AgFuture RateSmart
Loan Program
The AgFuture RateSmart program allows young, beginning and small producers to earn 1% off the interest rate they would naturally qualify for by completing our Borrowing Basics course through the AgFuture RateSmart Portal.
AgFuture RateSmart Portal
Program Details
Applicants must complete the Borrowing Basics online course to earn a 1% rate reduction. Borrowing Basics includes courses on The 5 Cs of Credit, Information Required When Borrowing, Understanding Financial Statements, Setting Realist Financial Goals and Types of Loan Products and should take less than three hours to complete.
Those interested in obtaining financing in the near future are encouraged to start working towards their AgFuture RateSmart interest rate reduction by enrolling in the program and completing the Borrowing Basics course in anticipation of a new loan request. Credit can be extended for any ag-related purpose.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the AgFuture RateSmart Program, applicants must qualify in at least two of the following categories:
- Young: Applicant is age 35 or younger on the date the loan is originally made.
- Beginning: Applicant has less than 10 years of farming/ranching experience.
- Small: Applicant normally generates less than $350,000 in annual gross sales of agricultural products.
Only new loans or refinances are eligible (subject to Western AgCredit loan approval). Qualifying program participants must be individually liable or a partial owner of a borrowing entity and actively participating in daily operations and management decisions. Customers utilizing the AgFuture Microloan Program are ineligible.
To register, go to the AgFuture RateSmart Portal (located above), take the “Borrowing Basics” course and start tracking your education credits.
Program Terms
The rate reduction will be applicable for a maximum of five years. There is a program cap of $500,000.00 (outstanding principal and available commitment) that will be eligible for a rate reduction.
Non-customers are eligible to enroll and work toward eligibility for future rate reductions. Participation in the program does not guarantee future loan approval. Final loan approval is subject to eligibility and loan approval. If you have eligibility questions or would like to apply, please contact your local branch or click on the loan inquiry button below.
