Community Development & Lending Strategist

First Community Bancshares, Inc.; Killeen (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

First Community Bancshares, Inc. is seeking a CRA professional to develop and sustain relationships with community-based organizations and assess their capacity to support local economic development.

You will advocate for LMI borrowers and help structure financing programs that align with CRA objectives. The role requires strong underwriting and communication skills, willingness to travel up to 50%, and the ability to work effectively in a team within our community-focused bank in Texas.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's Degree in a business-related field.
• Minimum of three years' experience in selling financial products, to include lending.
• Knowledge of Community Development Lending.
• Familiarity with CDC -- Community Development Corporation, CDFI -- Community Development Financial Institution, SBIC -- Small Business Investment Company, NMTC -- New Markets Tax Credits, LIHTC -- Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and HTC -- Historical Tax Credits.
• Prior underwriting experience, including understanding business financial statements, is highly preferred.
• Prior investment product experience is highly preferred.
• Must be an extremely self-motivated team player.
• Must have excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Must maintain confidentiality of customer information.
• Must successfully pass background investigation and drug screen according to company policy.
• Must be able to get along with co-workers and work effectively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs), to include CDFI groups, in the bank's assessment areas (AAs).
• Evaluate the capacity of a CBOs/CDFIs to perform financially and in their capacity to impact locally defined needs.
• Recommend approval of loans and investments to CDFI's or other CBOs that meet internal standards.
• Advocate for low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers and provide technical assistance for the identification and development of down payment, closing cost, or other homebuyer products.
• Provide program support for NMTC, LIHTC, HTC, SBIC, and other community development financing structures that help the bank outperform peer banks in our AAs.
• Research and recommend investments in economic development (ED) groups that can be leveraged to gain greater access to highly visible community ED initiatives.
• Research and advocate for the creation of innovative and sometimes complex projects, such as the creation of a bank-owned CDC or the participation in projects that involve multiple layers of financing.
• Interact with local/state/national trade groups to stay current on CD trends.
• Positively represent FNBT at conferences, etc., increasing visibility in our AAs.
• Recommend community partnerships and grant requests to the CRA Committee.
• Refer program sponsorship, board, and volunteer involvement opportunities to CRA Committee, ensuring that opportunities are responsive and impactful, and innovative/complex, when appropriate.
• Provide reports to the Chief CRA Officer and CRA Committee on loans and investments.
• Oversee CRA Academy training program and cohorts.
• Travel as necessary (up to 50%).
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Sales of financial products

Underwriting experience

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

First Community Bancshares, Inc. is seeking a CRA professional to develop and sustain relationships with community-based organizations and assess their capacity to support local economic development.

You will advocate for LMI borrowers and help structure financing programs that align with CRA objectives. The role requires strong underwriting and communication skills, willingness to travel up to 50%, and the ability to work effectively in a team within our community-focused bank in Texas.