Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome, folks.
Pam--I'll say your first name because it's easier to pronounce than your last--on your point about Farm Credit, this is something I've been hearing for quite a number of years, and from the banks. I'm surprised the banks haven't mentioned it. There seems to be a concern that Farm Credit is getting into more markets. Competition is fine, but I hear on the ground that their objective is to go after the lower-risk loans and attract more secure money, and they're not in the business of the high-risk loans for which they were originally established. Farm Credit began as a lender to assist in the more high-risk field, and I know things have changed over the years and they have to go to the market for money.
So what's your view on that? Is what I'm hearing correct or wrong? Does anybody from the bank want to make a comment?