Omaha, Nebraska, –( March 31, 2008) – Farming and ranching customers of Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) will now be able to access their lines of credit the same way consumers use their credit cards for in-store, online and phone purchases.
The Omaha-based provider of credit to farmers and ranchers in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming is introducing the AgriBuySM Card, a new cash management tool that provides customers easy, quick access to their line of credit accounts.
“Customers can use the AgriBuy Card whenever and wherever a VISA® card is accepted,” says Craig Kinnison, senior vice president and chief financial officer with FCSAmerica. “They can make purchases easily and quickly – from local store merchants, online or by phone – without the need to write drafts or checks.”
Kinnison says VISA network member First Tennessee Bank National Association issues the AgriBuy Card. FCSAmerica’s objective with the arrangement is to give customers more convenient access to their lines of credit.
“Customers using the AgriBuy Card can save time needed to write drafts or checks for individual purchases,” he explains. “They can also get increased float time when they use the card because interest rate charges begin only when the card balance is swept to the line of credit. Plus, those balances may be eligible for patronage.”
Customers need not worry about late payment fees because of the automatic sweep feature, Kinnison adds, and they can monitor card activity online through their Account Access portal. He notes that the AgriBuy Card cannot be used for cash advance, ATM or international transactions.
More information about the AgriBuy Card is available at local offices or by clicking on the products and services tab on the FCSAmerica homepage and clicking on AgriBuy Card.
Sweepstakes Promotion Encourages Trial
To encourage customers to try the AgriBuy Card, FCSAmerica is introducing a sweepstakes program.
From April 1 through July 31, 2008, every time a customer uses the AgriBuy Card, he or she will be entered in the AgriBuy Card Sweepstakes for a chance to win a La Crosse Technology® weather station, a NorthStar pressure washer or a GarminTM GPS navigator.
Each of the 43 FCSAmerica offices will hold three random drawings for one of the prizes each month, in May, June and July. Entrants also will be eligible for the sweepstakes grand prize being given away in August – a Polaris® RANGER® utility vehicle valued at more than $10,000.
Additional details, including sweepstakes rules and eligibility, are available at local FCSAmerica offices or on this Web site.
Farm Credit Services of America is proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With 70,000 customers, assets of $12.9 billion, and a patronage program, FCSAmerica is one of the largest providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
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NOTE: Farm Credit Services of America is an equal opportunity lender. The AgriBuy Card is offered through the card issuer First Tennessee Bank National Association, a member of the VISA network.