SBA Business Development Officer - Business Banking

Citizens Bank; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens Bank is looking for a Business Banking SBA Business Development Officer (BDO) to drive new loan opportunities through the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs. This role revolves around building a strong referral network and maintaining relationships with internal partners to promote loan origination.

Qualified candidates should have over 5 years of SBA lending experience, a strong understanding of financial analysis, and exceptional sales skills. The position offers a 40-hour work week, from Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in SBA lending with a proven track record of successful loan origination.
• In-depth knowledge of SBA loan programs, underwriting guidelines, and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional sales and negotiation skills with a customer‑centric mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a personal business plan and marketing strategy.
• Maintain a referral network targeting business brokers and professionals.
• Structure, present, and guide lending opportunities through the application process.
• Collaborate with Business Banking partners to deliver a customer-centric experience.

Skills

SBA lending experience

Financial analysis

Sales and negotiation skills

Leadership and mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field

Job description

The Business Banking SBA Business Development Officer (BDO) is responsible for sourcing, identifying, and closing new loan opportunities using the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The SBA BDO will develop their own referral network through cold calling, development of COIs, SBA event attendance and other self-sourced business development activities across their assigned market. Establishing and maintaining a proven network of referral sources from which one can generate enough new opportunities to promote the origination of SBA loans in an assigned market will be a primary focus of the position. In addition, you will play a key role in building collaborative relationships with our internal partners across Business Banking, while delivering an exceptional customer experience designed to grow our SBA loan portfolio.

Primary responsibilities

• Develop and implement a personal business plan and marketing strategy to identify areas of opportunity for new business penetration and the creation of a solid contact base of current and potential referral sources.
• Maintain a referral network targeting business brokers, consultants, lawyers, accountants, and related professionals that results in sufficient lead generation to achieve or exceed sales goals.
• Structure, present, and guide lending opportunities through the application, underwriting, and closing process to ensure that all SBA requirements are met.
• Maintain and apply a thorough understanding of bank credit policy and underwriting guidelines while working with Business Credit Services and operations to practice sound risk management and adherence to applicable regulatory requirements.
• Actively participate in local SBA district events and functions within assigned geographic markets.
• Personally develop and manage a robust pipeline of SBA loan opportunities through self-sourced activities, including cold calling, attending SBA events, and cultivating COIs.
• Establish and maintain strong referral networks to generate consistent SBA loan origination across the assigned market.
• Collaborate with Business Banking partners to deliver a seamless, customer‑centric experience that aligns with portfolio growth goals.
• Foster collaboration with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across Business Banking teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in SBA lending, with a proven track record of successful loan origination.
• In-depth knowledge of SBA loan programs, underwriting guidelines, and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of financial analysis, credit underwriting, and risk assessment.
• Exceptional sales and negotiation skills with a customer‑centric mindset.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field preferred.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.