Mar. 15/21 News Print Page

Lacombe, AB, March 15, 2021 – Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) will streamline its services by amalgamating four branches with neighbouring offices and reassigning staff to ensure sustainability and exceptional client service moving forward.

Four one-employee branch offices – High Prairie, High River, Rimbey, Smoky Lake – will amalgamate with larger, full-service offices in the same service areas. These one-employee offices provided limited services to a small numbers of clients. The newly amalgamated offices will provide increased support for AFSC clients and staff, while offering a full range of risk management and lending products for Alberta producers.

All impacted clients will be notified of the changes and immediately connected to a branch in close proximity to serve their needs. There will be no impact to client-facing branch staff.

“These are very difficult decisions,” shared AFSC CEO Darryl Kay. “AFSC has an ongoing responsibility to evaluate its operations and determine how we can improve to deliver more value to our clients and all Albertans. We are thankful for the relationships we’ve had in those communities. These decisions will not interrupt the relationship-based service clients expect from AFSC.”

In addition, AFSC announced two program changes, which will help support long term program sustainability. The Spring Price Endorsement will be discontinued effective immediately, and the 20 per cent top up payment for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, will be eliminated.

Last week, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen announced an increase to AFSC’s borrowing and lending limits, which is good news for Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and the value-added food processing industry. Together, these will continue to drive agricultural and agri-business economic growth in the province.

AFSC offers a number of online services through AFSC Connect or chat, phone availability branch team members or the Client Care Centre, in-person appointments (during COVID-19, as necessary), and on-farm face-to-face visits with COVID protocols in place.

AFSC encourages clients to contact their AFSC Relationship Manager or the AFSC Client Service Centre at 1.877.899.2372 to discuss any questions or concerns they have.