Consumer confidence declined in March.

The Conference Board said its March survey of 5,000 households found that less than 20% of the respondents expected business conditions to improve over the next few months. In February, 24% expressed optimism. The business research firm attributed the decline to the temporary closing last month of 70 Ohio savings and loan associations. The Conference Board’s buying plans index, which measures consumers’ plans to buy durable goods, rose to 113.6 in March from 107.1 in February.