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Why does the U.S. have so many small banks? And what does that mean for our economy?

NPR | By Stacey Vanek Smith
Published April 30, 2023 at 7:56 AM EDT
A horse looks in the drive-window of the Bank of Bird-in-Hand. The bank serves the Amish community. There are more than 4,000 small banks in the U.S.--more than any other country. And that has shaped the U.S. economy.
Amanda Hall/Bank of Bird-in-Hand
A horse looks in the drive-window of the Bank of Bird-in-Hand. The bank serves the Amish community. There are more than 4,000 small banks in the U.S.--more than any other country. And that has shaped the U.S. economy.

Copyright 2023 NPR
Stacey Vanek Smith
Stacey Vanek Smith is the co-host of NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money, and is a correspondent for Planet Money.
See stories by Stacey Vanek Smith