Commercial Loan Officer

First Federal Savings And Loan Association Of Lakewood - Lakewood, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Lakewood, OH

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities

About the position

The Commercial Loan Officer is a pivotal role within First Mutual Holding Company, primarily responsible for managing commercial banking services for companies with revenues up to $60 million. This position emphasizes the development of a robust skill set, the establishment of a professional network, and the implementation of effective practices in commercial lending. The officer will engage in business development activities aimed at acquiring new commercial banking clients through strategic calling techniques, thereby contributing to the corporate growth objectives of the bank. Building and maintaining relationships with key influencers such as accountants, attorneys, and community leaders is essential, as is participation in networking events, charity functions, and corporate gatherings to foster new connections and business opportunities. In addition to business development, the Commercial Loan Officer will manage portfolios and underwriting processes. This includes coordinating with clients on various account-related issues, facilitating the credit application process, conducting site visits, and collaborating with underwriters to secure decisions on credit applications. The officer will also be responsible for conducting annual reviews of assigned portfolios, ensuring that commercial credit transactions are structured to maximize profitability while managing risk effectively. Regular updates to supervisors regarding portfolio status and underwriting processes are expected to maintain transparency and accountability. The role also requires close collaboration with other departments to address client service issues and promote cross-selling of additional bank products. The officer will handle high-level executive accounts and loan requests, ensuring exceptional service delivery. Representing the bank at civic and community events is crucial for enhancing visibility and driving business development. Continuous professional development through training in sales, presentation skills, and banking knowledge is encouraged to keep the officer well-informed and effective in their role. Compliance with all relevant banking laws and regulations is mandatory, ensuring that the bank operates within legal frameworks and maintains high ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage business development by acquiring new commercial banking business through effective calling techniques.
• Maintain and develop relationships with centers of influence including accountants, attorneys, and community leaders.
• Attend networking, charity, and corporate functions for prospecting and establishing relationships.
• Update supervisor regarding pending banking business and metrics consistently.
• Coordinate with clients on accounts and other issues related to commercial relationships.
• Facilitate the credit application process and perform site visits with commercial team members.
• Identify, evaluate, structure, and document commercial credit transactions to ensure profitability with reasonable risk.
• Monitor credit quality within assigned portfolios and take appropriate action as needed.
• Handle client service issues and cross-sell other bank products effectively.
• Represent the bank in civic and community functions to enhance visibility and business development.
• Attend training to improve sales, presentation skills, and banking knowledge.
• Support management of service providers and vendors effectively, setting expectations and measuring performance.
• Comply with all applicable banking laws and regulations.

Requirements

• Commercial lending/sales experience with a proven track record of success in meeting goals.
• Understanding of commercial lending laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, statistics, business, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) or similar software is required.
• Experience with EasyLender, Cleartouch, OnBase, CreditQuest, and various government and investor software/web portals is preferred.
• Experience in financial services or banking is preferred.
• Completed or actively pursuing OBL/ABA certification courses related to the position is required.
• Necessary competencies include resilience, communication, service orientation, decisiveness, active listening, organizational skills, and accountability.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with CRM software is preferred.