Helpful Facts About Colorado Agriculture And Ag Loans

Sunny days are ahead! For you and our beautiful state. Aren’t we fortunate that Colorado enjoys more than 300 sunny days a year? This bright, warmth describes Colorado’s nationally-recognized ranching, farming and agriculture community. Such excellent people to work and know! We are proud of our agriculture roots and our ag relationships spanning generations. At First National Bank Colorado, we deliver the sunny side of connecting ag resources and financial lending with your growing business and bright tomorrow.

We are proud to serve our local ag producers. These dedicated men and women contribute more than $100 billion every year to the United States’ economy. Right here in southeast Colorado, our farmers, ranchers and ag growers are our bright shining examples of great people who feed our nation and the world.

We are proud to work alongside our local ag family. Did you know:

• Southeast Colorado has long been one of the state’s most productive agricultural regions.
• Colorado agriculture in the southeast grows a large portion of the nation’s wheat, as well as sizable crops of alfalfa, corn, melons, peppers, and onions.
• There are nearly 3,000 farms in the area.
• Each year, Colorado farms in our area generate more than $7 billion in revenue.
• More than 5.2 million acres of farm and ranch land and agriculture industry in a six-county region.
• Our Rocky Ford growers produce a gazillion (not an actual stat) world-famous cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydew melons every year.
• Rocky Ford Canteloupe^TM have been grown in the Arkansas river valley since 1887.
• Colorado produces nearly 150 million pounds of onions each year.
• The Winter Livestock Auction and the La Junta Livestock Commission combined are the second largest cattle marketing center in the country.

Why We Are Your Clear Choice for Ag Loans

Many of us have been in your boots.

A sizable number of our bank employees, family members, friends and neighbors work in the local ag industry. Many folks in our community trust First National Bank Colorado’s lending expertise, so can you. We understand your questions  and concerns. Investing in your future through an ag loan should be a positive experience and not something that seems distant or foreign. We take the time to explain all the details and answer all your questions. We are here to serve you. We:

• Have worked with individuals, farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and ag producers since 1901.
• Understand elevation affects and extreme weather conditions in Colorado.
• Monitor and understand market fluctuations and the challenges of operating in Southeast Colorado.
• Are located conveniently. Our six, and soon-to-be, seven locations are close to you. And we welcome you to drop by, grab a cup of coffee, and chat.
• Offer online and mobile banking options, but we understand that sometimes a point and a click isn’t what you want. Come on in.

Reap the Benefits of Agriculture Business Lending

Our customizable loan solutions offer you a variety of flexible terms on loans including real estate, livestock, equipment and operating. We are the area loan experts for:

• Fixed and variable rate loans with the option of annual payments.
• Production loans, term real estate, livestock and feedlots, field, row and permanent crops.
• Farm equipment financing and farm and ranch land financing.
• Beginning farmer (CADA) or expansion of existing operations.
• Operating lines of credit.
• FSA guaranteed loans.

We help you prepare for tactical decisions that lower expenses and grow your business. We free you to spend more time focusing on your land and livestock and less time troubleshooting finances. When we discuss your ag loan possibilities, we put banking terms like underwriting requirements, borrower qualifications, and positive net worth in everyday, easy-to-understand language.

We’re like family and we communicate with honesty and integrity. We always have and always will. You might say, we cut the bull.

What You’ll Need to Start the Loan Process

There’s no need to haul in a truckload of paperwork to apply for an ag loan. We keep the loan application process simple.

Just bring in three years of tax returns and a current financial statement. We’ll review what type or types of loans may work best for you and discuss the collateral you will use to secure your loan. Our decisions are made locally to benefit our local communities and their families.

We keep things uncomplicated and straightforward and set you up on a personalized plan that allows you breathing room for seasonal cash flow cycles and rainy days. We strive to make a commitment to you and your ag loan no matter what the weather brings or what the future markets predict. 

Business Tips for First-time Farmers and Ranchers

If you’re just getting your boots on the ground in farming and ranching in the Arkansas Valley and nearby counties, we are here to help you with your production goals and profitability.

As decades-long ag lenders, we’d be glad to share insights about the timing and “do’s and don’ts” of investing in your business. So, until we get a chance to sit down and talk, you might want to consider these ag business tips:

• Ask questions from experienced ranchers and farmers.
• Know your financial goals and starting budget.
• Keep good records.
• Be content with small steps initially. Both crops and ag businesses take time to grow.
• We are here for you every step of the way. 

Our Sunny-Side-Up Relationship

We strive to stay as transparent and honest with you as possible while respecting your financial privacy. It’s your farm investment and agriculture future. We are here to help you grow and prosper and not get in your way. 

When you’re ready, let’s start a conversation about your agriculture plans and financial goals. Stop on by.

We’ll share ag loan information that will help you find the best solutions for your land, ag production, and family—for today and decades to come. And along the way, we’ll build a sunny-side-up relationship no matter how hot it gets or which way the wind blows across the local crops.