Wisconsin bankers have their voice heard in Washington DC thanks to the American Bankers Association (ABA). They represent 83 percent of all banks nationwide and have agricultural loans in their portfolio. Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President of Agricultural and Rural Banking Policy for ABA says recent conversations in the lending space have been focused around commodity prices.

Addressing these concerns is the ACRE Act (Access to Credit for our Rural Economy), currently gathering bipartisan support with 46 co-sponsors in the House. This legislation aims to alleviate the burden of interest rates by eliminating taxation on farm real estate, rural housing, and aquaculture.

The evolving conversation around lending priorities has also been shaped by ongoing shifts in the agricultural landscape. With the rise in agricultural costs and an aging farming population, the focus has pivoted towards supporting customers through this transition.