VP/Commercial Relationship Officer

Firstar Bank; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Firstar Bank is seeking a senior Commercial Relationship Manager in Fort Smith, AR to attract, grow, and manage full commercial relationships including loans, deposits, and treasury management services. The CRO acts as the primary contact for business clients, delivering expertise, strategic insight, and tailored financial solutions to help clients fund growth and manage risk.

The role requires leadership in underwriting, credit analysis, and portfolio management, with strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field; typically 5+ years banking experience.
• Strong credit analysis, underwriting and risk assessment capabilities.
• Deep knowledge of treasury management solutions and deposit strategies.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to achieving market sales goals by developing/strengthening relationships with business clients and prospects.
• Lead origination, underwriting, and documentation for commercial loans.
• Analyze financial statements, cash-flow trends, and operational patterns to recommend credit and funding strategies.
• Partner with Treasury Solutions officers to grow operating accounts and treasury opportunities.
• Serve as strategic lead for client relationships and drive solutions that deepen wallet share.
• Promote Firstar Bank products/services and maintain knowledge of competitors.
• Manage portfolio performance, credit quality, cross-sell, and deposits retention.

Skills

Relationship banking

Credit underwriting

Treasury management

Business development

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance

Tools

Treasury Solutions tools

Job description

Position Purpose

Responsible for attracting, growing, and managing full commercial relationships to include loans, deposits, and treasury management services. CROs serve as the bank’s primary contact for business clients, delivering expertise, strategic insight, and tailored financial solutions that add lasting value. Success in this role comes from developing trusted relationships, understanding each client’s full financial picture, and positioning the bank’s capabilities to help them operate efficiently, fund growth, and manage risk.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to achieving market sales goals through developing and strengthening relationships with business clients and prospects through proactive calling, networking, and community involvement.
• Lead the origination, underwriting, and documentation process for commercial loans.
• Analyze financial statements, cash‑flow trends, and operational patterns to recommend integrated credit and funding strategies.
• Partner with Treasury Solutions officers to drive operating account growth to ensure deposit and treasury opportunities are captured.
• Serve as the strategic lead for client relationships by anticipating needs, identifying opportunities, engaging the right internal partners, and driving solutions that deepen the relationship and expand wallet share.
• Develop and maintain in‑depth knowledge of Firstar’s products and services, as well as knowledge of competitors and competitive products; proactively promote bank products and services.
• Actively manage portfolio performance and profitability, including credit quality, cross‑sell penetration, and deposit retention while also utilizing methods of collection under terms of the contract, depending on the feasibility and applicability of each case.
• Work Technical Exceptions (TE) to ensure that Firstar’s security interests are perfected in a timely manner.
• Maintain positive relations with all customers, discussing sensitive personal financial circumstances in a frank, yet tactful manner.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced team members to support their development and overall success.
• Represent the bank as a leader in community and industry organizations to leverage local market networks, promote the bank’s brand, and develop centers of influence to identify, prospect, and pursue business opportunities.
• Understand and comply with Firstar Bank policies, laws, regulations, and the bank’s BSA/AML Program. Complete annual compliance training, adhere to internal procedures and controls, report any known violations of compliance policy, laws, or regulations, and report any suspicious customer and/or account activity.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned in support of the Bank’s priorities and objectives.

TRID / Construction Loans

• Review construction documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Review and manage draw process, including budget cost overruns and project schedule delays, and the approval and disbursement of draw requests to ensure loans are not overfunded.
• Develop a direct relationship with the borrower and ensure that relationships are retained even after the loan pays off.
• Identify and contribute to the resolution of construction issues that arise during the construction process. Escalate issues as necessary before they become a problem.
• Handle other construction monitoring related duties as needed.

Qualifications – Skills and Abilities Required

• A passion for holistic relationship banking, viewing funding, treasury, and credit as interdependent components of client success.
• Solid credit acumen and understanding of commercial lending principles, structures, and risk management.
• Knowledge of treasury management solutions, deposit strategies, and liquidity management.
• Business development skills with a consultative, client‑centric approach that is effective in growing customer relationships.
• Strong financial analysis, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate effective strategic, critical thinking, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven ability to work independently while also collaborating across teams and leading internal partners toward shared relationship goals.

Experience and Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Typically requires at least five (5) years of experience in banking.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with occasional standing and walking throughout the office.
• Occasional bending, reaching, or stooping as needed to retrieve files, office supplies, or materials.
• May occasionally lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds (e.g., files, office supplies, packages).
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively, including the use of visual acuity for reviewing documents and screens and auditory ability for conversations in person and by phone.

Firstar Bank is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer: EEO/M/F/Disabled/Vets