Evaluation of Restructuring Alternatives for the Banks for Cooperatives

The farm financial crisis, combined with deregulation of the U.S. banking system, has created a new environment within which the Farm Credit System competes. Despite their unique business clientele, the Banks for Cooperatives (BCs) have been adversely affected by this changed environment. In 1987, the BCs requested an economic analysis of possible consolidation alternatives, with emphasis on the economies of size they might achieve. Summary results of that analysis are presented here. A 47 basis point reduction in interest rates charged borrowers was estimated to result from a total consolidation of the BCs.