Download Locations:
Summary:
The Farm Credit System (FCS) is a nationwide financial cooperative lending to agricultural and aquatic producers, rural homeowners, and certain agriculture-related businesses and cooperatives. Established in 1916, this government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) has a statutory mandate to serve agriculture. Farmer Mac is a related but separate secondary market for agricultural loans. Federal oversight provides for the safety and soundness of FCS institutions. The FCS would like to expand its lending authorities for rural housing and non-farm businesses, as highlighted in its 2006 "Horizons " report, but commercial banks oppose this effort. This report will be updated.
