Fall 2009  Full magazine publication (pdf, 3.3 meg) 

Small, rural banks see the federally charted Farm Credit System as increasingly significant loan competition. Banks say there is an unfair advantage; the System says choices are good for customers.

Further resources:

• "Rural Lending Competition of Community Banks and the Farm Credit System"

Esther George is now responsible for this Reserve Bank's operations and budget, as well as participating in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings in Kansas City Fed President Tom Hoenig's absence.

Further resources:

• Senior leadership at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Homeowners with subprime mortgages aren't the only ones facing default. Rising unemployment and declining property values are straining household budgets, just like Kansas Citian David Jewell's.

Further resources:

• "Characteristics of High Foreclosure Neighborhoods in the Tenth District"
• Community Affairs and the Fed

Although the United States as a whole feels the pain of this most recent recession, the sting varies from region to region. Variances can be explained by the different industries within these areas, among other factors.

Further resources:

• "Recession and Recovery across the Nation: Lessons from History"
• "Financial Stress: What Is It, How Can It Be Measured and Why Does It Matter?"