Zions Bank

SALT LAKE CITY -- In March, the Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index decreased 4.9 points to 79.9. The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index decreased 1.4 points to 70.2, creating a 9.7 point difference between the two indexes.

In March, Utahns' confidence in the economy received a small dent as fuel prices continued to rise. Today, Utahns are paying approximately 23 percent more for regular gasoline in the state compared to just three months ago. Despite rising fuel costs, consumers' confidence toward the economy remains strong. Most importantly, consumers' attitude toward the local labor and housing markets continues to be optimistic. Most economists cite sustained confidence in the labor and housing markets as a key indicator of a healthy economic recovery.

OGDEN -- In the years ahead, employers will become more likely to pay women a wage as high as their male peers, more likely to tolerate flexible schedules if workers are doing a good job and less likely to prejudge employees by their race, predicts Zions Bank's senior vice president of communications.

That's the good news, Chris Redgrave told a student at Weber State University last week.

SALT LAKE CITY -- A new video contest from Zions Bank is giving students the opportunity to win up to $1,000, with a matching prize for their school.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah leaders in business, health care, education and community development plan to gather for a discussion on what makes living in Utah so great.

OGDEN -- Catholic Community Services Director Marcie Valdez was giving a tour of the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank and showing her visitors a typical cart of food low-income people get to take home. "I started to cry," she said.

OGDEN -- Cash is king for small businesses, but in the end, any payment will do because, after all, money is money. Haley Zenger is the owner of The Queen Bee, a book and game shop on Historic 25th Street in Ogden. About 80 percent of her business is in credit cards, and she takes checks written out for less than $50, but is glad when customers use cash.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Zions Bank Women's Financial Group announces the availability of applications for a series of micro-grants for women. The Smart Women Grants are available up to $3,000 to candidates who excel in a variety of fields.