Credit Officer III

BELL BANK; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Bell Bank in Fargo, ND is seeking an experienced credit risk professional responsible for the commercial risk management of the bank's loan portfolio, including developing trends and independent assessments of borrowers' capacity to withstand risks.

The role emphasizes independent judgment on credit risk, loan documentation, and collaboration with lending officers, loan committees, and audit/exam activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• 4–6 years of credit, lending or examining experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of loan documentation.
• Proficiency with computer technology and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Spread and analyze financial statements for existing and prospective clients. Provide preliminary recommendation regarding the feasibility of the credit request.
• Prepare independent, written credit evaluation of new, renewal or modification loan proposals as well as annual credit reviews.
• Identify trends and analyze performance in order to develop an assessment of credit risks.
• Maintain loan risk ratings to reflect the risks inherent in the credit and ensure accuracy.
• Monitor credit quality through interim financial statements to provide early warning of deterioration.
• Attend joint client calls with commercial/ag lending officers when appropriate.
• Provide input to lending officers on terms for credit requests including costs, repayment methods and collateral.
• Participate in loan committees as needed.
• Develop and maintain understanding of the Bank’s credit policies and processes.
• Assist Credit Manager and team with training and development of staff.
• Participate in administration of loan policy and adherence to conditions.
• Support executive management reports, audits, and regulatory examinations.
• Guide loan documentation preparation with document representatives.
• Support secondary exposure approval process for ACH requests.
• Mentor other team members in credit administration.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial statement analysis

Loan documentation

Written communication

Time management

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This position will be responsible for functions associated with the commercial credit risk management of the bank. This position will also be responsible for identifying and understanding developing trends and providing a thorough, independent assessment of a borrower's capacity to withstand the risks posed by these trends through the preparation of written, in-depth analyses of business, management and industry factors. A primary component of this position will involve the exercise of independent judgment and discretion on matters pertaining to the identification and management of the credit risk and quality of the bank's commercial loan portfolio.
Responsibilities

• Spread and analyze financial statements for existing and prospective clients. Provide preliminary recommendation regarding the feasibility of the credit request.
• Prepare independent, written credit evaluation of new, renewal or modification loan proposals as well as annual credit reviews.
• Identify trends and analyze performance in order to develop an assessment of credit risks.
• Participate in the maintenance of the accuracy of the Bank’s loan risk rating system and validate that loan risk ratings accurately reflect the risks inherent in the credit.
• As required, monitor credit quality through the review financial information such as interim financial statements, to provide early warning of possible deterioration.
• Attend joint client calls with commercial/ag lending officers, when appropriate.
• Provide input to lending officers on terms under which a credit request could be structured including costs, repayment methods and collateral requirements.
• Participate in loan committees as needed.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the Bank’s credit policies, procedures, processes and manage to best practices.
• Assist Credit Manager and/or Credit Officer Team Lead(s) with the training and development of staff as requested.
• Participate in the administration of the Bank’s loan policy and ensure adherence to loan conditions.
• May also support other credit risk management activities including those related to preparation of executive management and/or board of directors’ reports, internal or external audits, and regulatory examinations.
• Provide guidance to loan document representative and commercial loan coordinator in preparation of loan documentation.
• Provide support to the secondary exposure approval process for ACH requests as needed.
• Mentor other Bank team members in the credit administration process.

Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards

• Know and live Bell Bank’s values, bottom line, customer service standards, Golden Rules, and LOCBUTN by building personal connections with customers and employees and using their names as often as possible.
• Conduct activities consistent with established Bell Bank policies, procedures and systems, the Code of Conduct, the Bank Secrecy Act and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• All employees are responsible for information security, including compliance with policies and standards which protect sensitive information.
• Prompt and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Other Expectations

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• 4-6 years of credit, lending or examining experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of loan documentation.
• Exceptional written and communication skills.
• Proficiency with computer technology.
• Demonstrated excellent aptitude in business and financial analysis.
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.

Company Information

If you like to work with people in a family atmosphere, enjoy great benefits and provide unequaled personal service to every customer, consider a career with Bell Bank.

Bell Bank was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. It is the largest family-and employee-owned bank in the upper Midwest, and one of the largest in the nation, with assets of more than $14 billion. Bell Bank has full-service banking locations in North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. Bell has empowered more than $30 million in charitable giving through its unique Pay It Forward initiative, through which every employee chooses each year how to help individuals, families and organizations in need.

Bell Bank has been recognized as a top workplace by American Banker, Forbes and Fortune. If you want to work for an established, growing, forward-looking organization with world-class employees, this is the place for you. Let Bell Bank be your destination workplace.

Bell's Values:

As stewards, dedicated to the growth and reputation of this independently owned organization, we are committed to:

• Promoting and sustaining our family atmosphere.
• Providing unequaled personal service to each and every customer.
• Paying it forward

Our Bottom Line:

Happy Employees! Happy Customers!

In addition to salary, Bell Bank offers a comprehensive benefits package including, healthcare, (medical, dental, vision) employee stock ownership program, and 401(k) contribution and profit-sharing plan. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

Bell Bank

Equal Opportunity Employer