PODCAST · business
The Rural Banker
by Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover
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
Episodes
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The Rural Banker: Late Summer 2026 Rural Mainstreet Survey
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
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The Rural Banker: A Conversation with Jim Eckert
Featured Guest: Jim Eckert, Executive Vice President and Trust Officer at Anchor State Bank In this episode of The Rural Banker, Jim Eckert joins Dr. Ernie Goss and Monique Devillier for a conversation about rural banking, agriculture, and the economic conditions affecting rural communities. This...
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Rural Mainstreet Index Plummets to 42.1 in July
The July 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index fell 10.5 points to 42.1, dropping below growth-neutral for the fifth time in six months. In this episode of The Rural Banker, Dr. Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University and co-creator of the Rural Mainstreet Index,...
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Rural Mainstreet Index Hits Three-Year High as Tariffs Top Banker Concerns
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...
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"I Have the Best Job in the World": Gary Brandt on What Co-ops See Before Banks Do
"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...
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"How Do You Operate at a Loss?" — Navigating Year Four of the Ag Squeeze
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...
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Bankers Say Recession Is Here | April 2026 RMI
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: *…
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Farmers Are Borrowing to Survive, Not to Grow: March 2026 RMI
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...
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Energy Markets, Spring Planting Costs, and the Outlook for Rural Banks
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...
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February 2026 Rural Mainstreet Index
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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
HOSTED BY
Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Rural Banker have?
The Rural Banker currently has 10 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Rural Banker about?
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
How often does The Rural Banker release new episodes?
The Rural Banker has 10 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Rural Banker?
You can listen to The Rural Banker on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Rural Banker?
The Rural Banker is created and hosted by Dr. Ernie Goss and Andrew Hoover.
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