Asset Based Lending Team Leader

Associated Banc‑Corp; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 157,000 - 269,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings (401(k) and Pension

Paid time off to volunteer

Diversity-focused Colleague Resource &

Professional development opportunities

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Associated Bank in Chicago seeks an experienced Asset Based Lending (ABL) Team Leader to guide a high-impact team delivering underwriting, credit monitoring, and portfolio management for client retention and growth.

The role requires a track record of senior leadership in asset-based or corporate lending, with deep expertise in credit quality, risk mitigation, and strategic client solutions. This leadership position offers broad collaboration across relationships and business partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or an equivalent combo of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of lending professionals, providing coaching, performance management, hiring support, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee portfolio administration and credit risk management to ensure compliance with lending policies and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze and guide credit decisions, recommending account management strategies and risk mitigation plans.

Skills

Leadership

Credit risk management

Portfolio management

Coaching & development

Client relationship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

Job description

At Associated Bank we strive to create an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and recognized as strengths critical to our success. If you thrive in an environment where your growth and development are encouraged and supported, then Associated Bank may be the right place for you. Associated Bank requires you to directly represent yourself and your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process. Associated Bank conducts a thorough background check on all new hires. The Asset Based Lending (ABL) Team Leader leads a team responsible for managing asset-based lending relationships and portfolios, delivering high-quality underwriting, credit monitoring, and portfolio management to support client retention, relationship growth, and portfolio quality. This role provides leadership to Relationship Managers and Portfolio Managers while helping drive strategic business objectives, credit excellence, and client-focused lending solutions.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and develop a team of lending professionals, providing coaching, performance management, hiring support, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee portfolio administration and credit risk management to ensure compliance with lending policies, business strategies, and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze and guide credit decisions, recommending appropriate account management strategies and risk mitigation plans based on client performance and business conditions.
• Coordinate due diligence activities and partner with internal and external stakeholders throughout the lending process, from initial review through closing.
• Monitor portfolio performance, loan repayment activity, and client financial health to maintain strong credit quality and proactively address emerging risks.
• Manage renewals, portfolio reviews, and credit solution delivery while supporting improvements that enhance client service and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with relationship teams and business partners to deepen client relationships and identify opportunities for additional banking solutions.
• Serve as a client-facing leader on complex transactions, amendments, and challenged credits, helping teams develop strategies that support successful outcomes.

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of experience in asset-based lending, commercial banking, or corporate banking lending.
• 10+ years of demonstrated success achieving portfolio quality and business development objectives.
• 7+ years of leadership experience, preferably managing teams of five or more direct reports.
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to lawfully drive, if applicable.

Preferred Experience

Preferred Experience leading teams of Relationship Managers and Portfolio Managers within an asset-based lending environment.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

This is an opportunity to lead a high-impact team that plays a critical role in delivering lending solutions, managing portfolio performance, and supporting client growth. You’ll partner with experienced banking professionals, influence strategic business decisions, and help shape the future direction of a growing asset-based lending business.

We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified parties, including but not limited to people returning to the workforce, people with disabilities, those without a college degree, and veterans or those with military experience.

Benefits

• Retirement savings including both 401(k) and Pension plans.
• Paid time off to volunteer in your community.
• Opportunities to connect with others through our diversity-focusedColleague Resource Groups.
• Competitive salaries with professional development and advancement opportunities.
• Bonus benefits including well-being programs and incentives, parental leave,anemployee stock purchase plan, military benefits and much more.
• Personal banking, loan, investmentand insurance benefits.

Associated Bank serves more than 120 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri and we consider our colleagues critical to our continued success.

See why our colleagues continually vote us a best place to work in the Midwest.

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Compliance Statement

Associated Bank is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We support a work environment where colleagues are respected and given the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors. Fully complies with all applicable enterprise policies and procedures. Acts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in training materials, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act. Responsible for reporting suspicious activity to Financial Intelligence. Responsible to report all customer complaints as prescribed and procedure violations to management or HR. Responsible to report ethical concerns as needed to Associated Bank’s anonymous Ethics Hotline.

Associated Banc-Corp participates in the E-Verify Program.

Know Your Right to Work English or Spanish.

Associated Bank is Pay Transparency compliant. The pay range represents anticipated base pay for this role. Actual pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, work location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role. For certain positions, total compensation may also include incentive, commission, or bonus opportunities not reflected in the posted base pay range.

$157,150.00 - $269,400.00 per year

At Associated Bank, our purpose is to uplift our customers, community and colleagues to be financially stronger. We do this through our relentless focus on people, with a winning spirit, by listening before we act and with a commitment to achieve together.

What does it mean to be #RootedHere? For us, it means having a career that grows with you. We think you’ll like the opportunities available at Associated Bank.