Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover

The Rural Banker

Business EN ↓ 7 episodes

A data-driven look at the U.S. rural economy. Each month, Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover translate the Rural Mainstreet Index into actionable insights on agriculture, lending, and the financial realities facing rural banks. erniegoss.substack.com

Author

Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover

Episodes

Rural Mainstreet Index Hits Three-Year High as Tariffs Top Banker Concerns 26.06.2026 13:23

The June 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index rose to 52.6, its highest reading since July 2023 — the first time the index has crossed above growth neutral in four months. Dr. Ernie Goss, MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University and co-creator of the Rural Mainstreet Index, breaks down what's driving the improvement and why rural bankers say the pressure isn't over. Topics include wh...

"I Have the Best Job in the World": Gary Brandt on What Co-ops See Before Banks Do 28.05.2026 19:00

"I have the best job in the world. We help the farmers in Nebraska feed the world. It's noble work." That is Gary Brandt, CEO of Cooperative Producers Inc., a farmer-owned cooperative serving central Nebraska since 1906. Co-ops sit upstream of the financial system. They spot shifts in prepay behavior, input orders, and accounts receivable weeks before that data ever hits a commercial loan officer'...

"How Do You Operate at a Loss?" — Navigating Year Four of the Ag Squeeze 01.05.2026 13:12

Row crop prices have been below production costs for four consecutive years. In this episode, Dr. Ernie Goss breaks down the April Rural Mainstreet Index, and Jeff Bonnett, President and CEO of Havana National Bank in Havana, Illinois, shares what that looks like on the ground. They cover Main Street spillover, loan renewal conversations, land values, and what policymakers may be getting wrong abo...

Bankers Say Recession Is Here | April 2026 RMI 16.04.2026 7:49

The April Rural Mainstreet Index points to continued contraction across the rural economy, with more than half of bankers reporting local recession conditions. Dr. Ernie Goss breaks down what’s driving these shifts and what to watch going forward. Key takeaways from this month’s survey: * Recession Reality: 54.2% of bankers report current recession conditions. * Rural Assets: Farmland and ranchlan...

Farmers Are Borrowing to Survive, Not to Grow: March 2026 RMI 27.03.2026 7:34

In this month’s episode of The Rural Banker , Dr. Ernie Goss breaks down the March 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index, and the tension between surging loan volume and collapsing confidence tells the story. The overall RMI fell to 40.9, its lowest level since October 2025, while banker confidence dropped from 45.8 to 29.5 in a single month. At the same time, loan volume jumped to 78.6. Dr. Goss explains w...

Energy Markets, Spring Planting Costs, and the Outlook for Rural Banks 12.03.2026 8:49

In this episode of The Rural Banker , Dr. Ernie Goss reviews the latest Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) and the economic pressures facing agricultural producers and rural lenders. Energy markets remain a key factor this month. Recent volatility in oil prices has raised concerns about input costs heading into the spring planting season , particularly for diesel and other fuel-intensive farm operations...

February 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index 19.02.2026 15:54

February 2026 release of the Rural Mainstreet Index, a monthly survey of community bank CEOs across a ten-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. Learn more about the index methodology and past releases at Creighton University. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erniegoss.substack.com