Explainer: Interest Rates and Terms

Mar 2, 2021

We offer loans for farms, rural property, and life in the country at a variety of rates and terms so you can get the financing that fits best.

Learn about the rates and terms that may be available for the kind of financing you need.

Rates

We offer fixed, variable, and adjustable rates, depending on the type of loan you have with us.

Fixed Rates

The interest rate on all fixed-rate loans can be fixed for the full term of the note. This allows you to know your annual interest expense throughout the life of the loan. Agricultural fixed-rate loans are not subject to a prepayment penalty with the exception of large loans where a prepayment penalty is negotiated up-front with the borrower.

Variable Rates

Variable-rate loans have an interest rate that can vary up or down, during the term of the loan. The rate being charged on variable rate loans is tied with a particular “index”. These indexes allow you, the borrower, to judge for yourself, what potential movement there may be in the rate.

Adjustable Rate

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) are a special kind of product that combines features of both fixed and variable interest rate products. ARM’s fix the interest rate for a specified period of time, one-year, three-year or five-year. The interest rate is indexed to US Treasury securities. As US Treasury rates move the rate on the ARM may move also, after the initial fixed period.

Terms

Depending on the kind of loan, we offer short-term, intermediate-term and long-term repayment periods.

The length of a loan repayment can range from one month to 30 years, depending on the loan program and rate selected.

Good financial management dictates that loan terms correspond to the life of the operation or asset being financed. For example, seed, fertilizer and other agricultural operating expenses are “used up” when the crop is grown, while items with a very long life, like farm real estate, can support longer terms.

Read about the loan term options that may be right for you, then ask us for more information about the particular loan you need for your operation or country lifestyle.

Short-term Loans (12 months or less)

Short-term loans are intended to cover operating expenses.

  • Labor, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, equipment repairs and custom work
  • Feed, electricity and veterinary costs
  • Other general operating costs
  • Family living expenses, including college expenses

The interest rates for these loans are competitive. The interest rate options include fixed rates, prime based variable rates and variable rates (indexed to LIBOR).

Intermediate-term Loans (1 year to 10 years)

Intermediate-term loans are for amortization terms of 1 to 10 years.

The interest rates for these loans are competitive. The interest rate options include fixed rates, balloon rates, adjustable rates (1, 3 or 5 year), and variable rates (indexed to LIBOR).

Long-term Loans (up to 20 years)

Long-term loans are for amortization terms up to 20 years, or even 30 years if the loan is related to the borrower's primary home.

The interest rates for these loans are competitive. The interest rate options include fixed rates, balloon rates, adjustable rates (1, 3 or 5 year), and variable rates (indexed to Prime or LIBOR).