Customers Bank

SVP, Sr Credit Officer - SAG

Customers Bank • $175K — $210K *
Melville, NY 11747In-Person
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of commercial real estate credit experience, focusing on problem loans and workouts.
  • Demonstrated negotiation prowess in loan modifications and distressed asset resolution.
  • Prior roles as a CRE credit officer or in senior underwriting within financial institutions.
  • Strong analytical capabilities, adept at evaluating complex financial data and market conditions.
  • Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration; MBA preferred, formal credit training a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate complex commercial real estate credit requests and approve financing solutions.
  • Monitor portfolios to identify deteriorating credits and devise workout strategies.
  • Negotiate restructuring terms with borrowers and external parties on distressed loans.
  • Revise and maintain CRE credit policies reflecting current market and regulatory requirements.
  • Prepare credit and workout reports for the Board, identifying portfolio weaknesses.
  • Act as a lending subject matter expert to enhance technology systems and workflows.
  • Mentor junior staff and foster a culture of risk management and continuous improvement.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for leadership development and mentorship.
  • Access to formal training programs focused on credit and risk management.
  • Collaborative work environment across multiple departments and projects.
  • Engagement with senior leadership and board-level exposure.
  • Possibility of working on significant strategic initiatives within the bank.
Full Job Description
Salary range: An annual salary range of $175,000 - $210,000 is what we expect to pay for this position, based on overall skills and experience.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship, now or in the future, to be considered.

What You'll Do:

CRE Credit Underwriting & Approval
  • Evaluate and approve complex commercial real estate credit requests, ensuring sound underwriting, appropriate loan structure, and alignment with the Bank's risk appetite.
  • Collaborate with CRE relationship managers to develop financing solutions that balance business development objectives with prudent credit risk management.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of property-level cash flows, sponsor strength, market fundamentals, and collateral valuation to support well-reasoned credit decisions.
  • Ensure the timely and accurate completion of credit reviews, risk rating assessments, and covenant compliance tracking across the CRE portfolio.

Problem Loan Identification & Workout
  • Lead early identification of deteriorating CRE credits through proactive portfolio monitoring, financial trend analysis, and market surveillance.
  • Develop and execute workout and restructuring strategies for problem and criticized/classified CRE loans, including loan modifications, forbearance agreements, note sales, and foreclosure/REO processes as needed.
  • Negotiate directly with borrowers, guarantors, and their counsel on restructuring terms; coordinate with outside legal counsel, receivers, and appraisers on distressed assets.
  • Recommend and support appropriate risk ratings, reserve levels, and impairment analysis for problem CRE credits in coordination with Finance and Risk.
  • Organize and facilitate Problem Loan Meetings and produce ad hoc workout portfolio reporting for senior leadership and the Board.

Credit Policy & Process Support (CRE-Focused)
  • Author, revise, and maintain CRE-specific credit policy and underwriting guidelines to reflect current risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and market conditions.
  • Propose and document policy or process changes in response to regulatory findings, audit observations, or identified weaknesses within the CRE portfolio.
  • Partner with the broader credit and lending teams to develop process improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency, and risk discipline in CRE underwriting and workout.
  • Deliver formal and ad hoc training to CRE lending and credit support staff on policy changes, underwriting standards, and workout procedures.

Reporting & Governance
  • Prepare CRE credit and workout portfolio reports and analytics for the Board Credit Committee and Board of Directors.
  • Support identification and escalation of areas of CRE portfolio weakness or concentration risk.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders - including the CLO, CCO, Compliance, Internal Audit, and Internal Loan Review - on CRE credit and workout matters.

Technology & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Act as a key CRE lending subject matter expert for core lending technology platforms (e.g., nCino, eLoans), supporting system enhancements, workflow design, and user adoption.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Accounting, Finance, and Risk teams on CRE-related matters including CECL, regulatory reporting, and financial modeling for classified assets.
  • Collaborate with Compliance and Legal to ensure CRE credit and workout practices align with applicable regulations and internal control requirements.

Leadership & Mentorship
  • Serve as a key member of the Bank's credit leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and CRE portfolio risk management.
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and informal training to junior credit and workout staff; foster a culture of intellectual rigor, continuous learning, and sound risk management.
  • Develop and implement strategic initiatives aimed at improving CRE underwriting quality, workout outcomes, and operational efficiency.


What Do You Need?

Experience & Expertise
  • 10+ years of commercial real estate credit experience, including significant exposure to problem loan identification, restructuring, and workout.
  • Proven experience negotiating loan modifications, forbearances, and distressed asset resolutions with borrowers, guarantors, and legal counsel.
  • Prior experience in a CRE credit officer, credit risk, or senior CRE underwriting role at a commercial bank or financial institution.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex CRE financial information, market dynamics, collateral risk, and borrower-specific factors to render well-reasoned credit and workout decisions.

Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required.
  • MBA or graduate degree preferred; formal credit training program (e.g., RMA Credit Risk Certification, ABA Stonier, or equivalent) a plus.

Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly articulate complex credit and workout concepts to senior management and the Board.
  • Strong negotiation skills, particularly in distressed-borrower and restructuring contexts.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Demonstrated leadership presence and ability to influence across lines of business and functional areas.
  • Working knowledge of regulatory requirements governing commercial real estate lending, credit risk, classified assets, and loan portfolio management.

Technology Skills:
  • Ability to work with the Microsoft Suite and learn/work with other Customers Bank applications.
  • Proficiency with core lending and credit systems (e.g., nCino, eLoans); ability to act as a subject matter expert for system enhancements, workflow design, and user adoption.
  • Familiarity with AI and automation tools that support productivity, workflow efficiency, and client engagement.

About Customers Bank

Customers Bank is a full-service bank that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. The bank offers checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards, and wealth management services, among others. Customers Bank operates through a network of branches and ATMs in several states, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Illinois. The bank is known for its innovative digital banking solutions, such as its mobile app and online banking platform, which allow customers to manage their accounts and transactions from anywhere, anytime.
Learn more about Customers Bank
Size
1,200 employees
Industry
Finance & Insurance
* Ladders Estimates

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