The Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently recognized First National Bank in Creston as the 2017 top lender of the year for their commitment to conservation practices.
The State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loans to Iowans to assist in projects to reduce runoff in Iowa’s waterways. The State Revolving Fund is jointly administered by the Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
First National Bank has assisted 44 landowners with the financing of water quality improvements through the State Revolving Fund. The program uses linked deposit accounts to reduce the interest rate charged to the borrower; the interest rate cannot exceed three percent. Terms can be up to 15 years and loan limits up to $500,000.
“I congratulate First National Bank on this well-deserved recognition,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. “Last year alone, the State Revolving Fund assisted hundreds of landowners through the State Revolving Fund’s linked deposit programs thanks to our outstanding lending partners and we look forward to assisting even more in the year to come.”
“The State Revolving Fund’s success is a testament to the partnerships with the hundreds of dedicated lenders and landowners throughout the state,” said Mike Naig, deputy secretary of agriculture. “I commend First National Bank for their outstanding work in their efforts to protect Iowa’s natural resources.”
“I want to thank First National Bank for their efforts to connect landowners with affordable financing for conservation projects,” said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp. “Lenders like them are doing their part to improve water quality which will help keep Iowa waterways clean for generations to come. I encourage any landowner with upcoming conservation projects to visit IowaSRF.com to learn more about program available to them.”
The State Revolving Fund features a variety of programs that offer low-interest loans to assist farmers, livestock producers, watershed organizations and others and are offered through participating lenders across the state. These programs have assisted more than 5,000 water quality projects in partnership with more than 500 participating lenders throughout the state since their inception. More information about the State Revolving Fund is available at IowaSRF.com.
