Commercial Lender

The Agency; Illinois; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Agency in Central Illinois seeks an experienced Commercial/Agricultural Lender to develop and manage a portfolio of commercial and agricultural loans. This role focuses on building lasting relationships with business owners, farmers, and local decision-makers while maintaining sound credit fundamentals.

You will evaluate opportunities, structure credit solutions, and partner with credit and leadership through approval and closing, with a strong emphasis on local decision-making and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent banking experience in finance, agriculture, or related field.
• Strong understanding of credit analysis, loan structuring, cash flow, collateral and risk management.
• Experience with commercial and agricultural lending and knowledge of local market (Central Illinois) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and grow a portfolio of commercial and agricultural loans including operating lines, equipment financing, real estate, term debt and other credit needs.
• Build and expand relationships with existing customers while pursuing new business in Central Illinois.
• Evaluate loan opportunities through financial analysis, cash flow assessment, collateral review, risk identification and credit structuring.
• Structure credit solutions balancing customer needs with bank risk standards.
• Engage with customers to understand their businesses, seasonal needs, and long-term financial goals.
• Collaborate with credit operations and leadership through underwriting, approval, documentation, and closing processes.
• Monitor portfolio performance, renewals, annual reviews, covenant compliance, and emerging credit concerns.
• Develop referral networks with local professionals and community organizations.

Skills

Credit analysis

Cash flow analysis

Loan structuring

Risk management

Relationship building

Community banking

Business development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent banking experience

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Commercial / Agricultural Lender to join a well-established community bank in Central Illinois. This individual will be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of commercial and agricultural relationships while continuing to build the bank’s presence throughout the local market.

This is a relationship-driven lending role for someone who understands community banking and enjoys working directly with business owners, farmers, and local decision-makers. The right candidate will bring strong credit fundamentals, sound judgment, and the ability to develop lasting relationships while identifying opportunities to grow the bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and grow a portfolio of commercial and agricultural loans, including operating lines, equipment financing, real estate, term debt, and other business and agricultural credit needs.
• Build strong relationships with existing customers while actively developing new business throughout the Central Illinois market.
• Evaluate loan opportunities through financial analysis, cash flow assessment, collateral review, risk identification, and overall credit structure.
• Structure and recommend credit solutions that appropriately balance the needs of the customer with the bank’s risk standards.
• Maintain a strong understanding of customers’ businesses and agricultural operations, including seasonal needs, commodity and industry considerations, and long-term financial goals.
• Partner closely with credit, loan operations, and bank leadership throughout the underwriting, approval, documentation, and closing process.
• Monitor the ongoing performance and credit quality of the portfolio, including renewals, annual reviews, covenant compliance, and emerging credit concerns.
• Develop referral relationships with local professionals, business owners, agricultural producers, and community organizations.
• Represent the bank within the community and maintain a visible presence throughout the market.
• Identify opportunities to deepen customer relationships through additional banking products and services.

Qualifications

• Previous commercial, agricultural, or combined commercial/ag lending experience within a bank or financial institution.
• Strong understanding of credit analysis, loan structuring, cash flow, collateral, and risk management.
• Experience working with agricultural producers and/or locally owned businesses strongly preferred.
• Ability to independently manage customer relationships and a lending portfolio.
• Proven ability to develop new business and build long-term relationships within a local market.
• Strong communication skills and a practical, relationship-oriented approach to lending.
• Knowledge of the Central Illinois market and an existing network within the region is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, agriculture, economics, or a related field preferred; equivalent banking experience will also be considered.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

This is an opportunity to join a community bank where lenders have direct access to decision-makers and the ability to truly own their customer relationships. The bank is looking for someone who understands that good lending is about more than originating loans. It is about knowing your customers, understanding their businesses and operations, making thoughtful credit decisions, and becoming a trusted banking partner over the long term.

For a lender who values local decision-making, relationship banking, and the ability to make an impact in the community, this role offers the opportunity to do exactly that.