News
Oklahoma AgCredit, the state’s largest agricultural lending cooperative, will pay its members a record $14 million Patronage return this month. This Patronage return reduces the average member’s interest rate by one percent.*
“There’s no other organization, that I am aware of, that’s a financial lender where you have this opportunity…we were with a regular bank for the first 18 years and the gamechanger for us was Oklahoma AgCredit. If we would have switched earlier, we would be in a much different position now.” Chickasha Customer
When a farmer, rancher, agribusiness owner or rural homeowner opens a loan with Oklahoma AgCredit, they become a member of the cooperative. As a member, they have an opportunity to share in the cooperative’s financial success through the Patronage Program. Oklahoma AgCredit distributes returns based on the amount of interest expense on each member’s loan(s).
Since the Patronage Program was initiated in 1997, Oklahoma AgCredit members have received almost $100 million in Patronage returns. With a capital position of more than $344 million, Oklahoma AgCredit has the risk-bearing capacity to provide reliable, consistent credit to Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers in good times and in bad.
“Our Association remains financially efficient and continues to grow each year, all thanks and gratitude to our loyal cooperative members and dedicated staff,” says Gary Bledsoe, Board Chairman. “Oklahoma AgCredit’s Board of Directors made it an earnest endeavor to achieve a one-percent interest rate reduction – and we have finally accomplished that through this year’s $14 million Patronage return!”
Patronage Open Houses are held every April for members to pick up their checks, register to win a raffle item and share lunch with staff and other members. Open House dates for 2023 are:
April 4th – Ardmore, McAlester, Stillwater
April 5th – Kingfisher, Stigler, Muskogee, Idabel
April 6th – Durant, Poteau, Stilwell, Chickasha, Enid
April 11th – Shawnee, Watonga
April 13th – Broken Arrow
April 14th – Pawhuska, Pauls Valley
April 17th – Vinita
April 21st – Duncan
“We’re more than your lender,” said Patrick Zeka, President / CEO. “Our record Patronage not only signals the strength of the association, but also demonstrates the appreciation we have for our members’ financial partnerships. Our members entrust us with the most important aspects of their lives – their families, careers, homesteads, multigenerational acreage and assets, and purpose for getting up each day. Oklahoma AgCredit does not take that responsibility lightly.”
Oklahoma AgCredit Branch Managers with the record $14 million Patronage return check.
(L to R) Marty Meyer (Enid), Kelly Crissman (Pauls Valley), Brent Thompson (Chickasha / Duncan / Shawnee), Lane Winter (Kingfisher / Watonga), Travis Hanks (McAlester / Poteau), Ryan Luter (Stillwater), Beau Sheffield (Broken Arrow / Pawhuska), Michael Robinson (Vinita), Steve McIntyre (Ardmore / Durant / Idabel), David Rodden (Muskogee)
About Oklahoma AgCredit
Oklahoma AgCredit supports rural Oklahomans in 60 counties with reliable, consistent credit. A proud member of the Farm Credit System, the cooperative serves agricultural producers and rural landowners with combined assets over $1.9 billion and a portfolio more than 6,500 loans. Headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma AgCredit has 18 full-time lending offices and a number of weekly contact points. Visit okagcredit.com or call
866-245-3633 for more information.
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Only eligible borrowers will receive Patronage. Borrowers who are not eligible: 1) opted out of receiving Patronage; or 2) any loan in active non-accrual status at year end; 3) have a construction loan. Borrowers who are eligible for patronage and 1) the check distribution is a minimum of $50; 2) the loan is delinquent; 3) distributions between $10 and $49.99 are applied to an active loan(s). Patronage less than $10 is not distributed. Please contact your local branch if you have questions about Patronage eligibility. Branch contact information can be found at okagcredit.com.