Full economic recovery not in sight yet ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - The nation's economy is better now than it was at this time last year, but don't expect a full recovery any time soon.

That's what a panel of business and political leaders said today to a crowd at Emory University.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart won't say the economy won its fight against the recession. But he, and others, do believe things are NOT getting worse.

Right now, Lockhart says we're probably in a technical recovery.

LOCKHART: "meaning that there will be some growth. Our outlook is that recovery will be subdued. We will not come back terribly strong."

In order words, it might be a while before people buy more than just paint from The Home Depot. CEO Frank Blake said a key economic indicator is whether customers look at high priced items like countertops as investments.

BLAKE: "and we think what happened over time is that new countertop started to look more like an expense rather than an investment."

The tight credit market has forced consumers and businesses to spend less. Banks and investors know this but they're shy too. They're waiting on Congress to set new financial regulations.

Charles Edwards, WABE News. © Copyright 2012, WABE