Elders Financial Services remains focused on rural customers
Retention of resources and access to services is a well-known battle for small, regional towns.
Despite technology making remote banking possible, Elders Financial Services is remaining committed to rural customers by enhancing its network of locally based agri finance managers.
Elders’ South Zone Agri Finance Manager Jonathon Hewitt said supporting local was a priority for Elders.
“Farmers and regional communities have always faced geographical barriers, often being forced to travel to access fundamental resources such as medical treatment and education,” he said.
“The departure of everyday resources from small rural communities hurts and damages the fabric of small towns such as those in the Wimmera. It’s not a trend that Elders would like to see continue and we’re committed to doing what we can for communities by offering agricultural loans and deposits via our distribution relationship with Rural Bank.”
Mr Hewitt said being an agribusiness was a distinct advantage in this regard, because Elders understood that being part of and present in a community was fundamental to the success of a working relationship between the farmer and the service provider.
Mr Hewitt said he considered this important to understanding the local challenges faced by primary producers, including seasonal conditions and variable commodity prices, and the impacts they had on finances.
“Commitment to a high level of customer service and loyalty to our communities is what Elders is about,” he said.
“The challenge we face is that many people do not know we have a banking offering sitting right alongside our better known businesses like farm supplies or livestock,” he said.
Elders General Manager of Financial Services Liz Ryan said Elders was in an excellent position to help clients.
“Elders is firmly entrenched in the communities of our clients. We understand the burden of travel for farmers and are committed to offering on-farm consultation,” she said.
“Banking is a business based on relationships. Dealing with a real person, face-to-face, is a crucial part of building this relationship and is mutually beneficial for both parties.
“Contemporary technology solutions like mobile banking applications, phone and internet banking, are offered to complement local knowledge and on-farm service. We think it’s important to offer options for our customers to facilitate both convenience and personal service.”