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Abstract
Bank operating statistics for 1980-91 illustrate important differences
between agricultural and nonagricultural banks. The agricultural banks,
with a higher proportion of agricultural loans, were more profitable
overall, while having more securities and fewer loans. Most agricultural
banks were small, having assets under $100 million, and were located in
the Midwest or South. Agricultural bank numbers declined considerably
over the study period, but only at a slightly higher rate than did other
banks. Many analysts have expressed concern that financial market
deregulation would threaten the survival of small banks. The data
presented here, however, indicate that, although there has been
significant consolidation, these predominantly small agricultural banks
are finding ways to compete, and on several measures they outperform
nonagricultural banks.