Displaying items by tag: banks

OPINION: High farm debt levels have cast a shadow over the Ministry for Primary Industry's positive predictions for agriculture in 2020.

The Minister of Agriculture has entered the debate on the actions of the banks labelling them as fair-weather friends.

OPINION: The news that most banks are pulling back or taking a more cautious approach to lending to the rural sector should come as no surprise.

A cost of $6000 for mediation between an indebted farmer and a bank would be at the lower end of the cost spectrum, says Federated Farmers sharemilkers chairman Richard McIntyre.

Support is growing from farmers all around New Zealand for a petition currently before Parliament for a select committee inquiry into banks’ conduct.

A dairy farmer and mayor of a town hit by a double whammy of bank branch closures says the loss of a bank can change the perception of vibrancy and wealth in a rural town.

With the dairy payout remaining stubbornly low and equity positions becoming more precarious many farmers are seeing more of their bank manager, says Crowe Horwath's head of corporate agribusiness, Hayden Dillon.

Readjust, stick with your banks and keep supporting your dairy company; things will come right.

The banking system is robust to a severe dairy stress test.

The Primary Industries Minister needs to stand up for farmers during tough times rather than rolling over for banks.