Cody Frey
"They have people that know the agricultural business and know the business that we are in."
Cattle producer Cody Frey started building his farming operation after college in 2005. Today, he raises cattle and owns Creston Livestock Market. His relationship with Iowa State Savings Bank began with his dad’s encouragement and has continued for more than 20 years.
Growing the Herd
"I started working for my dad in 2005 right out of college at Creston Livestock Auction and started taking care of his cow herd, then eventually growing my own cow herd. My dad was one who brought me in to Iowa State Savings Bank. He liked Kevin and said, 'we need to do some business over there.' I'm glad I did. I started with the bank in 2005 when I got my first cattle loan and I've been with them ever since.
I then bought my first farm in 2010 over in Lorimor. Later on, I purchased most of the cows from Dad, and now I’ve purchased the farm. Iowa State Savings Bank has helped me as much as anybody grow to where I am today. They’ve been there the whole time and there's no reason to change."
Creston Livestock Market
Alongside his farming operation, Cody runs Creston Livestock Market, where bringing buyers and sellers together depends on strong customer relationships.
"Creston Livestock Market (formerly known as Creston Livestock Auction) has been in our family for 27 years. I purchased the Creston Livestock Market in 2019, and it's been awful good to us. We get a lot of loyal, good customers in the area.
Our busy season is November through April. We have special feeder calf sales on Wednesdays, and we sell our weigh cows on Fridays. Advertising is a huge part of what we do. We call all the buyers we can get, we're on three or four different radio stations for big sales, and social media and the internet. We do everything we can to get buyers for all the sales to make sure everyone knows you're there.
It's no different than the bank. I mean you have to trust the people you're doing business with."
Loyalty Matters
"The reason that I've always stayed at Iowa State Savings Bank is that they have always been loyal to me. They have people that know the agricultural business and know the business that we are in. You have to trust people that you're doing business with and I feel comfortable with the people I'm doing business with at the Iowa State Savings Bank.
They have good customer relations and have been around there forever. You walk into the bank and it's the same people loaning you the money about every time."
Cody's Advice
If you're looking for a bank, look for people that know the business that you're wanting to get into and will work with you. There'll be a day and time everything probably doesn't work, and they have to believe in you as much as you believe in what you're doing. That's what Iowa State Savings Bank has done for me.
-Cody Frey
Your operation deserves people who know agriculture
From your next cattle purchase to your next piece of ground, work with local ag lenders who take the time to understand your operation and help you explore your financing options.
