ABA works on behalf of its agricultural and rural member banks to support economic development and growth for rural America's communities. ABA's positions include: opposing unfair competition by — and expansion of — the Farm Credit System (a government-sponsored enterprise); advocating for tax proposals that would encourage lending in rural areas by FDIC-insured banks; and promoting farm and rural development legislation that will increase the ability of banks to serve agricultural customers and their communities.

The Farm Credit System specifically is focused on an expansion-oriented agenda — the Horizons Project — that seeks to change the GSE's mission from helping meet the credit needs of bona fide farmers ranchers to lending to anyone, anywhere. This tax-advantaged, retail lending GSE competes directly with ABA member banks. ABA will be carefully monitoring and commenting on Farm Credit System developments.

Testimony

• Testimony of Matthew H, Williams before the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit   April 14, 2011 (PDF)
• Testimony of Jeff Greenlee before House Agriculture Conservation-Credit Subcommittee March 27, 2007 (PDF)
• Testimony of Dennis Everson before the Senate Agriculture Committee
  June 13, 2006 (PDF)
• Testimony of Gary Canada to the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives (PDF)
• Testimony of Dennis Everson on the FCS National Charter Proposal (PDF)

• ABA Letter to the Cleveland Federal Reserve 
  Refuting Inaccurate Chapter 12 History (August 26, 2010)
• For Bankers (PDF)
• For State Associations
• ABA Memo to Senate Agriculture Committee Opposing FCS Expansion (Oct. 2, 2007)
• Joint Letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Opposing FCS Expansion (Sept. 25, 2007)
• ABA Memo to House re Frank-Bachus Amendment (July 26, 2007)
• ABA-State Assn. Letter to House re Frank-Bachus Amendment (July 25, 2007)
• Joint Trades Letter to House re Frank-Bachus Amendment (July 24, 2007)
• Farm Eligibility and Scope of Financing for Farm Related Business
  Comment Letter
• FSA Comment Letters Needed By July 14
• ABA Comment Letter: Farm Credit Administration Proposed Rule On Termination
  of System Status Filed on March 10, 2006 PDF
• Comment Letter on Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
• ABA Comment Letter:
  FSA Guaranteed Loan Fees and Pledging FSA Guaranteed Loans June 23, 2004
• Oppose USDA, Farm Service Agency Proposed Family Farm Definition Sample Letter
• FCA Comment Letter Young, Beginning and Small Farmers PDF
• ABA Comment Letter, January 3, 2005 - Comment Letter - PDF
  FCS Loan Policies, Operations, Funding, Investments, Liquidity and Divestiture
• ABA Comment Letter on FSA PLP Program Flexibility and Payment of Accrued Interest During Chapter 7

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Questions? Please contact John Blanchfield for more information.