Nick Hartley stepped into his role as President and CEO of Alabama Ag Credit on January 1, 2025, bringing over 16 years of experience within the Farm Credit System and a deep-rooted passion for supporting rural communities. Originally from rural Georgia, Hartley’s career in agricultural finance has been shaped by a commitment to service, strong relationships and values grounded in faith, family and humility. Prior to joining Alabama Ag Credit, he served as Chief Lending Officer at AgGeorgia Farm Credit, where he helped drive growth and strengthen ties across the agriculture sector. Hartley is leading Alabama Ag Credit with a focus on innovation, long-term value for member-owners and staying closely connected to the farmers and families the organization serves.
Pull Quote: “We’re future-focused, and we’re actively looking for new ways to innovate so we can better serve agriculture and rural communities, not just today, but for years to come.”
What is Alabama Ag Credit union’s mission and what sets it apart?
Alabama Ag Credit exists to serve the people who grow, raise and sustain our communities, plain and simple. We’re a cooperative which means the folks we serve are also our owners. Our mission is to provide dependable, competitive financial services that support agriculture and rural living across Alabama. At the heart of it, we’re here to support the prosperity of farms and rural families, ensuring they have the resources they need to grow, adapt and succeed for generations to come. We aren’t a traditional bank with a broad portfolio across different industries. We’re specialists in rural lending, and that specialization means we understand the ups and downs of agricultural life in ways that big banks can’t. Agriculture and rural life operate differently, and we know that often means our borrowers need more than a one-size-fits-all solution, they need a real person who understands what they’re going through.
How do you stay informed about the changing needs of Alabama’s rural communities and producers?
I listen. That’s where it starts. I have regular conversations with our staff, our board of directors and especially our regional managers. These folks aren’t just managing, they’re deeply embedded in their areas. Many of them are producers themselves, and that’s true for a lot of our team. They live it, they feel the shifts in commodity trends and they understand the pressures our members face because they’ve faced them too. Nationally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give credit to the team in Washington, D.C. with the Farm Credit Council. They do outstanding work keeping us informed on national and global issues that impact not only Farm Credit, but the agricultural sector as a whole.
What are some of the biggest challenges currently facing your borrowers?
Interest rate volatility, rising input costs and policy uncertainty, like delays around the Farm Bill, are some of the biggest concerns our borrowers are facing right now. We’ve also seen commodity-specific pressures, particularly in areas like cotton and pine pulpwood. At Alabama Ag Credit, we’re responding with flexible loan structures, one-on-one financial guidance and a commitment to staying close to our members so we can adapt quickly when market conditions shift.
How is the bank leveraging technology or innovation to better serve clients?
We’ll be the first to admit, we’ve been behind the curve when it comes to technology, and we know it. That’s why we’ve made it a priority. We’re not just catching up; we’re setting our sights on being ahead. We’ve already started leaning into innovation in a big way. We’re rolling out electronic loan documents and e-signatures to speed up the lending process and cut down on delays. Internally, we’ve implemented AI bots to support employee training and help streamline how our team navigates policy and procedures. We’re also redesigning our website and improving our online banking, including launching a fully digital loan application. These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades, they’re designed to take friction out of the experience, save our members time and make doing business with us easier.
What are your top priorities in your first year as CEO of Alabama Ag Credit?
First and foremost, I want to foster growth, not just in numbers, but in people too. That starts by listening. I’ve made it a point to spend time with our employees, our members and our board to really understand the heartbeat of this organization and the communities we serve. Knowing our people and the places we work isn’t just good leadership, it’s essential to making the right decisions. At the same time, we’re pushing hard to modernize the way we do business, especially when it comes to technology. At the end of the day, my priorities are rooted in the same values that guide many of our members: Faith, Family and Farm Credit. If we stay true to those, we’ll not only grow, we’ll grow in the right direction.
How do you plan to balance the bank’s legacy with your own vision for its future?
The legacy of Alabama Ag Credit is one of resilience, service and community, and that’s a foundation I take very seriously. It’s not about changing who we are; it’s about strengthening what we’ve built. My vision is to expand our services and product offerings so we can meet the evolving needs of today’s producers and rural families. As we innovate, we’ll remain grounded in the values that have always defined us.
What leadership principles guide your decision-making in a role like this?
For me, it starts with something simple but powerful: treat others the way I want to be treated. That principle shapes how I lead, how I communicate and how I show up every day. I also believe deeply in listening before speaking. It’s amazing what you can learn when you slow down and genuinely hear what people are saying. I aim to lead with transparency and collaboration, and I try to surround myself with people who bring different perspectives and strengths. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do believe in asking the right questions and making sure we move forward together, with clarity and purpose.
- Recommended Read: Make the Rules or Your Rivals Will by G. Richard Shell.
- Who Would You Invite to Dinner: My paternal grandfather. I’d want to revisit his lessons, hear his take on the things I’m up against now and just soak in his perspective.
- Out of the Office: I really enjoy being outside, especially playing tennis. I also like working in the yard. But above all, I enjoy spending time with my family.
