In the 1920s, many rural banks failed because banks had speculated in stocks. farmers could not repay their loans. the stock market surged. consumers took their money out.

Option: farmers could not repay their loans.

Explanation:

In the beginning, the farmers missed out on the prosperity in the 1920s because of the Great Depression. The farmers were facing problems after the end of World war I. They were in debt as earning was so little, not enough to feed their family. Many rural banks failed because of the debt taken by farmers as they were unable to pay back. The prices and demand were falling with increasing production. Some other reasons were falling farm prices and agriculture goods, and purchasing expensive machinery.  

farmers could not repay their loans.

Explanation:

e2020 correct [confirmed]

they remained in rural areas and worked at jobs such as lumbering or farming.