Food for Thought-December

How to Get Your Loan Decision Faster

Have you ever applied for a loan only have it sit on your lender’s desk for days without an answer?

Chances are this has happened to you. The reason for this could be the obvious- your lender is busy with other applications or possibly out of the office. There isn’t much you can do about this other than letting your lender know up front that you need an answer by a certain date so they can better accommodate your request.

More often than not, the reason for the delay is due to incomplete or inaccurate information that you provided your lender or your lender doesn’t have a clear picture of your operation. The quality of the information provided to your lender has a direct impact on whether or not your loan is approved. By providing the following information, you can help to ensure you get your answer sooner.

Introducing: Chris Parsons

1. Role at FFB: Agri Loan Officer

2. Family: I am married to my wife Ashley, and we have two daughters, Kennedy (10) and Macie (7)

3. Education: BBA with a Minor in Financial Planning, a Certificate in Trust, and an MBA with a Focus in Finance from Campbell University

4. Hobbies: Running, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with my family

5. What is your favorite thing about working at FFB? So far, the team. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone on the team. I also enjoy the opportunity that working at FFB allows me to meet new people and learn about their operations.

6. Do you have an unknown talent? I am really good at bad dad jokes.

7. Favorite place you have visited? My wife and I took a trip to Africa for our tenth anniversary. We spent some time in Cape Town and then went on safari. I was unsure what to expect, but I was amazed at how close we were to lions, rhinoceroses, and giraffes. We even had an elephant charge the vehicle we were on. On one late-night drive, we came across a pangolin, and I was amazed at how the stars looked under a sky that did not have unnatural light.

8. What is one thing you would like to learn more about? I want to learn more about everything constantly. I want to learn more about people, their operations, and their cultures.

9. Words you live by or funny story about you? A wise man once told me that no matter the situation, there can only be one of three outcomes: things are going to get better, they are going to get worse, or they are going to remain about the same.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (8 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4 thin slices fully cooked ham
4 thin slices Swiss cheese
8 bacon strips
2 large eggs
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Flatten chicken breasts to 1/8-inch. thickness; spread butter on the insides. Sprinkle with thyme. Top with a slice of ham and cheese; roll up tightly. Wrap each with 2 slices of bacon and secure with toothpicks.
In a small bowl, beat eggs and milk. Place flour in another bowl. Combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, oregano and cheese. Dip each chicken breast into egg mixture; dip into flour to coat. Dip each again into the egg mixture, then coat with crumbs. Place on a greased baking sheet
Bake, uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

Come See Us!

We plan on attending the following shows in 2023 and hope to see you there!

Farm & Ranch Show Schedule 2023-2024:

December 12-14: Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium

January 17-19: Fort Wayne Farm Show

February 1-3: Southern Farm Show

February 15-18: National Farm Machinery Show

February 23-25: New York Farm Show

More to come...