Since the 2008-2009 recession, farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, rural homeowners and other borrowers have enjoyed record-low interest rates for their short- and long-term debt. The Federal Funds rate has effectively been zero from early 2009 to late 2015. The Fed Funds rate is the short-term interest rate set by the Federal Reserve and upon which other short-term U.S. interest rates are based. However, interest rates are rising as the Federal Reserve adjusts monetary policy. The Federal Funds rate increased once in 2015 and 2016 but three times in 2017. In 2018, rates adjusted higher four times. The chart below illustrates the effect of the Fed Funds rate increases as you see the gap between long-term and short-term rates continues to decrease. Now is a good time for borrowers to understand and minimize the potential effect of rising interest rates on their operations. Call your FCS Financial loan officer today to discuss interest rate risk and options available including fixed rates.