First Financial Bank, based in El Dorado, AR, was named 2024’s Top Lender in the Agriculture category by the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA).
For the second year in a row, First Financial received the recognition in ICBA’s “more than $1 billion in assets” category.
First Financial Bank is an Allied Member of the National Chicken Council.
“We are humbled to be recognized by ICBA as the Top Ag Lender in the nation for 2024 in the $1 billion assets category,” First Financial Bank’s Managing Director of the Poultry Lending Division Ben Chandler said. “This distinction would not be possible without our customers, who’ve trusted us as their lending partner, and our team members, who’ve provided the dedication, expertise, and execution to earn this recognition.”
First Financial Bank offers farmers and ranchers a wide range of products and services, including financing for new farms, real estate purchases, equipment and building leasing options, expanding existing operations, equipment, supplies, and more. First Financial Bank is a Farmer Mac-approved lender, FSA Preferred Lender in all 50 states, and approved to offer SBA 7(a) loan products under SBA’s Preferred Lender Program. In addition to FFB’s Poultry Division, the bank offers a Farm and Ranch Division that provides customized financing solutions to farmers and ranchers across the United States.
“We are honored to be once again recognized by our peers as the Top Ag Lender in the nation,” First Financial Bank Managing Director of the Farm and Ranch Division Kathy Daily said. “Our lenders travel nationwide to meet with our customers at their homes, combines, barns, or wherever is most convenient for our customers. Our success belongs to our customers for their faith in us, their continued referrals, and our FFB team for their dedication.”
The ICBA Top Lender program recognizes banks that have demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities and to the industries they serve. Banks are evaluated on various factors, including their loan volume, involvement in agricultural organizations, and commitment to providing financial literacy education to their agricultural customers.
The bank’s press release can be found here.
