Chad Hart, Tennessee Market President, Republic Bank

In an interview with Invest:, Chad Hart, Tennessee market president of Republic Bank, discussed growth in a competitive market, expanding access to capital, and the role of community banking. “We show up each day focused on how we can use our platform to make a meaningful difference,” he said.

Reflecting on the past year, what have been the most significant milestones or achievements for Republic Bank in Tennessee?

Our mission, enabling clients, associates, communities, and shareholders to thrive, is more than a statement. It guides every decision we make. It’s especially meaningful when others recognize that impact. Forbes named us one of the country’s Top 10 banks. S&P Global Market Intelligence listed us among the Top 50 community banks for the second consecutive year. Newsweek also recognized us as one of the best regional banks and credit unions.

Locally, the Nashville Business Journal named us a leader in diversity, and just recently, we were recognized as one of the best places to work in Nashville, joining similar honors in Louisville, Lexington, and other markets. That kind of recognition from the people we serve is incredibly rewarding. It confirms we’re making a difference, not just at the corporate level but right here in our communities. In Tennessee, we’ve grown our team and locations. Over the past year, we reached new balance sheet and profitability milestones — goals that once felt out of reach. Now, we’re raising the bar again.

How is Republic Bank positioning itself amid increased competition and continued growth in the Nashville market?
The landscape continues to evolve. We’ve seen acquisitions, new entrants, and more institutions expanding. Nashville is thriving, and it’s no surprise that many want to be part of that momentum. From national banks to community banks, we all have our niche. At Republic, we’re sticking to our strategy and embracing our role as a community bank. We’ve carved out a niche with small businesses, especially those from the startup stage to $25 million in revenue, which is a key segment in Nashville’s growth. We aim to be a trusted source of advice, guidance, and education. Our goal is to help these businesses take full advantage of the opportunities here, which is how we continue to grow.

How is Republic Bank helping clients navigate economic uncertainty while continuing to support growth across diverse business segments?
Uncertainty is high. Just this year alone, we’ve seen market swings tied to tariffs, conflicting economic indicators, a government shutdown, and other macroeconomic shifts. While some feel this through headlines, others are directly affected. We’ve seen projects paused due to changes in government subsidies or programs. When funding is pulled, real people are impacted. Our role, especially as a community bank, is to offer stability. Often that means listening and helping clients understand risk, cash flow implications, and operational efficiency during uncertain times. There are opportunities even in uncertain times. We’re committed to helping businesses navigate those challenges. 

We’re also focused on Nashville’s growing minority population. Through partnerships with local organizations, we’re working to provide access to capital, guidance, and education, especially for those new to the market or the country. We want to help them be ready when it’s time to grow or seek funding. And then there’s the segment of larger, more established businesses. They’re also facing tough decisions: how to fund projects, where to grow, how to find talent, how to get a seat at the right tables. We’re helping them make those connections, structure their capital effectively, and seize opportunities as they arise.

Are there any unique challenges or dynamics impacting the financial sector in Tennessee?
In the 25 years I’ve been in banking, there’s never really been a dull moment, from the Great Recession onward. The one constant in our industry is change. Today, the pace of change feels faster. We’re in a global economy where events across the world ripple through markets almost instantly. A report comes out, the market reacts, and that sets off a chain of events. What may be different now is that more of these shifts are magnified in the media and, in some cases, politicized. That adds a layer of complexity, so we are helping clients focus on real issues, separate from the noise. So, while the details may change, the broader challenge remains staying agile, cutting through the noise, and finding the best ways to help our clients move forward.

How is Republic Bank working to expand access to capital for underserved communities and support local economic development?
We’ve seen great success through our Community Loan Fund, a program designed to support businesses in or serving low- to moderate-income areas. It lets us dig in, understand where needs exist, and reach those historically underserved in terms of access to capital. In Nashville alone, we’ve completed over 30 of these deals over the past several years. That’s real growth capital flowing into communities, creating jobs, and driving entrepreneurship. We’ve supported everything from a startup catering company to a medical firm serving underserved neighborhoods, even an architecture firm partnering with local universities. It’s rewarding to help these businesses realize their goals and embrace our role as a community bank, staying connected to neighborhoods and contributing to real economic growth.

We’re also a preferred SBA lender, providing both the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs. We are very active in this area and will continue to focus on growing this segment of our business. These tools help us support businesses expanding their operations, launching initiatives, or pursuing strategic acquisitions. We’re getting capital to the people who need it most. That’s really what drives us at Republic Bank. We show up each day focused on how we can use our platform to make a meaningful difference, and these programs are two of the ways we’re doing that.

How do you see Nashville addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth, particularly around housing and infrastructure?
Affordable housing and transportation are two of the biggest challenges, or opportunities, facing Nashville today. Growth is exciting, but it brings complications. If you’ve owned your home for a while, its value has likely risen, which is great, until the property tax bill comes around. But for people moving here, especially those powering Nashville’s growth, affordability is a real concern. No single bank or sector can solve this alone. It requires collaboration. We’re seeing more roundtables involving banks, developers, government leaders, and nonprofits. One example of a program making an impact, is the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Community Investment Tax Credit (CTC) program, which allows banks to offer low-rate financing to developers building affordable units. But each bank has limited capacity, based on its tax offset. When one bank reaches its limit, we help connect developers with others who can continue the work. It’s the kind of cooperation, even among competitors, that’s necessary to make progress. It also takes a better understanding of what affordable housing truly means. Many of those affected are our teachers, police officers, and nurses. Those that are essential to the community.

We recently met with United Way of Greater Nashville, which shared insights from its ALICE study, which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. It reframes the issue using local cost-of-living data. For instance, in Williamson County, a family of four earning $90,000 can still be at risk. That’s striking. These families are deciding between childcare, healthcare, or paying the utility bill — all while earning what many would consider a solid income. That’s why education and collaboration are so important. It’s not just about building more housing; it’s about understanding what’s driving the issue, who we’re building for, and the kind of community we want to create.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for Republic Bank in Tennessee over the next two to three years?
Our focus remains on our five key markets: Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Tampa/St. Pete. We are committed to growing organically, adding density, and pursuing strategic acquisitions when they align.

In Nashville, we’re focused on building on the past six years. That means stabilizing our newer offices and evaluating next steps, whether expanding into new counties or deepening our presence where we are. Growth will remain a priority, but with intention. We’re focused on long-term impact, always guided by our mission to help our associates, clients, and communities thrive.

There’s more ahead. Historically, we’ve taken a humble approach and haven’t always promoted our achievements, even after 43 years of impact. But we’re recognizing the importance of telling our story. People need to understand who we are, and where and how we’re making a difference. That’s why we launched a brand refresh — rethinking how we show up in the market, with new partners helping shape our message and better reflect who we are at the core. It’s an exciting time… “Time to Thrive”. We have a powerful story and, more importantly, a passionate team behind it, in all of our key markets. In a fast-changing industry, it’s rare to find a group so committed to purpose. The results speak for themselves, the impact speaks for itself, and we’re excited for what’s next.