PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A spokesman for the agency that regulates the Oregon’s financial industry says the economy is slowly improving and the health of state-chartered banks is doing the same.
Oregon Division of Finance and Corporation Securities administrator David Tatum tells The Oregonian (http://is.gd/7Ecwlm ) that the agency is guardedly optimistic that improvements are being made in the banking industry.
Oregon had 36 state-chartered banks in 2006 but is down to 29. During the first quarter of 2012, 25 of the banks posted a profit.
Analysts say a change in consumer sentiment or a delay in the country’s economic recovery could change the situation for banks.
