Federal Reserve

The quarter-point hike, to a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent, lifts the Fed's benchmark rate to its highest point since 2008.

The Fed chairman said the central bank is monitoring potential vulnerabilities in the banking system to ensure its continued stability.

The bankers say farmers are borrowing more money because their costs are increasing at the same time that they are bringing in less income.

Yellen says the Fed is prepared to adjust the regulations as needed to help financial institutions.

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates after seven years of record lows.