Rooted in agriculture
since 1916
As a network of customer-owned businesses and the nation's premier source of rural financing, Farm Credit stands as rural america's steadfast partner. As a proud member of this network, Farm Credit Bank of Texas plays a pivotal role shaping the financial landscape of rural America across five states.
Overview: The Farm Credit System
Farm Credit curious? Discover how we support rural communities and agriculture by watching this video.
Texas Farm Credit District
12 associations. 5 states. 1 mission.
Each of our lending associations serves rural Americans in an autonomous, locally minded way — through reliable credit and community involvement alike.
We’ve served rural America for more than 100 years. Here’s a look at our history.
1916
On July 17, President Woodrow Wilson signs the Federal Farm Loan Act, creating a network of cooperatives to be a reliable source of long-term, fixed-rate credit for farmers and ranchers. The act establishes Federal Land Banks (FLBs) in 12 districts to provide funds to local, farmer-owned National Farm Loan Associations (NFLAS) that will serve as lending agents.
1917
The Federal Land Bank of Houston — a Farm Credit Bank of Texas forerunner — is chartered on April 3 to serve the Tenth Farm Credit District, now known as the Texas District. On May 22, the Van Alstyne National Farm Loan Association made the district’s first loan to North Texas farmers W.S. and Mary Smith.
Photo: W.S. Smith
1923
The Agricultural Credit Act of 1923 adds 12 district Federal Intermediate Credit Banks (FICBs) to address farmers’ and ranchers’ need for short-term credit. The FICB of Houston, another Farm Credit Bank of Texas forerunner, is established.
Photo: Federal Land Bank Presidents, 1923
1933
Legislation creates farmer-owned Production Credit Associations (PCAs) to make short-term loans funded by the FICBs, and other changes. Regulated by the new Farm Credit Administration (FCA), the Farm Credit System provides credit for all types of agricultural activities.
Photo: For many years, 430 Lamar St. in Houston houses the three district banks and district FCA office.
1971
The Farm Credit Act of 1971 expands Farm Credit’s products and services: including rural home mortgages, commercial fishing loans, and financially related services.
1979
Name change: Together, the Federal Land Bank of Texas, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Texas, and Texas Bank for Cooperatives become known as the Farm Credit Banks of Texas.
1982
Rapid growth in the 1970s created a need for more office space for the district’s banks. The Farm Credit Banks of Texas jointly move their headquarters from Houston to Austin.
1987
The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 outlines mergers and other changes to better meet borrowers’ needs and result in a leaner, stronger Farm Credit System. Mergers eventually reduce the number of System banks from 37 to four.
1988
The Federal Land Bank of Texas and the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Texas merge to form Farm Credit Bank of Texas.
1989
Farm Credit Bank of Texas purchases loans from another district Federal Land Bank, extending its charter to Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi (and a year later, New Mexico). Texas Bank for Cooperatives becomes part of the National Bank for Cooperatives, now CoBank.
1998
Bank stockholders approve the transfer of direct lending authority for long-term mortgages from the bank to its affiliated Federal Land Bank Associations. These FLBAs convert to direct lenders called Federal Land Credit Associations. Over the next few years, most merge with Production Credit Associations to become full-service lenders called Agricultural Credit Associations.
2002
The bank sells its first Austin headquarters building, freeing capital to generate revenue and setting the stage for greater operating efficiency and expanded services. It later leases its present headquarters in Austin.
Photo: A model of the three-tower structure at the groundbreaking ceremony held Oct. 18, 1983
2020
The bank names its first female CEO.
Present
Today, Farm Credit Bank of Texas is one of four wholesale funding banks supporting the Farm Credit associations that finance rural real estate, agribusiness, and agricultural production. We provide funding, technology and other services to 12 Texas District lending cooperatives in five states.
In your state: Making rural America better since 1916 – with stories to prove it.
Experience the rich diversity of agriculture. Select a state to learn about the Farm Credit mission and read diverse and unique ag stories.
Customer-owned, focused on rural America
Farm Credit’s cooperative structure helps us fulfill the critical mission assigned by Congress — supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financing services, today and tomorrow.