Farm supply/equipment vendors are increasingly providing full- season credit to farmers, with the captive finance companies emphasizing their one-stop shopping convenience to win business. The companies guard against risk by dealing only with trustworthy customers, requiring a first lien on the inventory, financing only liquid assets, and requiring evidence of repayment. Banks can compete with these companies by stressing bank flexibility. With a bank loan, the borrower has a choice in where to buy inventory and how to use the loan money.