A Detailed Look at Lender Participation in the Farm Service Agency Guaranteed Loan Program

This paper presents a detailed summary analysis of commercial bank, Farm Credit System (FCS), and other commercial lenders use of Farm Service Agency (FSA) guaranteed loan program over the time period fiscal 1993-2003. Key aspects of the guaranteed program are examined including the usage level of guaranteed loans by the various lenders and the intensity of guaranteed lending to socially disadvantaged (SDA) and beginning farmer groups. The usage of guaranteed loans is examined at state, regional, and national levels. Specific characteristics associated with banks using the program are identified.