VP, Commercial Lending Officer

Columbia; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision and Rx which à

ESOP

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Time

Bank Holidays

401k

Job summary

Columbia Bank in Fair Lawn, NJ, seeks a Senior Commercial Lender to develop new business relationships and underwrite complex commercial loans, including large CRE/CON deals, within approved authority.

You will manage a portfolio of key clients, monitor risk, and work with senior management on loan structure and approvals. A Bachelor’s in finance or related field and 10+ years of commercial lending experience are required; a hybrid schedule is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business related field.
• Master's degree in finance, business or economics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops new business by contacting potential customers and following up on leads.
• Interviews loan applicants, analyzes financial data for credit worthiness and merits of loan requests.
• Maintains performing commercial loans and interacts with key customers to retain relationships.
• Monitors delinquencies, evaluates problem loans and develops action plans for repayment.
• Keeps knowledge of local and national economic trends to assess impact on lending activities.
• Assists in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual loan balance reports and forecasts.

Skills

C&I lending

CRE lending

Construction lending

Strategic business development

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Fair Lawn, NJ, US

Salary Range: $133,290.00 To $199,934.00 Annually

Summary:

Develops new business relationships. Analyzes and underwrites the most complex and/or largest dollar value commercial loans, most of which involve important customers. Approves loans within established guidelines and lending authority. Maintains portfolio of existing customer relationships. May provide guidance to less experienced commercial lenders.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develops new business by contacting potential customers and following up on leads. Cross sells Bank products and services.
• Interviews loan applicants. Analyzes financial and related data for credit worthiness and merits of loan requests. Establishes terms and approves loans within lending authority or recommends approval to senior management. Informs customers of Bank decisions.
• Maintains performing commercial loans. Interacts with most important customers to maintain and enhance business relationships
• Monitors delinquencies and evaluates problem loans. Analyzes benefits of restructuring or legal collection action that may include foreclosure. Negotiates and develops action plans for repayment of problem loans or Implements foreclosure or other form of legal collection action. Estimates financial impact on the Bank.
• Maintains a current knowledge of local and national economic, financial, political and legislative trends. Determines the possible impact on commercial lending activities.
• Assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and the forecasting of loan balances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business related field. Master’s degree in finance, business or economics preferred;
• Minimum of 10 years experience as a Commercial Lender;
• Formal credit training required;
• Local business experience specifically within South or Central New Jersey with potential market expansion;
• Strong C&I, Commercial Real Estate (CRE) and Construction (CON) expertise is required;
• Must have the ability to develop and retain C&I CRE & CON loan business;
• Must be able to produce assigned loan volume as set annually;
• Must ensure and maintain asset quality of loan portfolio;
• Excellent decision making and problem solving abilities;
• Thorough knowledge of lending regulations required;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with customers, attorneys, realtors and other financial institutions as well as all levels of Bank personnel;
• History of community involvement through volunteerism and/or representation with charitable organizations;
• Excellent organizational, follow-up and time management skills.

Columbia Bank offers the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Rx which are contributory.
• Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP).
• Life Insurance, Long Term Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (LTD&AD&D).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) which includes Personal and Vacation Time.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Bank Holidays.
• Employees may participate in the 401k program.

Schedule:

• This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule: 3 days in the office and 2 days work from home, based on business needs. This arrangement may change without notice.

Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Attachments (1)

Columbia Bank 2026 Benefits Guide FINAL 01.01.2026.pdf