Farmlands defends card fee hike
A Farmlands shareholder is questioning the rural trader’s decision to more than double its annual card fee.
Todd Charteris, Rabobank New Zealand chief executive, says the decision follows the Reserve Bank’s announcement that it would cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 0.5%.
“We have carefully reviewed our position and are pleased to be able to pass on the full 0.50% rate reduction to our New Zealand food and agribusiness lending clients at this time,” Charteris says.
Additionally, Rabobank’s fixed rates within its All-In-One loan facility reflect daily changes in wholesale markets that had priced in the expected cuts to the OCR within the last month, he adds.
“These cuts will provide a welcome reduction in costs for New Zealand’s farmers and growers who have faced high interest and farm input costs over recent seasons,” Charteris says.
“Our September Rural Confidence Survey found farmer confidence in the broader agri economy is now on the up – off the back of higher commodity prices and lower interest rates – and this further rate drop should act as another boost to primary producer sentiment,” he concludes.
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