Q&A with Brendan Feder, Vice President and Business Development Officer at Zions Ag Finance*
INTERVIEW BY DEBRA GELBART
Tell us about your professional background and what you do in your current job.
If you could share one piece of professional advice, what would it be?
1
3
I grew up in Chico, California, and was raised in an agricultural business environment. With my sights set on a career in agriculture, I attended UC Davis, where I played football and obtained my bachelor’s degree in agricultural and managerial economics. Upon graduation, I worked for a national bank in their ag lending group. After four years, I went to work in production agriculture for companies that grew, packed and shipped fruit and other tree crops. I also went back to school in the evening to obtain my master’s degree in agricultural business from Fresno State. During my stint in agricultural production, I worked in financial and administrative roles, from CFO to running a packing house. I worked in this area for 16 years and then went back to the agricultural lending side. In my current role as business development officer, my focus is on developing relationships and opportunities to bring business to Zions Ag Finance. I’m in the process of trying to expand awareness of Zions Ag Finance as a resource within California Bank & Trust and beyond for those who might have agricultural financing needs.
My advice for anyone who wants to get into the agriculture lending space is to get your hands dirty. I believe my years in production agriculture gave me tremendous insight into the trials and tribulations that farmers must deal with. There are opportunities for college graduates to enter the workforce by working for larger farming operations that need help either with agronomy, production, or financial and administrative tasks. Right now, knowledgeable agricultural lenders are hard to come by. The bottom line: Be a student of the industry. It’s always changing, and you need to keep learning.
What has been your favorite experience in your current role?
4
My favorite experience has been taking on a new role that was just established in 2017. When I came on board, there was no book of business to inherit, no Rolodex from a previous banker. It was a very entrepreneurial undertaking, building the position from the ground up. As of 2023, I have built the second largest portfolio within the department.
What do you like best about working with California Bank & Trust?
5
Are most of your clients farmers and ranchers? Or are they in other professions, as well?
2
I get to interact with some of CB&T’s bankers when they contact me about a client or a prospect who might need some long-term financing. I’m humbled that I’m brought to the table to help a CB&T banker who wants to do what’s right for their client. *California Bank & Trust is an affiliate of Zions Bancorporation, N.A., and agriculture loans are facilitated through Zions Ag Finance.
My client base is a mix. Those who borrow more than $5 million are mostly full-time farmers. We also cater to smaller farmers, 50% of whom have an occupation other than farmer. These clients can be doctors, attorneys, correctional officers and tech industry professionals, to name a few.
32
IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker