AVP Commercial Lender

Freedom Financial Bank; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom Financial Bank in West Des Moines, IA is seeking a Commercial Lending Officer to originate and service ag/commercial loans, manage relationships, and drive profitability with sound credit judgment.

You will develop new business, analyze financial data, coordinate with credit and loan operations, and ensure compliance with bank policies while delivering exceptional customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business-related field and at least five years of commercial lending experience.
• Ability to read and interpret financial statements and prepare loan proposals.

Responsibilities

• Initiates and implements business development calling programs to grow customer base.
• Provides superior customer service and handles problem resolution.
• Maintains knowledge of commercial banking products and markets served.
• Develops prospect lists and ongoing calling programs for new business.
• Calls on potential customers, assesses banking needs, and proposes loans.
• Coordinates with customer service to set up new accounts and cash management.
• Reviews existing relationships for cross-sell opportunities.
• Makes and coordinates loan decisions and supports loan closings.
• Adheres to all banking regulations and policies.

Skills

Business development

Relationship management

Credit analysis

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business-related field

Job description

Description

Summary Makes and services a variety of commercial loans. Provides superior customer service and financial counsel to current customers to retain existing business. Identifies and solicits profitable business deposit and loan relationships in the bank’s target market to develop new business that meet established lending requirements and maximize profitability to the bank with minimal risk. Provides portfolio maintenance and loan administration in accordance with bank loan policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

1. Initiates and implements effective and consistent business development calling programs to focus efforts on increasing and retaining existing business banking relationships.

• Provides superior customer service and effectively handles problem resolution.
• Maintains knowledge of commercial banking products and services, as well as knowledge of the industries or market areas served.
• Develops prospect list to identify sales opportunities within the bank’s target markets and establishes and initiates ongoing calling programs to develop and grow customer base.
• Calls on potential customers, identifies banking needs, secures financial data for analysis and makes proposals for new business.
• Coordinates with customer service area to set up new accounts and cash management.
• Reviews existing account relationships for opportunities to meet additional needs with other products or services, makes proposals as appropriate.
• Makes sales calls in the calling program to achieve individually established goals. Participates in civic and community activities to generate visibility and contact for bank.

2. Interviews applicants interested in obtaining ag/commercial loans.

• Gathers credit application information concerning business needs, desires, abilities, and earnings to determine loan needs.
• Explains loan options, rates, terms, and collateral requirements.
• Arranges loan decision and notification dates.
• Negotiates and structures new and renewal ag/commercial lines of credit and loans.
• Cross-sells applicable insurance and other bank related products and services associated with the loan.

3. Underwrites commercial loans.

• Orders credit reports, obtains tax returns and financial statements from applicants, and requests other necessary documents for evaluation and analysis, as needed.
• Prepares and analyzes debt service repayment ability.
• Evaluates and determines credit-worthiness in accordance with bank credit policies.
• Makes or coordinates and reviews on-site inspections of collateral as needed.
• Compiles loan proposal information for presentation to loan committee.
• Presents loans which exceed credit authority to the loan committee for recommendations and approval.

4. Makes credit decisions to approve or decline loans within credit limits.

• Makes commercial loans to customers within established credit limits.
• Communicates credit decisions to loan applicants.
• Negotiates credit terms and repayments schedules within established guidelines. Initiates written notification of adverse action of all appropriate loans.
• Orders necessary information to facilitate perfected security interest and other documentation as required.

5. Schedules, coordinates, and conducts loan closings.

• Reviews loan documents with customers.
• Obtains customers signature on loan documents.
• Initiates the disbursement of loan proceeds.

6. Manages loans within loan portfolio.

• Prepares letters pertinent to maintaining collateral documentation, financial statements and other lending activities.
• Releases liens such as titles, mortgages, paid notes, etc.
• Reviews for trend changes in customer portfolio before renewing credit.
• Responsible for identification and evaluation of deteriorating loan situations in order to recognize charge off loans early and manage credit to minimize losses.
• Handles follow-ups, collections, or delinquent and problem loans as requested.
• Works in concert with the Bank President and loan committee to ensure compliance with bank policies and procedures and federal and state regulations.

7. Services loans in portfolio to retain high loan quality level.

• Monitors customer’s financial condition, loan performance and repayment process. Takes appropriate corrective action as necessary.
• Performs collateral review for all crop production lines and commercial lines of credit maintained.
• Corresponds with customers with delinquent accounts and counsels borrowers to bring accounts current. Provides guidance for customers seeking solutions to financial problems.
• Conducts timely inspections of collateral and inventory held by the bank.
• Sends written notification to customers for loan renewals, rate adjustments, etc.

8. May perform one or more of the following functions:

• Oversee processing of commercial loan documents and file maintenance.
• Coordinate collection activities.
• Provides direction to loan servicing, collection, loan administration support staff.
• Participates in loan approval process.

9. Adheres to all State and Federal Banking regulations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities with this position.

Core Competencies

To be successful in this role, the employee must demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the organization's mission, values, and policies. The position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and consistently deliver high-quality, accurate, and timely results.

The employee in this role will need to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing), be able to build collaborative relationships, provide exceptional customer service, and work productively with diverse teams. This role requires initiative, accountability, continuous learning, and the ability to make informed decisions while maintaining confidentiality and exercising good judgment.

Employees are expected to contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment, demonstrate leadership appropriate to their role, embrace innovation and continuous improvement, use organizational resources responsibly, and maintain a strong commitment to safety, quality, dependability, and ethical conduct.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Prefer Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in a business-related field and at prefer least five years of commercial lending experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.