Agricultural banking

[boy jack]

Hi all.
Here in Norfolk we've lost our Barclays agricultural managers,and have to use a centralised agricultural team, no more discussing rates over coffee and hobnobs.
How are others getting on with banks and are they doing the same thing.
Cheers

 

[Suffolk Serf]

With NatWest, I had a Norwich based agricultural manager, for about 15 years, who was very good. They've moved him over to looking after recovering Covid affected small businesses.

 

[boy jack]

Was that Stewart Baxter?

 

[Steevo]

Still have a proper Agricultural Manager here.....not that I ever need to see or speak to him.

 

[boy jack]

Which bank are you with?

 

[Steevo]

Which bank are you with?

Apologies, just realised I forgot to say HSBC.

 

[BrianV]

Think the majority of us are very fortunate to have started out when we did, a friendly bank manager who often knew your family & would often lend with word of mouth over the phone. You have to feel sorry for youngsters starting out today with useless computerised bank procedures, call this progress you must be joking, there must be an opening for a good traditional bank who would surely clean up on business loans!

 

[Steevo]

Think the majority of us are very fortunate to have started out when we did, a friendly bank manager who often knew your family & would often lend with word of mouth over the phone. You have to feel sorry for youngsters starting out today with useless computerised bank procedures, call this progress you must be joking, there must be an opening for a good traditional bank who would surely clean up on business loans!

Sadly it's the same with so many businesses versions of "customer service". It's gone backwards fast.

 

[Werzle]

Hi all.
Here in Norfolk we've lost our Barclays agricultural managers,and have to use a centralised agricultural team, no more discussing rates over coffee and hobnobs.
How are others getting on with banks and are they doing the same thing.
Cheers

I think if you have borrowed alot of money you will still have a dedicated manager. Most banks are the same now though.

 

[d williams]

Hi all.
Here in Norfolk we've lost our Barclays agricultural managers,and have to use a centralised agricultural team, no more discussing rates over coffee and hobnobs.
How are others getting on with banks and are they doing the same thing.
Cheers

Same in wales

 

[boy jack]

My first bank manager looked like Arthur Lowe sitting behind a big desk moving through the on farm shooting types to the young enthusiastic app types all interested in farming and knowledgeable.
Seems odd that the banks can access a farming business over the phone.
Maybe I'm just old!

 

[Martyn]

Anyone using oxbury who advertised heavily on here. We are NatWest seam ok, we have a manager.

 

[steveR]

Anyone using oxbury who advertised heavily on here. We are NatWest seam ok, we have a manager.

I looked, but did not feel their rates were that wonderful for Saving.... No idea what the lending side will do.

 

[Av Gorritt]

When I started out mumble mumble years ago , Barclays had a manager who , most importantly would see you in his office with no notice , as a normal day to day thing . I was like a good many on and off here , a bit strapped for cash flow . I asked him one day for an overdraft of £3,00 to buy some cattle when they were still a bit cheaper waiting for Spring grass . He said "I won't ask for security , I call this a character loan , based on my assessment of you as a person . If you don't repay the money , no one will come chasing you , we'll just write it off to experience . Barclays DO NOT want the world to know that they have unreliable customers ." I paid it back within the stipulated period , and fortunately , I've never needed to ask again ., but somehow , I can't see a similar scenario applying today !

 

[Mc115reed]

With NatWest and you can’t even get a bank manager assigned too you unless you can show a certain level of turn over never mind a specialist agriculture manager... getting a phone call back off somebody with half a brain is hard enough never mind trying too explain too them how agriculture works

 

[d williams]

When I started out mumble mumble years ago , Barclays had a manager who , most importantly would see you in his office with no notice , as a normal day to day thing . I was like a good many on and off here , a bit strapped for cash flow . I asked him one day for an overdraft of £3,00 to buy some cattle when they were still a bit cheaper waiting for Spring grass . He said "I won't ask for security , I call this a character loan , based on my assessment of you as a person . If you don't repay the money , no one will come chasing you , we'll just write it off to experience . Barclays DO NOT want the world to know that they have unreliable customers ." I paid it back within the stipulated period , and fortunately , I've never needed to ask again ., but somehow , I can't see a similar scenario applying today !

A three pound overdraft and never needed since ???
There was some money in cattle then ??

 

[pappuller]

Anyone using oxbury who advertised heavily on here. We are NatWest seam ok, we have a manager.

We have asked them to quote for an upcoming project, had an on farm meeting with them to discuss, they seem enthusiastic but we shall see how competitive they are compared to our present bank.

 

[Pinnfield]

Llyods are a waste of space, unless you are turning over millions, no ag team for smaller farms just a commercial call centre in Scotland, seems like you have to chase them all the time to get anything done, most have no understanding of agriculture in any way shape or form, very frustrating!

 

[cattleman123]

Llyods are a waste of space, unless you are turning over millions, no ag team for smaller farms just a commercial call centre in Scotland, seems like you have to chase them all the time to get anything done, most have no understanding of agriculture in any way shape or form, very frustrating!

How strange...i find Lloyds excellent not that i am in contact with anyone much these days ...had a call couple months back asking if their was anything they could help with have the guys number he said call at anytime weekends or evening his phone is always on ,if it was not for them i always say i would not have very much...top top bank

 

[bigw]

Bank of Scotland here and we still have a local relationship manager who is really good.