Commercial Collateral Analyst I

First Financial Bank; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

First Financial Bank is seeking a Commercial Collateral Analyst to monitor, analyze, and evaluate collateral securing commercial loans, including borrowing base certificate requirements and asset-based lending structures.

You will review client reporting, reconcile borrowing base certificates to supporting documentation, and work with Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, and vendors to resolve reporting issues and collateral concerns.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required, preferably in finance, accounting, business, or a related field; equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting, commercial lending, credit analysis, loan operations, asset-based lending, or related financial services experience.
• Experience with asset-based lending, cash flow lending, leveraged lending, mezzanine lending, or commercial loan collateral monitoring preferred.
• Working knowledge of borrowing base certificates, loan agreements, collateral reporting, accounts receivable, inventory, and supporting financial documentation.
• Ability to analyze financial and collateral data, identify trends, reconcile reporting, and draw sound conclusions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, documentation quality, and defined processes.
• Strong verbal, written, listening, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while exercising sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, and ability to learn bank-specific loan, collateral, and reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Monitor loan availability, line holds, and collateral controls Apply borrowing base calculations and advances within the asset-based lending system. Direct appropriate modifications to line freeze or hold amounts on revolving lines of credit based on independent analysis of borrower reporting, collateral values, and loan documentation. Monitor and ESCALATE over-advances, collateral deficiencies, or other material concerns.
• Coordinate with internal partners, clients, and third-party vendors Work directly with Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, clients, and the Line of Business Leaders to obtain required daily, weekly, or monthly reporting and resolve missing, incomplete, or unbalanced documentation. Independently coordinate third-party field exams, including vendor engagement, scope, timeline, and fee coordination.
• Administer and monitor loan documentation and reporting requirements Enter and maintain customer reporting requirements in the asset-based lending loan/collateral system. Prepare BBC Templates and CMG collateral Review spreadsheets for new and existing customers.
• Manage exceptions, maturities, delinquencies, and portfolio maintenance Monitor and assist with exception management, maturing loan reports, delinquency management, and updates to loan portfolio information. Clear Structured Capital and Corporate Banking financial BBC reporting items in applicable systems and help ensure loan files and collateral records remain accurate and current.
• Maintain accuracy, compliance, and process integrity Ensure client-submitted documentation is accurate, complete, and consistent with loan approvals, credit policy, regulatory expectations, underwriting standards, and loan documentation requirements. Follow established processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and risk management.

Skills

Financial analysis

Credit analysis

Loan documentation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Independent judgment

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

We do the right things, right now. We do them in a way that is relevant to our clients. Become a part of our history as it continues to be written!

The Commercial Collateral Analyst is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating collateral securing commercial loans, including loans with borrowing base certificate requirements and asset-based lending structures. This role reviews client reporting, reconciles borrowing base certificates to supporting documentation, evaluates collateral trends, and ensures borrowers remain within approved collateral availability and loan terms. The position works closely with Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, the Line of Business Leaders, clients, and third-party vendors to resolve reporting issues, collateral concerns, documentation deficiencies, and over-advance situations. The role requires strong financial, accounting, credit, and loan documentation knowledge, as well as independent judgment, sound decision-making, and effective communication.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Monitor loan availability, line holds, and collateral controls Apply borrowing base calculations and advances within the asset-based lending system. Direct appropriate modifications to line freeze or hold amounts on revolving lines of credit based on independent analysis of borrower reporting, collateral values, and loan documentation. Monitor and ESCALATE over-advances, collateral deficiencies, or other material concerns.
• Coordinate with internal partners, clients, and third-party vendors Work directly with Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, clients, and the Line of Business Leaders to obtain required daily, weekly, or monthly reporting and resolve missing, incomplete, or unbalanced documentation. Independently coordinate third-party field exams, including vendor engagement, scope, timeline, and fee coordination.
• Administer and monitor loan documentation and reporting requirements Enter and maintain customer reporting requirements in the asset-based lending loan/collateral system. Prepare BBC Templates and CMG collateral Review spreadsheets for new and existing customers.
• Manage exceptions, maturities, delinquencies, and portfolio maintenance Monitor and assist with exception management, maturing loan reports, delinquency management, and updates to loan portfolio information. Clear Structured Capital and Corporate Banking financial BBC reporting items in applicable systems and help ensure loan files and collateral records remain accurate and current.
• Maintain accuracy, compliance, and process integrity Ensure client-submitted documentation is accurate, complete, and consistent with loan approvals, credit policy, regulatory expectations, underwriting standards, and loan documentation requirements. Follow established processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and risk management.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• Associate degree required, preferably in finance, accounting, business, or a related field; equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting, commercial lending, credit analysis, loan operations, asset-based lending, or related financial services experience.
• Experience with asset-based lending, cash flow lending, leveraged lending, mezzanine lending, or commercial loan collateral monitoring preferred.
• Working knowledge of borrowing base certificates, loan agreements, collateral reporting, accounts receivable, inventory, and supporting financial documentation.
• Ability to analyze financial and collateral data, identify trends, reconcile reporting, and draw sound conclusions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, documentation quality, and defined processes.
• Strong verbal, written, listening, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while exercising sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, and ability to learn bank-specific loan, collateral, and reporting systems.
• Additional training as required for the role.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience in commercial credit, Business Capital, asset-based lending, loan documentation, or collateral monitoring.
• Familiarity with field exams, third-party collateral evaluations, and vendor coordination.
• Knowledge of commercial loan documentation, credit policy, regulatory standards, and underwriting requirements.
• Experience with asset-based lending systems or loan/collateral monitoring platforms.
• Strong understanding of accounts receivable eligibility, inventory analysis, advance rates, borrowing base formulas, and cash collateral activity.
• Ability to communicate complex analysis clearly to Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, senior leaders, clients, and vendors.

Level of Complexity and Scope

This role performs moderately complex to complex collateral analysis and loan monitoring activities for commercial and Business Capital relationships. The position requires the ability to interpret loan agreements, credit approvals, borrowing base requirements, financial reporting, collateral documentation, and borrower trends. The scope includes direct interaction with internal lending partners, credit teams, clients, legal counsel, and third-party vendors. Work requires strong analytical judgment, accuracy, and the ability to identify and elevate collateral, documentation, reporting, or over-advance concerns that may impact credit risk.

Degree of Independence and Decision-Making

This position works with limited supervision and requires independent analysis, judgment, and decision-making within established policies, procedures, loan approvals, and documentation requirements. The Commercial Collateral Analyst is expected to identify collateral deficiencies, interpret borrowing base results, determine appropriate line hold or freeze recommendations, and communicate required actions to internal partners. The role collaborates with Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, and the Director of Business Capital, while also independently managing assigned monitoring, documentation, and reporting responsibilities. Escalates complex, unusual, or high-risk matters as appropriate.

Required Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sits, stands, walks, sees, hears, and speaks.
• Frequently uses a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and standard office equipment.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally drives or travels to attend meetings, training, or business-related events.
• Requires the ability to communicate clearly with internal partners, clients, and vendors.

Compliance Statement

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Development and Training

• Complete required bank, compliance, credit, collateral monitoring, and system training.
• Continue developing knowledge of commercial lending, asset-based lending, loan documentation, collateral analysis, borrowing base structures, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in ongoing coaching, process updates, and professional development as needed to support accuracy, risk management, and portfolio monitoring responsibilities.

Pay Range: $52,000/year to $67,000/year

Benefits

We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide.

Incentive Eligibility

All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.

We are an E-Verify Employer.

At first financial bank, our mission is clear: to be the best bank to do business with, the best place to work, and the best financial partner for our shareholders and the communities we serve. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. That’s why we’re guided by core values that shape everything we do: Doing the right thing Teamwork Mutual respect Wellbeing Excellence. Our success starts with our people. We know that when our associates are talented, engaged, and supported, they create outstanding results. If you're looking to be part of a team that values integrity, inclusion, and collaboration—and where your growth matters—you’ll find your future here.

It is our policy to not discriminate against any individual in violation of federal, state, and local laws as it relates to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran-military service, or any other characteristic protected by law.