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Draft report seeks to analyze effect of technological innovation and deregulation on financial services industries in rural areas. Author points to consolidation and concentration of banking services in nonmetro areas as most significant indicator of changes in industries. Report finds contentious debate among industry specialists on whether lending practices of small nonmetro banks vary greatly from their competitors or replacements, and if so whether this will affect the availability of credit at the local level.
Report seeks to answer this question through a survey of literature addressing the evolution of banking and informally interviewing bankers from rural communities across the U.S. Report findings show that uncertainty regarding credit availability further threatens rural businesses that already face labor shortages and limited markets.
