By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) is celebrating National Agriculture Week (March 16-22) by recognizing the strong connection between agriculture and the state’s financial sector. Agriculture plays a vital role in Nebraska’s economy, influencing industries beyond farming, including banking.
“Agriculture is Nebraska’s largest industry – the backbone of our economy. What happens in our fields, feedlots, farrowing houses, pens, and pastures directly affects Main Street, including our community banks,” said NDBF Director Kelly Lammers.
To showcase this relationship, NDBF has released a fact sheet detailing the financial sector’s involvement in agriculture. According to the report, Nebraska’s state-chartered banks had invested over $14 billion in agricultural loans by late 2024, representing nearly 40% of their total loan portfolio. Of this, $6.9 billion was allocated to land loans, while $7.1 billion supported equipment purchases and other production expenses.
Additionally, 78% of Nebraska’s state-chartered banks qualify as agricultural banks under FDIC guidelines, meaning at least a quarter of their capital supports farming-related loans. This reflects the state’s deep-rooted expertise in agricultural finance and the importance of continued investment in farming communities.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Nebraska, Business