Code of Ethics and Charters

Financial Code of Ethics

The Bank and its directors, officers and employees have committed to conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical standards as set forth in the Standards of Conduct Policy, which is applicable to the directors, officers and employees relating to ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and compliance with the law.

This Financial Code of Ethics applies to the Chief Executive Officer & President, Chief Financial Officer, senior financial officers, and management associated with the financial disclosure process. The Bank is responsible for the preparation and distribution of its financial statements and related disclosures and for providing relevant information that is true, accurate and complete to the Funding Corporation for use in preparing the Farm Credit System financial statements and related disclosures.

The Bank expects all of its employees to act in accordance with the highest standards of personal and professional integrity in all aspects of their activities, to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, to deter wrongdoing and abide by its Standards of Conduct Policy and other policies and procedures adopted by the Bank that govern the conduct of its employees. This Financial Code of Ethics is intended to supplement the Bank's Standards of Conduct Policy.

You agree to:

1. Engage in and promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
2. A void conflicts of interest and disclose to the Bank Standards of Conduct Official or its confidential Ethics hotline any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict.
3. Take all reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of non-public information about the Bank and its customers obtained or created in connection with its activities and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of this information unless required by applicable law or regulation or legal or regulatory process.
4. Produce true, complete, accurate, and timely disclosure in Bank financial statements and related financial reports or communications as well as Bank reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, the Funding Corporation and the Farm Credit Administration.
5. Comply with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, as well as the rules and regulations of self-regulatory agreements to which the Bank is a party.
6. Promptly report any possible violation of this Financial Code of Ethics to the Bank Standards of Conduct Official or its confidential Ethics hotline and, if potentially material to the System financial statements, to the Funding Corporation General Counsel, Managing Director of Financial Management Division, or Chief Executive Officer or System Audit Committee.

You are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead the Bank's independent public accountant for the purpose of rendering the financial statements of the Bank misleading.

You understand that you will be held accountable for adherence to the Financial Code of Ethics. Your failure to observe the terms of this Financial Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Violations of the Financial Code of Ethics may also constitute violations of law and may result in civil and criminal penalties for you, your supervisors or the Bank. If you have any questions regarding the best course of action in a particular situation, the Bank Standards of Conduct Official should be promptly contacted. Any individual contacting the Bank Standards of Conduct Official may remain anonymous when reporting any possible violation of this Financial Code of Ethics.

January 2025

View/Print Financial Code of Ethics

Professional Code of Ethics

The Bank has adopted a Professional Code of Ethics which is applicable to every director, officer, employee, and agent of the Bank.  The Professional Code of Ethics reaffirms the high standards of business conduct required of, and provides guidance to, the Bank’s directors, officers, employees, and agents. A Conflict of Interest Disclosure form is also available for disclosing conflicts of interest. 

Anonymous Reporting

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank is committed to high standards of ethical, moral and legal business operations and having the confidence of its employees, shareholders, FCA, contractors and other relevant parties in this commitment. As such, we provide a confidential, anonymous reporting system as an alternate channel of communication for reporting suspected or actual wrongdoing, concerns and feedback. An independent, external party receives and processes the reports to ensure objectivity and anonymity.

Information may be reported through https://agfirst.ethicspoint.com/ or the hotline (833-220-9675).

• Accounting & Finance
• Claims & Benefits
• Conflict of Interest
• Corporate waste
• Discrimination
• Ethics
• Harassment
• Legal
• Regulatory
• Safety and Security

Once a report is submitted, a case number is assigned to provide a way for the reporter to check the status of their report and to be contacted anonymously for additional information, if needed.

Those using the reporting system are expected to make reports in good faith. AgFirst Farm Credit Bank strictly prohibits discrimination, retaliation or harassment against any individual who, in good faith, reports or who participates in an investigation of wrongdoing, concerns, or feedback.

Charters

Audit Committee Charter

The AgFirst Audit Committee is a committee that reports directly to the AgFirst Board of Directors. The Audit Committee has adopted a Charter specifically outlining the Committee's responsibility, membership, meetings, and specific duties. 

The Audit Committee Charter is available for public viewing here

Compensation Committee Charter

The AgFirst Compensation Committee is a committee of the AgFirst Board of Directors which is accountable to and reports only to the AgFirst Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has adopted a Charter specifically outlining the Committee's responsibility, membership, meetings and specific duties.

The Compensation Committee Charter is available for public viewing here 

Nominating Committee Charter

The AgFirst Farm Credit Bank Nominating Committee is elected by the AgFirst voting stockholder associations. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and nominating candidates for election to the AgFirst Board of Directors. 

The Nominating Committee Charter is available for public viewing here