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01/06/2023
With the eleven staff in Rabobank’s Tamworth branch enjoying over 150 years of combined experience, rural banking teams don’t come much stronger.
As a bank focussed solely on agriculture, Area Manager Phillip Judd said the Tamworth team were all passionate about supporting local farmers, and being a part of their journey.
“Some of our account managers have been in the team for 20 years, working with the same clients for the entirety, and you just can’t replicate that experience.”
“It’s this longevity of service that affords a unique and deep understanding of a client’s farm business, their family, and what they’re trying to achieve.”
This depth of knowledge and stability, Phillip believes, also ensures a streamlined process when farmers need to move in a hurry.
“We know that when it comes to growing an operation and acquiring land, people need to pull out all stops, and we can do that, we have formed great relationships across the bank to ensure things move fast.”
And most importantly, within the branch he said the team environment was hard to beat.
“We all get along well, we have a laugh and we are all very like-minded in our dedication and vision for ag, and our local Tamworth community.”
A team dedicated to the region
From the Liverpool Plains, across to Walcha and the Port Macquarie coast, up to Barraba, Boggabri and Coonabarabran, across to Coolah, Cassilis, Merriwa and down through the Hunter Valley, the Tamworth team covers a diversity of regions, commodities and industries
Servicing traditional grain growers and livestock producers, to cotton, dairy and poultry, Phillip said no two days were the same.
“We all agree that the best part of our job is getting out on farm, experiencing the season with our clients and helping them plan accordingly.”
Phillip described the past couple of seasons as ‘terrific’, and that the positive outlook across the whole rural community was an exciting time for all, however conceded that challenges lay ahead.
“Commodity prices, interest rates and input costs are starting to impact profits, but that’s what we’re here for.”
“We’re not just here for the good time, we’re here to help our clients ride out the tough ones together.”
Supporting personal growth and development
Offering value that extends far beyond finance, Phillip said Rabobank was dedicated to sharing knowledge, provide networking opportunities and helping upskill local farmers.
He said 48 clients from across the region joined over 1,600 fellow farming clients and industry leaders at the recent Rabobank Farm2Fork Summit, which showcased global and local experts sharing their learnings, personal experience and insights at Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal.
The Rabo Client Council is another unique platform adding value to local farmers and regional communities, and is a client-based committee which provides feedback and advice on where Rabobank funds can best be utilised – and delivered directly into the heart of communities.
“It’s a unique opportunity the Rabo Client Council has,” Phillip said. “It’s a local committee that is the bank’s eyes and ears on the ground ensuring funding is spent exactly where it’s most needed in a genuinely show of commitment to rural Australia.”
Financial Skills Workshops are one such Client Council initiative, with a series of workshops planned for the region in coming months.
The interactive, one-day Financial Skills Workshops aims to provide attendees with an understanding of financial statements and banking requirements, and how to interpret financial reports.
Running since 2018, the Financial Skills Workshops have already assisted 2,500 participants nationally upskill their financial literacy.
“Many of our next-generation farmers are highly educated, or have extensive on-farm experience, but the nitty gritty of understanding financial reporting and banking requirements is not always easy to access, which is why these workshops are so valuable.”
“From learning about equity, to running yearly comparisons or pinpointing exactly what data your bank needs when applying for a loan, there are very few opportunities to learn the practical financial basics of running a farm.”
For more information on these workshops, contact your local Rabobank branch.