Agriculture banks are reporting higher profitability

Banks focusing on agriculture loans are reporting higher profits recently.

Researchers at the University of Illinois crunched the numbers and found that ag banks on average have a return on assets at 1.07 percent, which is compared to non-ag banks at 1.03 percent.

They also found ag banks are more efficient, too, with the efficiency ratio up several points during the fourth quarter.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across the U.S. for the week of Monday, September 15, 2025.
Missouri Cattle RanchHER Alda Owen joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to talk about the all-new episode of FarmHER + RanchHER, which premieres on Thursday, Sept. 19!
U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
Tariffs are pushing up input costs, with fertilizer prices rising $100 per ton and machinery costs climbing due to steel and parts duties.
Year-round sales of E-15 are another major topic on Capitol Hill, which, according to Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), is one issue up for debate this session with significant bipartisan support.
Lawmakers have until September 30 to shore up federal spending for next year, or risk a government shutdown. The Farm Bill is also set to expire the same day.