Farm banks well set for 2015

摘要

FARM banks significantly increased agricultural lending by 13.6% in 2014 and held $94.6 billion in farm loans at the end of the year, according to the American Bankers Assn.'s annual "Farm Bank Performance Report."Farm incomes are expected to decline in 2015, but the report says farm banks will continue to be an important credit source for agricultural operations."In 2014, the agricultural sector continued to outperform the broader national economy, and as a result, farm banks posted solid results," the report notes. "Farm banks reported improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheets and solid earnings in 2014. In addition, farm banks, as a group, remained well-cap-italized through 2014."