Abstract: Based on the time series spatial classification of rural financial agglomeration from 2008-2018 using self-organizing mapping technique, we empirically test the regional differences and paths of rural financial agglomeration affecting rural economic growth. The results show that: rural financial agglomeration in high agglomeration areas has a more significant pulling effect on rural economic growth. From the direct path, high agglomeration areas can promote rural economic growth by increasing the business network of rural financial institutions, while low agglomeration areas can promote rural economic growth by increasing the asset size of rural financial institutions, but rural-related loans in both high and low agglomeration areas have not yet played a significant role in driving rural economic growth. In terms of indirect paths of action, rural financial agglomeration in high agglomeration areas can boost rural economic growth by promoting urbanization, while the paths of action of rural financial agglomeration in low agglomeration areas affecting rural economic growth through urbanization and rural industrial integration have not been verified.

Keywords: rural financial agglomeration; rural economic growth; urbanization; rural industrial integration