Lending Technical Assistance

Native Ag Underwriting School for CDFIs and all Underserved Lenders 

One of NAFS’ core missions is to provide financial assistance through lending, but to properly underwrite any agricultural loan, risk must be assessed and managed. Providing the producers who will be served by financial services providers with the financial

 and production training on risk management they need is critical to the success of the borrower and their ability to plan for and execute on their loan repayment plans, or for that matter, their participation in most of the other USDA programs focused on enhancing

 the farm and ranch safety net. The annual Native Ag underwriting school brings together an experienced team of educators from the Center for Farm Financial Management along with special guest trainers from the banking industry to train Native Ag lenders. Topics

 include:  

• Issues facing Native lenders 
• Native economic outlook 
• Credit analysis 
• Record keeping 
• Loan documentation and credit security 
• Guarantees and secondary markets 

The impact of this first-ever school is that the Native ag lender space will continue to thrive and expand with heightened skills over time, which will ultimately benefit each agriculture borrower among Native communities.