Flanagan State Bank is committed to agriculture and to our local farmers. Through our services, we want our farm customers to have a competitive edge over their peers. Our future success and growth hinges on the success and growth of our farm customers and potential farm customers-like you. We emphasize cash flow analysis in making loan decisions and improving your business.

Due to mergers and consolidations, farm customers are finding that loan decisions are seldom made locally anymore. Ag lending is often curtailed during "down cycles" by regional and national banks whose leaders don't understand the business. That isn't our way. Flanagan State Bank is truly a local lender, and our officers were born and raised in farming communities. We were founded in 1913 in Flanagan, Illinois and have been family-owned and operated since the 1930's. Our Ag Department covers a wide area of Central Illinois, and we now have branches in five different communities.

The Flanagan State Bank Ag Services Team understands today's complicated issues. Most areas of farming are changing quickly. Technological advances in equipment and seed, volatile markets, changing weather patterns, and the high cost of fuel and other inputs all make keeping on top of your cash flow vital. As an ag lender we are doing our best to prepare our farm customers to take advantage of these and other changes as they take place.

1. See How We Are Different!
2. FSA Operating Loans/Machinery Programs
3. IFA Loan Programs
4. Illinois State Treasurer Link Deposit Loans
5. Fixed Rate Agricultural Real Estate Loans
6. Locate an Ag Loan Officer
7. Flanagan State Bank’s Farming With a Future Ag News

See How We are Different!

At Flanagan State Bank we enjoy what we are doing, believe that there is a future in agriculture, and want every customer we serve to succeed. We truly believe we are different and would enjoy the opportunity to show what we can do for you. Here are a few of the advantages we offer:

• Summer farm visits are made to your farm to review cash flow, estimate yields, consider adjustments, and discuss future plans.
• At any time, we will work with you to prepare a loan trend analysis and accurate cash flow information to help you understand where you have been, where you are now, and where you are headed financially.
• From your cash flow information, we compute a per bushel breakeven analysis for use in your marketing plan.
• We encourage consideration of niche markets for specialty grains and livestock to improve returns.
• We can assist our farm customers in developing resume books to better market their operations to prospective landlords and farm managers.
• We give you our home & cell phone numbers and are eager to meet at your convenience - before or after normal business hours.
• We continue to seek information and educate ourselves on the latest innovations and products that will help you.
• We prepare and distribute a quarterly Ag newsletter entitled "Farming With A Future" that is available free of charge and features local and national Ag experts.
• We want to be your financial partner in both the positive and negative times of the farming business cycle, and we truly appreciate your business!

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FSA Operating Loans/Machinery Programs

Flanagan State Bank uses the Farm Service Agency (FSA) guaranteed loan programs in Livingston, Woodford, LaSalle, McLean, and other central Illinois counties to offer a reduced rate of interest for beginning farmers and customers with tighter cash flows. Interest can be reduced 4% for those who qualify, with loan limits per borrower. These loans are guaranteed by the federal government and therefore do not require a family guarantor or co-signer. Contact one of our Ag Lending Officers for more information.

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IFA Loan Programs

Flanagan State Bank participates in all programs which the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) has developed for the benefit of Illinois farmers. These loans include: specialized livestock guaranteed loans that are intended for the expansion and development of livestock farms; the Young Farmer Guarantee Loan for the purchase of machinery and/or real estate without a cosigner; and the most popular, the Beginning Farmer Bond Program. This program uses tax-exempt bonds to reduce the interest expense to a farmer who meets certain requirements for qualification. Contact one of our Ag Lending Officers for more information.

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Illinois State Treasurer Link Deposit Loans

Flanagan State Bank knows that agriculture is a major component of Illinois' economy, and lending operational and long-term money at a rate that is attractive to farmers assists in keeping the agriculture backbone of Illinois strong. A borrower may receive these loans by completing a simple application form with Flanagan State Bank and certifying that he/she will be using the funds for goods and services related to the production of agriculture products or alternative agriculture products. These loans have limits per borrower & operation for operating money and per operation for machinery purchases. Contact one of our Ag Lending Officers for more information.

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Fixed Rate Agricultural Real Estate Loans

Flanagan State Bank offers fixed rate real estate loans, in partnership with Farmer Mac, for maturities ranging between 7 and 25 years. The Farmer Mac loan programs offer competitive rates and terms for both conventional loans and FSA Guaranteed loans. Contact one of our Ag Lending Officers for more information.

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Locate an Ag Loan Officer

Doug Raber

Doug Raber, a lifetime resident of the Flanagan/Gridley area, has worked for Flanagan State Bank since early 1999. Doug graduated from Chenoa High School and the University of Illinois. After graduation he worked as a custom applicator for Livingston Service and as a crop consultant for Midwest Consulting Services.

Doug is the Agricultural Lending Officer and Branch Manager for the Flanagan branch. Doug and his wife Amy have two children, Addison and Jacob, and live on the family farm. They also actively farm which helps Doug stay up to date with current trends and technologies and provides valuable practical management experience to better serve Flanagan State Bank customers.

Rich Ritter

Rich Ritter has worked for Flanagan State Bank since 1995. Rich is Senior Vice President, Agricultural Lending. He has over 23 years experience as an Ag lender between Farm Credit, Peoples Bank & Trust and Flanagan State Bank. Rich grew up in rural Blue Mound, Illinois on a farm. His dad was a tenant grain farmer; Rich helped produce and market corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs, beef, chickens, eggs, milk and butter. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Millikin University.

Rich has been involved with many activities in the Ag industry and his communities. He served a two-year term as one of two lenders in the U.S. appointed by the USDA as a member of the "National Committee for Young Farmers." In 1994 Rich created the "Farming With A Future" newsletter that is mailed quarterly by Flanagan State Bank to over 1,000 farmers and landlords in central Illinois. Rich has also been very active in the communities he serves. He has been involved with Lions, Rotary, Optimist, Kiwanis, "Just Say No", FFA, county fairs, Agri-Ability Unlimited, Dale Carnegie, youth sports coaching, livestock judging, and promoting both Ag and pork.

Rich is married and lives in Flanagan, Illinois. He and his wife Carol have two sons. Rich has tried to pattern his life after the great innovator John Deere, who once said, "I will not put my name on anything unless it is the best from within me." Rich wants to continue to grow each day and make a positive impact on those around him.

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