, page 13. The handbook can be downloaded from www.FFIEC.gov. 7 "Layering Security to Protect Bank Networks," Bank Technology News, April 4, 2003. 8 searchwebservices.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci213891,00.html, August 4, 2003. 9 The CERT® Coordination Center (www.cert.org) is a federally funded research and development center that addresses computer security incidents and vulnerabilities, publishes security alerts, researches long-term changes in networked systems, and develops information and training to help improve computer security. 10 The SQLSlammer worm led to the compromise of many vulnerable machines and degraded performance on affected networks. 11 searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid14_gci213386,00.html, August 4, 2003. 12 FIL 43-2003, Computer Software Patch Management, www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2003/fil0343.html.   Dallas Regional Perspectives Economic Recovery Appears Imminent but Fragile The Dallas Region's economy is beginning to improve, suggesting that recovery from the 2001 recession may be taking hold. Total nonfarm employment in the Region was essentially unchanged at midyear 2003 compared to midyear 2002, a significant improvement from the loss of 280,000 jobs in the year-earlier period. Positive employment trends are evident in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector; health and education services; state and local governments; wholesale trade; and professional business services. However, conditions in the telecommunications and high-tech industries remain weak. Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma continued to lose jobs in the second quarter of 2003 on a year-ago basis in the durable goods manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy sectors. While overall employment trends are becoming more favorable, two factors point to a fragile economic recovery in the Region. First, the manufacturing sector remains weak. Structural and cyclical weaknesses have resulted in job losses, particularly in the subsectors of industrial machinery and equipment, textiles and apparel, and lumber and wood products. On a positive note, the pace of job loss has declined, as many manufacturing plants have reached minimum staffing levels necessary to continue operating. Second, although government hiring was a bright spot during the economic slowdown, financial stress experienced by state and local governments may constrain the Region's job growth going forward. As a result of the 2001 recession and subsequent weak U.S. recovery, tax revenues are declining in half the Region's eight states, and revenue growth in the other four states is well below the trend of the late 1990s. In fact, budget deficits are forecast for six of the Region's eight states in 2003.1 As a result of the budget problems, states and localities have begun to aggressively scale back spending and raise taxes. For example, the Tennessee state government mandated that all agencies cut spending by 9 percent, permanently eliminated many vacant government positions, discontinued health coverage for more than 160,000 workers, and significantly increased tuition at state universities. The fragile nature of the economic recovery is also apparent in an analysis of the Region's metro and rural areas.2 Overall, metro areas continued to lose jobs in the first six months of 2003, though a majority of metro counties showed positive employment growth. Rural counties, on the other hand, showed aggregate employment growth of 0.6 percent in the first six months of 2003, compared to losses of 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent for all of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The divergence between metro and rural performance is not unprecedented during the early stages of recovery. Rural areas have preceded the nation out of recession several times in the past, and rural job losses occurred earlier in this cycle.3 As shown in Chart 1, the recent growth in rural employment was led by improvement in the services sector and occurred despite continued weakness in manufacturing. Despite recent employment gains, rural areas face many economic challenges in the months to come. Rural economies tend to be less diversified than their metropolitan counterparts, and often depend on a few industries. Structural shifts, such as the movement of manufacturing production overseas, have resulted in the loss of many high-paying jobs that will not return when the recovery becomes more robust. Moreover, many of the economic factors that affect the demand for rural products are typically global in nature—such as the value of the U.S. dollar, foreign incomes and preferences, and U.S. farm and trade policies—and are beyond the control of rural businesses. In addition, the Region's rural areas are linked closely to the agricultural sector, in which weakness continues to pose challenges for rural economies and rural financial institutions. The Agricultural Sector Is Showing Signs of Improvement, but Challenges Remain The Region's agricultural sector is vast, encompassing 473 million acres, or 61 percent of the land area. Crops are highly diversified throughout the Region; in addition to the southern staples of livestock, cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat, the Region's farmers produce timber, sugar cane, rice, and aquaculture (catfish and shrimp). The Region produces the majority of U.S. aquaculture and rice, but the annual dollar volume is significantly less than is generated by other crops. The agricultural industry has been affected adversely by low prices for the past seven years, primarily because of national and global overproduction (see Table 1). National net farm income peaked in 1996 at $54.8 billion but then gradually fell through 2001, when it was $45.7 billion.4 In 2002, because of the severe drought that affected much of the Midwest and West, as well as lower levels of government subsidies, net farm income fell dramatically to $30.2 billion. Regional and national trends in farm income are similar, and 2002 regional data (which will not be available until late 2003) are expected to show a significant decline. Chart 1 [D] Table 1 Cotton Prices Remain Weak, but Cattle and Other Crop Prices Are Expected to Improve   1996 2000 2001 2002 Est. 2003 Cotton 75.40 45.00 49.80 29.80 42.80 Cattle 65.05 69.65 72.71 67.50 77.50 Corn 3.24 1.82 1.85 1.97 2.30 Soybeans 6.72 4.63 4.54 4.25 5.50 Wheat 4.55 2.48 2.62 2.78 3.56 Note: Grain prices are for marketing year of each crop. Cotton quantities are per pound; other crop quantities are per bushel; livestock are per hundredweight. Broiler prices are set by individual contracts and are not available for analysis. Sources: USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, July 2003   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts national net farm income to recover to $46.2 billion in 2003. However, a look at three products that are critical to the Region's agricultural economy suggests a mixed outlook for the Region: Cattle: The Region produced about one-third, or $13.3 billion worth, of all U.S. beef in 2001, making livestock production a significant economic driver for many rural counties. In 2002, drought destroyed grazing lands, forcing many ranchers to sell off herds because of a shortage of feed. As a result, cattle prices declined in late 2001 and 2002, and ranchers experienced the brunt of the declines because cattle are not protected by federal farm programs. However, smaller herds have contributed to a significant increase in prices during 2003 (see Table 1), a trend that bodes well for the Region's ranchers. Broilers (chickens): The Region's poultry industry, which is highly concentrated in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, produced $5.6 billion in cash receipts in 2001 but is showing clear signs of weakness. Overall U.S. production is expected to decline significantly in 2003 (down 1.1 percent from year-ago levels), as companies are placing fewer chicks with producers in response to declining overseas demand. Such a trend could hurt producers' incomes, in both the Region and the nation, as most producers have significant fixed infrastructure costs that must be covered by production volume. In addition, producers are being affected adversely by outbreaks of avian influenza and Newcastle disease, which could cost the industry more than $100 million in 2003.5 Cotton: The Region's cotton industry is significant ($2.4 billion in cash receipts in 2001, about half the U.S. total) but troubled. Cotton prices have been below the break-even point of approximately 73 cents per pound since 1996, largely because of global overproduction, a situation that was aggravated in 2002 by the global recession. Fortunately for producers, the 1996 and 2002 Farm Bills have implemented favorable subsidy schedules for cotton producers. However, these payments have also encouraged overproduction and therefore have contributed to declining prices. This year, continued overproduction, coupled with stable demand, could drive prices down about 10 cents per pound by harvest time.6 Overall, the expected improvement in cattle prices should bolster the Region's agricultural sector significantly, offsetting weakness in the cotton and broiler markets. Prices for other commodities, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, are expected to improve as well (see Table 1). However, the benefits could be derailed by continued drought conditions. As shown in Map 1, which compares the summers of 2002 and 2003, drought remains significant in New Mexico and Colorado, and abnormally dry conditions have moved into much of Texas. On the positive side, drought conditions have abated entirely in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Although drought conditions usually contribute to higher crop prices because of smaller harvests, the benefits accrue only to farmers who can raise normal crop levels. Map 1 [D] Rural Bank Performance Is Showing the Effects of the Weak Rural Economy Overall, rural community banks continue to report relatively healthy financial ratios, but the strains of the weak rural economy are emerging.7 Pretax earnings increased from 1.45 percent of average assets in 2001 to 1.60 percent in 2002 as low funding costs and a steepening yield curve in the first half of the year increased net interest margins.8 However, asset quality trends have not been as favorable. Aggregate levels of past-due and nonaccrual loans reached 3.23 percent at March 31, 2003, up 18 basis points from a year earlier, and marking the highest first-quarter level since 1993. It should be noted, however, that this level of problem loans remains far less than what rural banks experienced during the agricultural crisis of the 1980s. Loan charge-off rates continue to trend slowly upward, also signifying some stress in lending portfolios. Capital levels, at 10.34 percent of total assets, continue to increase, providing protection from economic swings. Additional stress is evident among community banks in cotton-producing areas. As illustrated in Map 2, the Region is home to 38 of the nation's top 50 cotton-producing counties, and the aggregate performance of community banks headquartered in these counties is considerably weaker than that of institutions elsewhere in the Region. For example, community banks based in cotton-producing counties reported pretax earnings of 1.24 percent of average assets in 2002, compared to 1.60 percent for rural community banks in the Region as a whole. In addition, almost 9 percent of banks in these counties lost money in 2002, compared with 4 percent of the Region's rural community banks overall. Although overall past-due loan levels are roughly the same, institutions based in the cotton-producing counties reported higher levels of noncurrent loans (1.54 percent of total loans) than the Region's community banks (1.27 percent) during first quarter 2003.9 Equity capital levels for insured institutions based in the cotton-producing counties were reasonably strong at 9.97 percent of total assets but remain 37 basis points below those of all rural community banks in the Region. Map 2 [D] Conclusion The Region's rural economy is showing signs of life despite a prolonged slump in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, but recovery is not assured. Higher cattle prices should boost the agricultural sector, but continued drought conditions in the western half of the Region could diminish any positive effects. The Region's manufacturing sector remains weak and may stay sluggish for an extended period even after the general economy recovers. Community bank performance reflects the economic stress evident in rural areas but is expected to improve when the agricultural and manufacturing sectors rebound. To help rural bankers face economic challenges, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is actively engaged in outreach to the banking community, particularly in areas that rely significantly on the agricultural sector. These meetings, as well as ongoing Director College programs, represent an effective way to maintain a dialogue with bankers on the important risk management issues facing the industry today. Dallas Staff   1 State budget figures were reported in the National Conference of State Legislatures' State Budget Update, February 2003. New Mexico and Arkansas are not forecasting a budget deficit largely because of recent favorable employment trends that have limited state revenue declines, and they have been more successful in matching revenues with expenditures. 2 For this article, rural areas are defined as counties that are not included in metropolitan statistical areas. This definition is used in calculating employment growth rates and banking performance numbers. 3 Henderson, Jason, "Will the Rural Economy Rebound With the Rest of the Nation?" The Main Street Economist, January 2002. 4 Farm Income data are provided by USDA Economic Research Service Farm Income Forecast, June 4, 2003. http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/farmincome/data/va_t1.htm. 5 Simon Romero, "Virus Takes a Toll on Texas Poultry Business," New York Times, May 6, 2003. 6 Carl G. Anderson, "Cotton Market Comments," Texas A&M University. Vol. 10, No. 7, May 12, 2003. 7 The term "community banks" includes all FDIC-insured banks and thrifts with total assets of less than $1 billion, excluding institutions that have been in existence less than three years, and specialty banks, such as credit card institutions. 8 Pretax earnings figures are used because a large number of community banks have elected Subchapter S Corporation status, which eliminates income tax at the bank level and prevents accurate after-tax comparisons with banks that have not elected Subchapter S status. 9 Noncurrent loans are those that are past due 90 or more days or are on nonaccrual status. Kansas City Regional Perspectives Continued Turmoil in the Airline Industry Does Not Bode Well for Some of the Region's Communities and Insured Institutions Airlines have experienced historically high levels of operating losses as demand remains low due to the aftermath of 9/11, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the conflict in Iraq, and a fragile domestic and global economy. Stress in the airline industry has spilled over into the aircraft manufacturing sector. The aviation and aerospace industries are highly important to the economies of some of the Region's states (see Table 1), and aviation and aerospace companies are among the top employers in several of the Region's communities (see inset box later in this article). However, the share of employment in these industries is greatest by far in the Wichita metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The sector's weak performance is expected to continue to affect the Wichita economy adversely and could contribute to some credit quality deterioration among local insured institutions. Table 1 Kansas Ranks Second Nationally in Aerospace and Aviation Industry Employment, Far Higher than Any Other State in the Region   Jobs per Capita Industry Employment State Number per 1,000 Workers State's National Ranking Number of Workers Percentage Employed in Aircraft and Parts Manufacturing Percentage Employed in Air Transportation Payroll ($millions) Ratio of Industry Wages to State Avg. Wage (%) Kansas 43 2 57,103 83.9 14.0 2,600 162 Missouri 17 15 45,706 38.7 58.2 2,000 143 Minnesota 14 20 37,553 2.1 89.5 1,900 137 Nebraska 6 39 5,618 5.3 93.4 176 123 North Dakota 6 40 1,966 30.5 66.1 64 136 South Dakota 5 47 1,846 4.1 97.5 55 120 Iowa 5 49 6,463 13.9 85.1 216 111 Source: Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, 2001 Reports The U.S. Airline Industry Has Not Recovered to Pre-9/11 Levels Demand for air travel, measured in passenger boardings, has declined significantly since 2000. After growing at an annualized rate of 3.4 percent between 1995 and 2000, year-over-year enplanements were flat in 2001 (due to the economic downturn and declining business travel) until 9/11 (see Chart 1). 1 Business travel represents a greater proportion of boardings and revenue passenger miles because of the frequent flights.2 Business travelers also are more likely to pay full price, as their travel needs are more inflexible than those of leisure flyers. As a result, the scaling back in business travel exerted a disproportionately adverse effect on the airline industry's bottom line. Chart 1 [D] Although air travel rebounded from a virtual standstill in late 2001, it has not recovered to pre-9/11 levels. In fact, air travel has continued to weaken, in large part because of uncertainty about the conflict in Iraq and fears about SARS. No clear positive signals have emerged, but many air carrier analysts are optimistic that a rebound in the U.S. economy in the latter half of 2003 and subsiding fears about SARS will contribute to an uptick in air travel. Recently, airlines have drastically cut fares to stimulate demand; however, lower fares have resulted in declining operating profit margins. Nominal January fares for members of the Air Transportation Association (ATA) declined precipitously from nearly $150 in 2001 to less than $120 in 2003, the lowest level since 1987.3 Air carriers also are scaling back the number of flights, modifying routes, and withdrawing aircraft from service to reduce supply; in addition, nearly 70,000 full-time and 20,000 part-time workers, or 13 percent of the labor force, were laid off between August 2001 and December 2002.4 Airlines also face rising fuel prices, the second largest operating expense after labor costs. Jet fuel prices nearly doubled from $0.56 per gallon in December 2001 to $1.02 per gallon in February 2003, before declining to approximately $0.80 per gallon. To give some perspective, after remaining below $0.60 per gallon for much of the 1990s following the Gulf War, jet fuel prices have fallen below that level for only three months since August 1999. Despite Government Assistance, the Financial Health of Air Carriers Remains Precarious The substantial revenue declines coupled with fuel price increases have contributed to record losses for the airline industry. The industry reported approximately $16 billion in losses in 2001 and 2002 combined, the first time losses have occurred in consecutive years.5 Industry analysts estimate losses for 2003 between $5 billion and $8 billion. The federal government's initial response to the problems caused by 9/11 was to enact the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act on September 22, 2001, which authorized $5 billion in direct compensation to air carriers affected by the attacks.6 This legislation also authorized the establishment of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board (ATSB) with the authority to issue up to $10 billion in federal loan guarantees on behalf of airlines. As of May 2003, $4.6 billion in direct compensation had been distributed to 426 air carriers.7 The ATSB approved 5 of 16 applications, resulting in $1.5 billion in air carrier loan guarantees, $900 million of which is earmarked for US Airways, Inc.8 Despite government aid, the airline industry has accumulated staggering debt levels during the last two years. The average debt-to-capital ratio has risen from a historical 70 to 80 percent range to 90 percent.9 The current situation could become more severe than that following the Gulf War, when seven major carriers filed for bankruptcy or liquidated.10 UAL Corp. ($25.2 billion, parent company of United Airlines, Inc.) and US Airways, Inc. ($7.9 billion) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002.11 American Airlines narrowly averted bankruptcy earlier this year through significant employee concessions. However, the airline's ability to avoid a cash flow crunch is far from certain. The same holds true for many other carriers, including Northwest Airlines. The Aircraft Manufacturing Industry Is Critical to the Wichita Economy The Wichita MSA, known as the "Air Capital of the World," is heavily concentrated in the aviation and aerospace industries. According to a report issued in October 2002 by the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry, Wichita is more dependent on the aircraft manufacturing industry than any other city in the nation, with 193 aerospace and aviation sector employees per 1,000 workers. The Seattle MSA, known for its strong ties to Boeing Corporation, is a distant second with 93 aerospace and aviation sector employees per 1,000 workers. Wichita's top-ten list of employers is a who's who of aircraft manufacturers: for example, Boeing Aircraft Wichita (rank 1, 13,650 employees), Cessna Aircraft Company (rank 2, 11,400 employees), Raytheon Aircraft Company (rank 3, 8,100 employees), and Bombardier Aerospace Learjet, Inc. (rank 6, 3,152 employees).12 The Fortunes of the Wichita Economy Are Closely Tied to Airline Carriers Following the decline in passenger boardings in 2001, ATA-member airlines removed nearly 300 aircraft from service and reduced future aircraft delivery plans. Annual aircraft orders declined from more than 1,000 between 1998 and 2000 to fewer than 750 between 2001 and 2002.13 Options on orders plummeted from nearly 2,750 aircraft in 2000 to fewer than 1,750 in 2002.14 The sudden and steep reduction in aircraft orders has caused the "Big 4" employers to cut thousands of jobs; the effects of these cuts have hurt hundreds of other small ancillary companies in the Wichita MSA (see Table 2). Table 2 Wichita's "Big 4" Aircraft Manufacturers Have Significantly Reduced Employment Wichita Employment Wichita Employment (000s) Percentage Dec '00 Mar '03 Change Boeing 16,800 12,500 -26 Cessnaa 12,509 9,200 -26 Raytheon 10,000 7,100 -29 Bombadier 3,602 2,200 -36 a Does not include seven-week furlough of 6,000 beginning June 2003. Sources: Wichita Business Journal, Book of Lists 2000; Wichita Business Journal, March 3, 2003, March 6, 2003, March 20, 2003, and June 2, 2003; Boeing Corporation at http:// www.boeing.com/employment/employment_table.html. Statistics from the Kansas Department of Human Resources show that the unemployment rate in Wichita in April 2003 was 6.0 percent, up from 5.6 percent one year ago, and well above the 4.4 percent reported at year-end 2001.15 Statewide, the unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, down slightly from 5.0 percent one year ago. The number of bankruptcies increased 39 percent between year-end 1999 and 2002 and is now 10 percentage points higher than the previous peak in 1998.16 Despite the significant layoffs, the housing market and retail business remained strong throughout 2002. The number of single-family housing permits climbed from 2,226 in 2000 to 2,817 in 2002, a 27 percent increase.17 Existing home sales were also strong, with sales through the first three quarters of 2002 nearly equal to the year-earlier period,18 and existing home prices rose from $90,700 in 2000 to $97,600 in 2002.19 Extended unemployment benefits help explain why the Wichita economy has not slowed as much as might have been expected. The Economic Security and Recovery Act of 2001, enacted on March 9, 2002, extended the 26-week unemployment insurance program by 13 weeks. The Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 2003 enacted May 2003 extend unemployment benefits for displaced workers in the airline and related industries an additional 13 weeks.20 However, softening in the housing market and in consumers' personal financial conditions could be emerging. First-quarter 2003 single-family building permit activity was 15 percent below first-quarter 2002 levels, and existing home sales were flat.21 The average marketing period for existing home sales now exceeds four months. Aviation and Aerospace Industry Is Among the Top Employers in Several of the Region's Larger Communities In addition to Wichita, the aviation and aerospace industry is important to the economies of Cedar Rapids, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. The largest of these MSAs are in Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri, and these states rank in the top 25 nationally by share of employment in these industries (see Table 1). Kansas, because of the significant employment concentration in the aviation sector in Wichita, ranks second in the nation behind Washington. The Lambert–St. Louis International Airport became a major hub for American Airlines, Inc., with the airline's acquisition of Trans World Airlines, Inc. (TWA) in 2001.22 With more than 9,000 employees, American Airlines is one of the top 15 employers in St. Louis.23 In addition, St. Louis is home to one of Boeing's large aerospace divisions. Boeing is the second largest employer in St. Louis, employing more than 15,300 workers in 2002.24Increased defense spending could help bolster the St. Louis economy. Minneapolis-St. Paul is headquarters for Northwest Airlines, Inc., the world's fourth largest airline company.25 Northwest Airlines was the sixth largest employer in Minneapolis-St. Paul at year-end 2001, with 18,270 employees.26 Kansas City has been home to TWA's (now American Airlines) overhaul and maintenance facility since 1957.27 The facility currently employs 2,250 workers.28 In addition, Vanguard Airlines, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City with over 900 employees, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002, and is now liquidating.29 Cedar Rapids is the world headquarters of Rockwell Collins, Inc., an aircraft-electronics spinoff of Rockwell International, Inc.30 Rockwell Collins is the metro area's top employer; the 7,150-person local workforce represents about 6 percent of the city's employment, far exceeding the number of workers employed by the number two employer (Cedar Rapids Community School District, with 2,775 employees).31 Increased defense spending is expected to contribute positively to the Cedar Rapids economy. Layoffs and wage concessions in the airline industry have had a negative effect on employment and aggregate personal income in these communities. However, even though aviation and aerospace companies are among the largest employers in these communities, the relatively high level of industrial diversity helps mitigate the adverse effects of the weak aviation sector. As a percentage of total employment, air transportation ranks sixth in the Minneapolis MSA and twelfth in St. Louis, where aircraft and parts ranks eighth.32 The aviation and aerospace sector does not rank in the top 25 industries in the Kansas City MSA.   The Local Banking Industry Remains Strong for Now, but Stress Is Likely Despite the stress in the aviation industry, overall credit quality among the 36 insured institutions headquartered in the Wichita MSA has not deteriorated substantially. This can be explained in part because none of these institutions reports direct exposure to large aircraft manufacturing companies, and any commercial and industrial lending is concentrated in small-business credits. However, in a community in which one of every five workers is employed in the aircraft manufacturing industry, local bank performance is expected to reflect the stress in this sector. In Wichita MSA institutions, the median past-due loan ratio was 1.76 percent as of March 31, 2003. In comparison, the median past-due ratio for the Kansas City Region was 2.30 percent. Delinquencies in residential loan portfolios remained relatively low at 2.12 percent, although this represents a significant increase from 0.40 percent two years ago. Again, the absence of increases in total nonperforming loans may be attributed to the extension of unemployment benefits. However, asset quality stress is becoming evident in a subgroup of institutions. The number of institutions headquartered in the Wichita MSA reporting delinquency ratios that exceed 5 percent has increased from one to seven in the past two years. In addition, the proportion of institutions with safety and soundness examinations showing Adversely Classified Assets in excess of 25 percent of Tier 1 capital has more than doubled from 22 percent to 47 percent in the same period. However, relatively high capital and loan loss reserve levels provide a cushion for any asset quality weakness. Insured institutions headquartered in the Wichita MSA reported a median Tier 1 capital ratio of 9.09 percent as of March 31, 2003. Moreover, median ratios of loan loss reserves to total loans and nonperforming loans were high at 1.36 percent and 236.4 percent, respectively. Earnings remain solid, with a median return on assets ratio of 1.00 percent. Fewer than 6 percent of the banks were unprofitable at the end of first quarter 2003. Wichita Consumers May Face Problems When Unemployment Benefits Expire Air travel demand has yet to recover fully, and analysts expect airlines to continue to post losses. Should the aviation industry experience weak operating conditions into 2004, airline bankruptcies could rise, slowing any recovery for the aircraft manufacturing sector. Consumers in the Wichita MSA may find it difficult to continue their current spending levels and service their debts, particularly when unemployment insurance benefit extensions expire. Richard D. Cofer, Jr., Senior Financial Analyst   1 Member airlines are Airborne Express, Alaska, Aloha, America West, American (includes TWA), American Trans Air, Atlas Air, Continental, Delta, DHL Airways, Emery Worldwide, Evergreen International, FedEx, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest Express, Northwest, Polar Air Cargo, Southwest, United, UPS Airlines, and US Airways. Source is ATA's 2002 Annual Report, http://www.ata.org. 2 "A relatively small group of travelers (the frequent flyers who take more than 10 trips a year) account for a significant portion of air travel. While these flyers represent only eight percent of the total number of passengers flying in a given year, they make about 40 percent of the trips." www.airlines.org online handbook. 3 Airfare is for a 1,000-mile journey, exclusive of applicable taxes. Source: Airlines in Crisis–The Perfect Economic Storm, Washington, DC: Air Transport Association of America, Inc., http://www.airlines.org. 4 Ibid. 5 2001 airline industry losses totaled $8 billion. Source: Air Carrier Financial Statistics Quarterly, U.S. Department of Transportation, http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/. 2002 and 2003 loss estimates collected from variety of national newsprint and financial Web magazine articles. 6 http://thomas.loc.gov/. 7 U.S. Department of Transportation Web site, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/carrierpayments.htm. 8 ATSB has conditionally approved two of the remaining eleven applications for approximately $117 million and rejected the other nine applications. Sources of data are the ATSB Web site, http://www.treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/atsb, and an America West Airlines press release dated January 18, 2003, PRNewswire-FirstCall. 9 U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation hearing on financial condition of the airline industry, September 24, 2002, press release, http://www.house.gov/transportation/press/press2002/release354.html. 10 Between December 1990 and June 1992, six airlines filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. PanAm, Midway, and MarkAir liquidated. Continental, TWA, and America West reorganized. In addition, Eastern Airlines liquidated during this period. Source: Airlines in Crisis. 11 BankruptcyData.com. http://www.bankruptcydata.com/Research/15_Largest.htm. 12 Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. 13 Airlines in Crisis. 14 Ibid. 15 Kansas Labor Conditions News Releases, January 2002, June 2002, and June 2003, Kansas Labor Market Information Services, Topeka, KS, http://laborstats.hr.state.ks.us/index.html. 16 Ibid. 17 U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/const/www/permitsindex.html. 18 U.S. Housing Market Conditions, Housing Market Profiles, Wichita, Kansas, Third quarter 2002, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research. 19 Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. 20 http://thomas.loc.gov/. 21 U.S. Housing Market Conditions, Regional Activity, Great Plains, First quarter 2003, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research. 22 AMR Corp (parent company of American Airlines). Data as of March 2003. http://www.amrcorp.com/facts/hubs.htm. 23 The St. Louis Business Journal, January 2003, via Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. 24 Ibid. 25 Northwest Airlines, Inc., http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/profi/facts/. 26 City Business, December 2001, via Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. 27 Milestones in TWA History, DCS TWA History, http://twdcs.org/history.html. 28 Randolph Heaster, "Unions Say American Threatens to File for Bankruptcy, Close KC Overhaul Base," Kansas City Star, April 9, 2003. 29 "Vanguard Airlines Plans Bankruptcy," USA Today, Kansas City, Mo. (AP), July 30, 2002. 30 Rockwell Collins, Inc., http://www.rockwellcollins.com. 31 Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, October 2002, via Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. 32 Source of sector employment data for Minneapolis and other communities is Economy.com, Inc., Metro 2003, February 2003. New York Regional Perspectives Region's Economy Has Improved Modestly; However, Its Economic Recovery May Lag the Nation's Employment declined sharply in the Region during 2001; however, the rate of job loss has moderated and is now tracking national trends (see Chart 1).1 Since March 2001, the beginning of the most recent recession, the Region has lost about 2 percent of its employment base, virtually the same as the nation. However, employment has declined