| NORMAL – 1st Farm Credit Services will maintain its Patronage Program, as a way to share profits with loan and lease client-owners.
The association plans to continue the program as currently implemented, which shares profits with patronage-eligible loan and lease clients.
A 2005 proposal, seeking approval to expand the program to include crop insurance income in the shared amount, will not be added, aligning with rulings by the Illinois Division of Insurance and the 2008 Farm Bill.
"Our Patronage Program is one of the benefits of being a cooperative owner of 1st Farm Credit Services," said President/CEO Gary J. Ash. "As a cooperative, we will continue to pay patronage as a way of returning a portion of profits to our owners."
The current loan and lease patronage program has returned $10 million to owners during the three years of the program.
In 2005, 1st Farm Credit Services submitted a written request to the Illinois Division of Insurance to seek approval of patronage payments based on crop insurance income. In February 2009, the Division issued a final opinion, finding that patronage based on crop insurance income would violate the state’s anti-rebating law.
1st Farm Credit Services has not paid patronage based on crop insurance income, and the Patronage Program will continue to comply with state and federal laws as currently implemented.
Learn More about the Patronage Program. |