Ag bankers

One of the top points of discussion at this year’s American Bankers Association Ag Bankers Conference was the 2023 Farm Bill.  You may ask yourself, why do bankers care about the farm bill.  Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President for Ag and Rural Banking Policy at the ABA says despite what many think, a large portion of the banking industry is connected to rural America, and the Farm Bill has a direct

The past couple of years have been fairly good for farm country, financially speaking.  But will that trend continue into the future?   That was one of the hot topics at the 70th Annual American Bankers Association Ag Bankers Conference.  Curt Covingt...

Creighton University’s June Rural Mainstreet Index sank into negative territory for the first time since September 2020.  Dr. Ernie Goss is co-creator of the RMI. “Inflation is a really big concern, of course, with the accompanying interest rate hikes. The Federal Reserve,...

Farm loans outstanding at commercial banks declined in the third quarter and non-performing loans edged slightly higher. The Kansas City Federal Reserve said reduced lending at agricultural banks contributed most significantly to the further decline in outstanding loan balances ...

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained above growth-neutral in December.  It’s the fourth-straight month, and tenth time in the past 12 months in the Index moved higher.  The index is a monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region that depends on agriculture and/or energy.   While ...

When talking about stress in the farm sector, what do Ag lenders see? "I would say that weather has amplified and already tenuous Ag situation," said Shane Haynes, CEO of Kansas-based Hertland Tri-State Bank.  "Banks are restructuring loans with real estate. The...

If you ask farm and ranch lenders from across the country their thoughts on the future of the Ag economy, their responses may not be as somber as you’d expect.  And while there is caution about the current farm economy, Montana banker Heather Malcolm says it’s not all gloom and doom as we look at 2020.   “From a...

While many in the farm and even non-farm community feel the Ag economy is not in a good place, Ag bankers are not necessarily in that camp.  Those in attendance of this year’s American Bankers Association National Ag Bankers Conference, had an upbeat mood when it comes to the farm economy.  The ABA ...

Ag bankers are asking Congress to take action on the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America act, better known as ECORA.  What would this legislation do for rural America?   Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President for Ag and Rural Banking Policy at the American Bankers Association, said the legislation will lower the tax rate on banks when they do agricultural real estate lending.   “... Read Mo

Farmers and ranchers are inherently good at figuring out ways to save money.  A new trend that is growing in popularity is informally partnering with other farmers to save on expenses.  Ag banker Rachel Holland said it starts with a few producers looking for realistic ways to trim their outgoing money.  She not...