The history of the Farm Credit system centers around providing reliable, consistent credit to farmers and ranchers. As part of this network of ag lending institutions, High Plains Farm Credit serves customers with local connection that’s backed by the privately-owned, secure funding of a nationwide cooperative.

The Farm Credit System

Strong, Secure, and Borrower-Owned

High Plains Farm Credit isn’t your average lender. Why?

As part of the Farm Credit system, we’re proud to offer a different experience to our borrowers — one that’s local to your community and market, while still supported by a strong nationwide system with more than $500 billion in assets.

But that’s just the beginning of what it means to join the cooperative.

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Understand the Farm Credit Structure…

in Under Two Minutes

Privately-Owned, Secure Funding

Associations of the Farm Credit System were established under a federal charter to provide sound and constructive credit to agricultural and rural America.

Fulfillment of that mission is funded by the sale of system securities on Wall Street. The unique structure allows proceeds to be channeled back to agricultural producers and cooperatives via individual Farm Credit associations.

Meanwhile, your financing is backed by solid, independent regulation and insurance — so you can borrow confidently.

Farm Credit is…

The system is one of six government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) created by Congress. GSEs are privately-owned corporations that help finance important sectors of the nation’s economy.

Farm Credit is chartered to serve farmers, ranchers, agricultural cooperatives, and farm-related businesses.

Unlike commercial banks, Farm Credit institutions do not take deposits. Instead, loans are financed by the sale of system-wide bonds and discount notes in our nation’s money markets. The Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation manages these sales and provides financial and advisory services.

Thanks to the size and strength of the system in partnership with its federal charter, institutions can obtain funds at favorable rates.

These securities are the joint and several obligations of all system banks and are purchased by commercial banks, thrifts, governments, investment funds, and individuals.

System institutions are subject to rigorous regulation by the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).

This independent regulatory agency of the federal government requires all Farm Credit institutions to meet risk-based permanent capital standards.

The Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) was established in 1987 to stand behind system institutions. Today, it is financed by the system and ensures payment to holders of Farm Credit securities in the event of future economic stress.

Structured to Serve

Meeting the financial needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, co-ops, agribusinesses, and rural home buyers requires a variety of Farm Credit institutions.

Explore the trade names under which associations operate!

Production Credit Association (PCA)

Provide short and intermediate-term loans for operating expenses, farm equipment, livestock, farm buildings, and other capital improvements. Loans typically have maturities of less than seven years.

Federal Land Credit Association (FLCA)

Provide long-term real estate and rural home mortgages. FLCAs also refinance existing mortgages and other debts.

Agricultural Credit Association (ACA)

Formed across the country through the merger of PCAs and FLCAs to offer the best of both worlds. ACAs offer short-, intermediate-, and long-term loans.

Providing Cooperative Benefits

The Farm Credit System is the only major agricultural lender owned by its borrowers. Our cooperative structure creates a unique set of benefits.

  • Availability of reasonably priced credit during good times and bad
  • Opportunity to make a stock investment in the association before receiving financial services
  • Ability to share a voice in the association during board of director elections
  • Access to the Patronage Dividends Program as a customer-stockholder