By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new dashboard called Lender Lens as part of its Rural Data Gateway. The tool makes USDA Rural Development’s commercial guaranteed loan data available to the public, lenders, and rural communities.
Lender Lens offers easy-to-understand data visualizations that help users see where federal loan investments are being made. Key information includes total loan amounts, average loan size, sector distribution, geographic reach, and delinquency rates. This allows users to quickly review lending activity across the country.
The dashboard is updated monthly and allows data downloads down to the individual loan level. This feature gives lenders and community leaders flexible access to current information, helping them track trends and manage loan portfolios more efficiently.
“The Trump Administration knows that the American public values the importance of government data transparency. The Lender Lens will highlight where USDA has expanded access to capital for businesses and rural communities who need it most and demonstrate how Rural Development funds are being used across rural America,” said Stephen Vaden, USDA Deputy Secretary.
“It will help rural stakeholders see where investments are being made to expand or improve access to health care, save and create jobs and provide safe drinking water in their communities,” said Vaden.
The Rural Data Gateway, launched in 2023, was created to help USDA better serve rural America. It supports farmers, entrepreneurs, local officials, and organizations by clearly showing how development funds are used.
The Gateway includes multiple dashboards covering investments made through more than 80 Rural Development programs over the past ten years. Users can analyze data by state, county, and congressional district, making it easier to understand regional investment patterns.
Lender Lens also supports USDA’s commitment under the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act of 2018. By expanding access to federal data, the dashboard helps rural communities make informed decisions and strengthens trust in public programs.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National