Analiza wpływu rolników jako grupy kredytobiorców na rentowność i bezpieczeństwo banków spółdzielczych w Polsce w latach 2012-2017

The main objective of the article is to assess of the importance of farmers as debtors and the influence of this group of clients on the profitability and security of cooperative banks in Poland between 2012-2017. The analysis was based on quarterly data between December 2012 and June 2017 (19 observations). The following hypotheses were introduced: the share of farmers in the credit structure of cooperative banks decreases (H1), the decrease in the farmers’ credit share in the total number of credits in cooperative banks lowers their profitability measured by the ROA index, and the correlation magnitude is at least moderate (H2), the decreased share of farmers in the credit portfolio of cooperative banks is positively correlated with the level of the total solvency ratio and Tier-1 capital ratio, and this correlation is at least of moderate magnitude (H3).The conducted research allows to conclude that: the share of credits for farmers in the total credit portfolio of cooperative banks in Poland is decreasing. It is correlated with the level of assets profitability, the correlation is positive, and its magnitude is at least moderate. Simultaneously, it is negatively correlated with the level of Tier-1 capital ratio. Hence, only two out of three hypotheses have been verified.