First Commercial Finance (FCF) Credit Officers provide leadership, direction, oversight, and guidance in regards to FCF credit origination, underwriting, and management. The position may be responsible to provide leadership, direction, and guidance to the Market or Portfolio Managers, Credit Analysts or Underwriters, and Loan Origination or Sales staff. First Commercial Finance Credit Officers have a shared responsibility with line and product management for the credit quality of assigned portfolios and are members of various credit approval and Problem Loan Committees.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities- The FCF Credit Officer (CO) may have lending authority up to $7.5 million in exposure and provides recommendations to Executive and Senior Management for the approval of any credit requests included in credit exposures exceeding $7.5 million.
- The FCF CO may have direct supervision responsibilities for the Underwriters, Credit Analysts, Portfolio Analysts, or others in the commercial finance credit process.
- It is the responsibility of a FCF CO to recommend to the FCF management, the Chief Corporate Credit Office or Chief Line of Business Credit Officer, and assist through direct or indirect involvement, in the improvement of Credit Processes, Policies, and Underwriting Standards. They may be called upon to present to, or participate with, Executive and Senior Management in regards to a variety of Commercial Finance Credit issues.
- Ensure the completion and appropriate management of Credit Quality, Management, Underwriting, Analysis and Client or Concept reviews to be in concert with FFB/FCF Credit Culture.
- Approve and Recommend Commercial Finance Credits within the Credit Approval Policies and Processes of the bank within their assigned credit authority.
- Participate in reviews of the Credit Quality (Past Due's, Classified, Non-Accrual, Charge-Offs) and Credit Management (Matured Loans, Credit, Documentation, and Policy Exceptions) with appropriate credit staff in their assigned areas of responsibility to achieve "Satisfactory" or better results.
- Share in the responsibility to ensure the appropriate assignment of Asset Quality Ratings on all loan relationships.
- Assist Special Asset officers in developing appropriate workout strategies to include Exit vs. Retain decisions.
- Assist in reviewing and/or negotiating proposed legal loan documents when requested to do so by FCF management or FCF Bank Counsel.
- Assist in areas of training generally in regards to Credit processes, policies, and management.
- Perform other duties as assigned by FCF management.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job- 10+ years of related experience and/or training: or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex commercial credit exposures.
- Thorough knowledge of bank credit policies, approval processes, underwriting standards, and risk management frameworks.
- Advanced familiarity with federal and state banking regulations governing commercial lending, asset quality, and legal documentation/loan contracts.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent leadership abilities, including direct supervision, coaching, and mentoring of teams.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills for presentations and reports to senior and executive management.
- Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills for cross-functional teamwork and committee participation.
Preferred Knowledge and SkillsLevel of Complexity and Scope- Oversees complex commercial finance credit transactions with lending authority up to $7.5 million, often involving multi-faceted financial structures, risk analysis, and diverse industries.
- Advises on special assets, credit exceptions, and highly complex scenarios through the organization.
Degree of Independence and Decision-Making- Exercises significant independent judgment in evaluating, underwriting, approving, and recommending commercial finance credits within assigned authority.
- Proactively identifies and implements improvements to processes, policies, and underwriting standards, with latitude to propose organizational changes to higher management.
- Participates in organization-wide committees and strategic meetings impacting bank-wide credit risk, policy direction, and process improvement.
Required Supervisory Responsibilities- The FCF CO may have direct supervision responsibilities for the Associate Credit Officers, Underwriters, Credit Analysts, Portfolio Analysts, or others in the commercial finance credit process.
Physical Requirements- Primary work environment is a professional office setting with standard business hours; work is primarily sedentary, involving prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
- Frequent use of computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment.
- Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 20 lbs.).
- Occasional travel required to visit other offices, business partners, or clients by car and/or air (if applicable)
- Ability to effectively communicate in person and via electronic means.
Compliance StatementThe associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.
Development and TrainingPay range $130,000.00/year - $209,400.00/year
BenefitsWe have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide.
Incentive EligibilityAll roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.
