Long-time Farm Credit veteran has held leadership positions in AgriBank Credit department since 2012.
ST. PAUL, Minn., Thursday, April 5, 2018 – Jerry Lehnertz has been named interim chief credit officer of AgriBank effective immediately. Lehnertz, who joined AgriBank in 2012, most recently served as vice president, Credit. In that role, he has served as vice chair of the Bank’s loan committee and was responsible for leading the commercial lending team.
“With more than 30 years at Farm Credit and demonstrated leadership at AgriBank, Jerry Lehnertz is uniquely qualified to lead our Credit function through a period of transition,” said Jeff Swanhorst, AgriBank CEO. “Jerry’s lending expertise, combined with his familiarity with AgriBank and his strong working relationships with the 14 Farm Credit Associations that are our customers and owners, means our credit activities will continue uninterrupted.”
Swanhorst, previously AgriBank chief credit officer, was named CEO effective April 2. A search has begun for a permanent chief credit officer. Until the position is filled, Lehnertz will also serve as an interim member of the AgriBank Executive Leadership Team. Lehnertz has decided not to pursue the permanent chief credit officer role, as he plans to retire from AgriBank within the next year.
Lehnertz joined AgriBank after approximately 10 years with the Commercial Finance Group in Minneapolis, where he had been senior vice president, Credit. He earlier held various positions with Farm Credit Services of Northwest Wisconsin, now part of Sun Prairie, Wis.-based Compeer Financial, an AgriBank owner. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business Administration with a minor in Finance from the University of Minnesota.
“I’m pleased to take on this interim appointment to lead the AgriBank Credit department,” Lehnertz said. “We have a talented team committed to serving our key role providing funding and financial solutions to Farm Credit Associations.”
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with nearly $105 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 14 Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. With about half of the nation’s cropland located in the AgriBank District and over 100 years of experience, the Bank and its Association owners have significant expertise in providing financial products and services for rural communities and agriculture. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.
Updated April 30, 2018