Title 7AgricultureRelease 119-73

§1981b Farm loan interest rates

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 50— - AGRICULTURAL CREDIT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › § 1981b

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a borrower delays, combines, or changes payments on a farm ownership, farm operating, or disaster emergency loan (under subchapters I, II, or III) that is not a guaranteed loan, the loan must still charge interest on the original balance for the original loan term. The interest rate must be the lowest of three: the original rate; the rate the Secretary charges for the same kind of non‑guaranteed loan when the borrower applies; or the rate the Secretary charges when the change is made.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §1981b

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any loan for farm ownership purposes under subchapter I of this chapter, farm operating purposes under subchapter II of this chapter, or disaster emergency purposes under subchapter III of this chapter, other than a guaranteed loan, that is deferred, consolidated, rescheduled, or reamortized under this chapter shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, bear interest on the balance of the original loan and for the term of the original loan at a rate that is the lowest of— (1)
(2)the rate being charged by the Secretary for loans, other than guaranteed loans, of the same type at the time at which the borrower applies for a deferral, consolidation, rescheduling, or reamortization; or
(3)the rate being charged by the Secretary for loans, other than guaranteed loans, of the same type at the time of the deferral, consolidation, rescheduling, or reamortization.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title III of Pub. L. 87–128, Aug. 8, 1961, 75 Stat. 307, known as the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1921 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2002—Pub. L. 107–171 substituted “lowest of—” for “lower of”, realigned margins for pars., substituted “original loan;” for “original loan or (2) the”, added par. (2), and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Adjustment of Interest Rates Pub. L. 100–71, title I, July 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 428, provided that: “The Secretary may adjust interest rates on existing nonsubsidized loans if he determines such interest rates are excessive in relation to prevailing commercial rates for comparable loans: Provided, That such rate adjustments shall constitute a change in the loan agreement and not a new loan.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 1981b

Title 7Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73