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Payment Options

We have several ways you can make payments on your loan—all with the goal of finding what works best for you. As a rule, whenever you make a payment on your loan, the amounts due (e.g. principal, interest, escrow and/or fees if applicable) are paid first before additional principal can be paid.

Four ways to pay

Choose the payment method that’s right for you:

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Automatic Payments

(Preauthorized Transfer Payments or PAID)

Automatic Payments
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Online Banking

Use our website or mobile apps

Online Banking
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Use Your Debit Card

Pay online or by phone

Use Your Debit Card
Icon of paper check payment

Pay by Check

Mail or drop off at your local office

Pay by Check

Option #1 (Recommended): Automatic Payments (Preauthorized Transfer Payments or PAID)

If you’d like to be set up on automatic payments, please contact our Customer Care team Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–7:00 pm Eastern time at 1-855-800-7976, or by email at [email protected]. They’ll take care of setting this up and can walk you through the next steps.

Some customers set this up at closing. If you’d like to verify if you have automatic payments set up, please contact Customer Care using the contact information above.

Please note: To participate in automatic payments, your loan must be current.

Option #2: Online Banking

Customers who have registered on our Online Banking website or apps can make payments through those platforms.

Have a question? Browse our Online Banking FAQ page.

Not registered yet? Here’s how to enroll:

  1. Step 1: Go to OnlineBanking.Rural1st.com and select “Register.”
  2. Step 2: Enter your Social Security Number, account/loan number, and customer/CIF number on the secure page. You can find account numbers in your closing packet or by contacting Customer Care at 1-855-800-7976 or emailing [email protected].
  3. Step 3: Verify your identity via phone by selecting either a text message or phone call and entering the confirmation code received.
  4. Step 4: Set up your password and select “Register.”

Have an online banking account through Farm Credit Mid-America? Find registration steps and more information on the Farm Credit Mid-America Online Banking support page.

Timing for Online Banking Payments

For Rural 1st customers, Online Banking payments must be made by 4:00 pm Eastern time to begin processing the same day. After that time, they will be posted on the following business day. This is extremely important to keep in mind as you consider your loan payment due date.

Option #3: Use your Debit Card

Customers who prefer to use a debit card can make payments online or by phone.

Pay Online

If you want to use your debit card in place of writing a check, please use our payment processing tool! It’s a simple, easy way to pay your bill online with same day processing. You can learn more about our payment solution or, if you’re ready, use our payment solution now.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to pay over the phone, we have a payment processing phone line that allows you to use your debit card to make a payment. Please dial 1-855-208-5089, select option 3, and follow the prompts.

You can use your debit card connected with your checking account to make the payment in place of writing a check.

We recommend card payments be made by 4:00 pm Eastern time to post the same day. After that time, they will be posted on the following business day. This is extremely important to keep in mind as you consider your loan payment due date.

Option #4: Pay by Check

Customers who prefer to pay by check can mail their payments or drop them off at their local office.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to pay by mail, our payment processing center is the best option. Please mail your payment to our payment processing team using the PO Box Address on your Rural 1st billing statement (also listed below).

Please ensure you include the completed perforated payment coupon (which is included at the bottom of your statement) along with your check. The completed payment coupon is how we know to apply your payment once we receive it.

Please mail payments to:

Rural 1st
PO Box 740597
Cincinnati, OH 45274

Drop Off at the Office

If you prefer to bring a check into your local office, our retail teams can assist you.

Please drop off, or bring in, your payment and completed payment coupon (the bottom perforated portion of the bill) for our teams to assist.