On May 12, the USDA announced the removal of ten financial institutions from its Rural Development “OneRD Guaranteed Lending Program,” which provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for qualifying businesses located in rural areas, permanently prohibiting them from further participation. According to the announcement, the removed lenders collectively held approximately $620 million in delinquent loans, representing roughly 47 percent of the program’s total delinquent loan portfolio. USDA stated that the action was taken to address what it characterized as “irresponsible and noncompliant” lending practices and to protect taxpayer funds. The agency indicated that more than 750 lenders remain in the program and that the removals are intended to strengthen the program’s ability to deliver capital to rural borrowers.