WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Rural lenders, producers, and community leaders now have clearer insight into where federal capital is flowing, as USDA rolls out a new public dashboard designed to track Rural Development loan activity nationwide. The Lender Lens, launched January 19, makes USDA’s full commercial guaranteed loan portfolio accessible through the Rural Data Gateway.
The tool allows users to quickly evaluate loan performance, geographic distribution, sector exposure, and delinquency trends tied to USDA Rural Development guarantees. Data are refreshed monthly and can be downloaded down to the individual-loan level, giving lenders and rural stakeholders more timely visibility into credit conditions and investment patterns.
USDA says the dashboard strengthens transparency while helping communities monitor how federal dollars support business growth, healthcare access, infrastructure, and job creation across rural America. The platform also enables lenders to better manage risk and benchmark activity across regions and programs.
Lender Lens builds on the Rural Data Gateway, launched in 2023, which aggregates investment data from more than 80 Rural Development programs over the past decade. Together, the tools aim to improve access to capital by making information easier to analyze at the state, county, and congressional district levels.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Greater transparency into USDA-backed lending can help rural lenders and producers better assess credit availability and investment trends.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
January 22, 2026 06:34 PM
·
Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
January 22, 2026 12:56 PM
·
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to discuss seasonal affective disorder, winter mental health, and practical strategies for maintaining well-being in rural communities.
January 21, 2026 01:26 PM
·
The Farm Bureau is making an urgent call to Congress for more farm support. Colton Lacina with Farmers National Company joined us to discuss farmland values and how market dynamics for the year ahead reflect stabilization rather than collapse.
January 21, 2026 12:30 PM
·
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
·
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
January 20, 2026 11:48 AM
·
Livestock strength is carrying the farm economy, while crop margins remain tight and increasingly dependent on risk management and financial discipline.
January 19, 2026 05:00 PM
·
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
January 19, 2026 03:00 PM
·
