Survey says Oklahomans not expecting better times soon

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A recent economic survey shows that Oklahomans aren’t encouraged heading into the next year.

The Oklahoman reported (http://bit.ly/1YnaIPY ) an Arvest Bank survey found that only 39 percent of Oklahomans believe their economic situation will be better a year from now – down from 42 percent last September. In the survey, 14 percent expect their finances to worsen in the next year, down from 11 percent.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said Oklahoma is doing better than most other energy states, except Texas. It said that while North Dakota and Wyoming have seen job losses, Oklahoma’s employment has been flat, along with Alaska, Louisiana and New Mexico. An executive at the bank’s Oklahoma City branch, Chad Wilkerson, said Texas’ diverse economy helped it outperform Oklahoma in many areas.