Wells Fargo

Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer | Independent Risk Management

Wells Fargo$215K — $355K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience or commercial underwriting experience.
  • Expertise in underwriting and making credit decisions on complex commercial lending transactions.
  • Knowledge of borrowing base methodologies and collateral monitoring.
  • Experience managing and restructuring challenged credit situations.
  • Strong understanding of asset-based lending and related credit products.
  • Ability to influence stakeholders and make independent credit decisions.
  • Strong communication and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

  • Exercise independent credit judgment and approval authority for transactions.
  • Provide strategic oversight of complex loan portfolios and challenges.
  • Develop risk mitigation strategies for complex credit situations.
  • Lead resolution discussions on complex lending transactions.
  • Establish and maintain credit risk controls and parameters.
  • Collaborate with senior leaders on enterprise-wide risk management strategies.
  • Mentor and influence credit professionals and reinforce risk culture.

Benefits

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance and critical illness insurance
  • Parental leave and critical caregiving leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement
Full Job Description

About This Role

Wells Fargo is seeking a seasoned credit risk professional to provide strategic oversight and guidance for highly complex lending portfolios and transactions. This role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping drive sound credit decisions, manage portfolio risk, and resolve complex lending challenges. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in asset-based lending, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a large, matrixed organization.

In This Role, You Will

  • Exercise independent credit judgment and approval authority for asset based lending transactions within established risk appetite and delegated authority limits.

  • Provide strategic oversight, support, and guidance in monitoring highly complex loan portfolios and addressing sophisticated business and technical challenges.

  • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies for complex credit situations requiring advanced analytical skills, sound judgment, and creative problem-solving.

  • Lead the approval discussions and resolution of complex asset based lending transactions, including challenged credit situations.

  • Establish and maintain credit risk parameters and controls based on exposure levels, collateral values, borrowing base availability, advance rates, concentrations, and portfolio characteristics.

  • Partner with senior leaders to design and implement large-scale, cross-functional, and enterprise-wide risk management strategies.

  • Collaborate across business lines and Corporate Risk to drive consistency, transparency, and effective risk-based decision-making.

  • Serve as a trusted advisor by providing strategic recommendations, credit expertise, and resolution strategies for complex borrower situations.

  • Foster strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, customers, and external advisors to support sound risk management and business objectives.

  • Mentor and influence credit professionals while reinforcing a strong and consistent risk culture across the organization.

Required Qualifications

  • 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience, commercial underwriting experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education.

Desired Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience underwriting and/or making credit decisions on complex commercial lending transactions, including asset-based lending facilities and borrowing-base collateral structures.

  • Extensive knowledge of borrowing base methodologies, collateral monitoring, field examinations, appraisals, and liquidity analysis.

  • Experience approving and managing exposure secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and other collateral-based lending structures.

  • Experience managing challenged credits, including restructurings, workouts, bankruptcy-related situations, and distressed borrower scenarios.

  • Strong knowledge of asset-based lending and non-loan credit products, including derivatives, swaps, letters of credit, and treasury management products.

  • Knowledge of syndicated lending structures, intercreditor arrangements, and multi-bank credit facilities.

  • Prior Credit Officer experience and delegated approval authority strongly preferred.

  • Proven ability to drive process improvements, manage competing priorities, and deliver strong business and risk outcomes.

  • Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and making sound independent credit decisions within a large, matrixed organization.

  • Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to effectively challenge and influence business partners while maintaining a solutions-oriented approach.

  • Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor junior credit professionals.

Work Locations

  • 10 S Wacker Dr – Chicago, Illinois 60606

  • 125 High St – Boston, Massachusetts 02110

  • 100 N 18th St – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

  • 401 S Tryon St – Charlotte, North Carolina 28282

  • 401 W Las Colinas Blvd – Irving, Texas 75039

  • 600 S 4th St – Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415

  • 1150 W Washington St – Tempe, Arizona 85288

  • 800 S Jordan Creek Pkwy – West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Job Expectations

  • Required location listed above. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

  • This position currently offers a hybrid work schedule.

  • This position is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location. The range listed is just one component of the compensation package offered to candidates.

Salary is just one component of Wells Fargo's total rewards package. Depending on the role, a Wells Fargo's employee may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, such as sales incentives, discretionary bonuses, and/or equity in the company in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

$215,000.00 - $355,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

23 Aug 2026

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Careers

Joining Wells Fargo means becoming part of a distinguished financial institution that has been a cornerstone of innovation and leadership in the banking industry. At Wells Fargo, we offer a plethora of job opportunities designed to empower your career growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Work You’ll Do

At Wells Fargo, you will be part of a team that values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we invest in their professional growth through comprehensive leadership and diversity training programs that are recognized industry-wide.

Explore a Multitude of Career Paths

Whether you're interested in a position in finance, IT, customer service, or management, Wells Fargo has career opportunities in various fields. Our team members benefit from job stability, competitive benefits, and a culture that values and rewards performance and dedication.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Wells Fargo internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry exposure, professional skills development, and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment offers. Interns at Wells Fargo work on real projects, solve actual challenges, and gain the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. Wells Fargo offers robust training programs and resources to help every team member excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. Growth at Wells Fargo is not just about climbing the career ladder but expanding your skills and expertise to add value to our team and customers.

Benefits and Rewards

Wells Fargo is committed to the well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Additionally, we provide unique perks like employee discounts, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Join Our Team

Discover the opportunities waiting for you at Wells Fargo by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who bring creativity, passion, and a drive to serve our customers.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Wells Fargo Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that align with your career preferences and get insider tips on crafting the perfect resume and acing your interview.

Networking and Innovation

At Wells Fargo, networking and innovation go hand in hand. We encourage our employees to connect across departments and roles to foster new ideas and strategies that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Empower Your Career

Step into a role at Wells Fargo where your skills will be honed, your achievements recognized, and your career can flourish. We're not just filling positions; we're building leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world. Join Wells Fargo today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of banking.
Learn more about Wells Fargo
Size
246,577 employees
Market Cap
$155.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.3 billion
Founded
1852
5 Year Trend
-5.9%
NASDAQ

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