Interra Adds Commercial Lender Austin Christner to new Interra Business Center
April 20, 2026 – Randy Lehman, Director, Head of Commercial Lending, is pleased to add Austin Christner as a Commercial Lender to the newly created Interra Business Center, where a commitment to community, service, and financial expertise continues to drive meaningful impact.
Serving as a Commercial Lender, Christner brings a diverse professional background and a passion for helping businesses thrive. Since joining Interra, he has played a role in several significant initiatives, including contributions to the organization’s Auto Securitization project. In 2025, he also assisted with a $50 million non-traditional loan sale, along with two additional investment sales, demonstrating strong financial acumen and a collaborative approach to complex transactions.
With a strong foundation in finance, a heart for service, and a commitment to community, Christner is a valuable addition to the credit union and Granger community.
Driven by a genuine interest in people, he finds inspiration in the unique journeys of others. “I love hearing other people’s stories, everyone has a different path that brings them to where they are today,” Christner shared. “At Interra, there is a shared desire to be helpful and make a meaningful impact, which is something that really resonates with me.”
Christner graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2018 with a double major in Business Management and Finance. Following graduation, he gained valuable experience working on the purchasing side of two manufacturing plants. Christner later transitioned into sales for a metal fabrication company before beginning his career at Interra as a Financial Analyst. Through dedication and growth, he advanced into his current role in commercial lending.
A defining influence on his leadership style came early on. While working a college job, Christner witnessed a business owner step in to support staff during a shortage, personally taking on tasks like food prep and cleaning. That experience left a lasting impression and continues to shape his belief in servant leadership and leading by example.
Currently, Christner is focused on expanding his knowledge of the commercial lending industry while building strong, lasting relationships with clients. Christner’s long-term goal is to develop deep connections within the community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves.
Originally from Millersburg, Christner graduated from Fairfield High School in 2014. After college, he lived in Middlebury before relocating to Osceola in 2025 with his wife, Meg. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Charlotte, in November 2025. Their household also includes a Shih Tzu puppy named Pumpkin and a Maine Coon cat named Harvie. Outside of work, Christner enjoys spending time outdoors, especially on the golf course on a sunny day, as well as playing tennis and pickleball.
About Interra Credit Union.
Interra Credit Union, headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, was chartered in 1932 and has assets of $2 billion. The credit union’s field of membership spans 24 counties in northern Indiana, with more than 325 full and part-time employees serving nearly 90,000 members. Interra currently operates 16 offices in Elkhart, LaGrange, Kosciusko, Marshall, and Noble counties in Indiana, along with an Interra Business Center serving St. Joseph County, and offers convenient online services at interracu.com.
