Jamie Karl
Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) is celebrating National Agriculture Week (March 16-22) by highlighting agriculture’s positive impact on the state’s financial sector.
NDBF Director Kelly Lammers stated: “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 community banks.” (Audio available here.)
To illustrate the impact, NDBF has released a fact sheet, published at ndbf.nebraska.gov. Insights include:
- As of late 2024, Nebraska's state-chartered banks had invested more than $14 billion in outstanding agricultural loans (nearly 40% of total loan volume).
- Of this amount, $6.9 billion was allocated to ag land loans. Another $7.1 billion was for loans related to machinery purchases and other production-related expenses.
- Of Nebraska’s 134 state-chartered banks, 104 (nearly 78%) qualify as “agricultural banks” under FDIC standards, meaning at least 25% of their capital is deployed to support ag lending. This underscores Nebraska banks’ expertise and understanding of agricultural operations.
Lammers reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nebraska agriculture, saying: “The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance celebrates the state’s agricultural community. National Agriculture Week reminds us of the industry’s essential role in feeding the world and driving our economy. Here in Nebraska, every week is Ag Week.” (Audio available here.)