Senior Portfolio Manager- Equipment Finance

Fifth Third Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati seeks a Senior Portfolio Manager for Equipment Finance to lead risk analysis and underwriting across the portfolio. You will partner with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk, drive risk-informed decisions, and ensure policy compliance while delivering strong customer outcomes.

This role requires 8+ years in commercial banking, a finance-related degree, and hands-on credit analysis, structuring, and documentation experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years in commercial banking or portfolio management.
• Subject matter expert in accounting, credit analysis, portfolio management, structuring, underwriting, and legal documentation.
• Strong risk judgment and ability to manage complex, higher-risk portfolios.
• Experience mentoring junior staff is preferred but not required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an independent forward-looking view of client creditworthiness.
• Perform ongoing monitoring and deal reviews; approve renewals or exits as appropriate.
• Analyze historical financials and projections to ensure accurate risk ratings.
• Manage underwriting, approval and documentation for transactions (new money, renewals, extensions, amendments, waivers).
• Provide guidance on deal structures, pricing and risk mitigation strategies.
• Create and deliver portfolio performance reports for senior management.

Skills

Risk judgment

Interpersonal communication

Prioritization

Mentoring junior staff

Collaboration with risk partners

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Make banking a Fifth Third better®

We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

Make banking a Fifth Third better®

We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

General Function

The Senior Portfolio Manager manages a portfolio through comprehensive financial analysis, forward‑looking risk assessment, and proactive monitoring of borrower performance. The role includes regular client interaction, ownership of portfolio risk outcomes, and accountability for adherence to credit policy and regulatory guidelines, with a focus on early identification of emerging credit issues and portfolio level risks. As a senior member of the coverage team, the Senior Portfolio Manager partners closely with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk throughout the deal lifecycle, including credit structuring, pricing, risk ratings, and due diligence efforts. Responsible and accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and personally following policies and procedures as defined. Accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues and ensures that actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Bank's risk appetite, achieves results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Maintain an independent, current and forward‑looking view of the creditworthiness of each client and communicate risk perspectives clearly to business and risk partners
• Perform ongoing monitoring and periodic deal reviews; approve or recommend renewal, modification or exit decisions as appropriate
• Analyze historical financials and projections to ensure accurate risk ratings, early identification of emerging credit issues, and clear articulation of industry and company trends
• Manage the underwriting, approval and documentation process for transactions, including new money, renewals, extensions, amendments, waivers, and ancillary products (e.g., treasury management, FX, interest rate derivatives and commodity exposure)
• Review and recommend credit decisions, perform final risk rating analysis, provide interpretation of credit policy to business partners, and elevate non-standard or higher‑risk requests as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory guidelines and documentation standards
• Manage a larger, more complex portfolio that may include higher‑risk, lead bank and high touch client relationships
• Serve as an active member of the coverage team in collaboration with Relationship Managers and Credit Risk
• Meet directly with prospects and clients as needed, leading diligence discussions for assigned relationships and supporting escalated discussions alongside senior leadership
• Provide guidance on deal structures, pricing and risk mitigation strategies
• Create and deliver portfolio performance reports and presentations for senior management, including risk insights and recommendations
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of system records and electronic credit files, supporting data governance and regulatory readiness
• Participate in senior level team meetings, providing input on portfolio themes, risk trends and process improvements
• Lead or participate in special projects and strategic initiatives that enhance portfolio management practices and systems
• Review work product prepared by junior team members to ensure accuracy and consistency and provide coaching and feedback to Credit Analysts

Supervisory Responsibilities

May include the direct supervision and direction of the day‑to‑day activities of junior portfolio management team members. Responsible for providing employees with timely, candid, and constructive performance feedback. Develop employees to their fullest potential and provide challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth. Develop the appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning. Recognize and reward employees for accomplishments.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in commercial banking, portfolio management, underwriting experience that includes equipment finance
• Subject matter expert level understanding of accounting, credit analysis, portfolio management, structuring, underwriting, and legal documentation
• Strong risk judgment with demonstrated ability to manage complex and higher risk portfolios
• Experience providing guidance, coaching, or review of junior staff work is preferred but not required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with business and risk partners
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, complex transactions, and strategic initiatives while meeting deadlines

Senior Portfolio Manager- Equipment Finance

Total Base Pay Range 96,500.00 - 207,500.00 USD Annual

At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other. Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.

The base salary for this position is reflective of the range of salary levels for all roles within this pay grade across the U.S. Individual salaries within this range will vary based on factors such as role, relevant skillset, relevant experience, education and geographic location. In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with any such payment based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance.

Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well‑being. You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner.

LOCATION -- Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Attention search firms and staffing agencies: do not submit unsolicited resumes for this posting. Fifth Third does not accept resumes from any agency that does not have an active agreement with Fifth Third. Any unsolicited resumes – no matter how they are submitted – will be considered the property of Fifth Third and Fifth Third will not be responsible for any associated fee.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.