Commercial Loan Officer

Ascend Bank; Norwich (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Bank is looking for a skilled commercial lending officer in Norwich, CT. The role involves developing profitable relationships with commercial clients and providing superior client service. Duties include negotiating and underwriting loans, conducting client interviews, and ensuring compliance with loan policies.

The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of relevant experience, a college degree, and strong communication skills. Join us at Ascend Bank to help foster strong business relationships and support financial growth in the community.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in commercial lending or commercial real estate lending.
• Experience with SBA Lending is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with business clients.
• Interview potential loan clients and structure loan requests.
• Assist with loan documentation and ensure compliance.
• Evaluate and recommend loan requests to management.

Skills

Communication, collaboration, and participation

Technical proficiency with all bank products

Teaching learning and self-development

Awareness and interest in new technology

Information, data, and content management

Education

College degree or equivalent work experience

Job description

Responsible for developing and maintaining strong and profitable relationships with commercial clients and providing quality client service. Actively call on businesses in Ascend Bank’s strategic lending area and eastern CT; effectively negotiate, structure and underwrite proposed loans in a timely manner and in alignment with the Bank’s loan policy; obtain necessary approvals, close the loan and administer the client relationship.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Develop relationships with business owners, developers, lawyers, accountants, and real estate investors to develop new relationships as well as maintain satisfactory relationships with existing clients. Network to achieve continuous referral sources for the Bank. Work with the Business Banking Relationship Officers and with Branch Managers on joint calling efforts to cross sell various Bank products and services.
• Interview potential commercial loan clients, quote rates and terms, obtain the necessary information to underwrite the loan request, properly assess the request and structure the loan in conformance with Loan Policy.
• Actively involved in the loan review of the existing portfolio to ensure credit quality and recommend any upgrades or downgrades to loans.
• Works one on one with credit analysts on completing loan offering memorandums or providing information as needed for accurate underwriting. May at times need to underwrite commercial loan requests.
• Presents loan to appropriate loan authority level.
• Originate new loans, fee income and deposit relationships.
• Recognize and support cross selling opportunities for additional services including cash and wealth management.
• Works with the Commercial Loan Servicing Representative to ensure all loan documentation is accurate, attends loan closing and ensures all follow up documentation is received.
• Evaluate potential client loan requests and make loan recommendations to management.
• Participate with Senior Credit Risk Manager on underwriting matters.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Completes all required compliance training as assigned in a timely manner.

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

• Empower & Support: Prioritize employees' growth by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for success.
• Lead with Integrity: Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and ethical decision-making.
• Encourage Collaboration: Fostering an environment that leverages collaboration, innovation, and accountability to achieve strategic goals.

SKILLS & PROFICIENCY

• Information, data, and content
• Teaching learning and self-development
• Communication, collaboration, and participation
• Digital identity, safety, and security
• Technical proficiency with all bank products
• Awareness and interest in new technology
• Creation, innovation, and research

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Five to eight years of relevant commercial lending and/or commercial real estate lending experience in a bank setting. SBA Lending experience would also be a plus.

EDUCATION REQUIRED

A college degree or equivalent work experience.

Compensation

Compensation is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

EEO Statement

Ascend Bank is an equal opportunity employer and offers equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, and veteran status.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process should notify Human Resources.