Credit Officer

The Credit Officer is responsible for underwriting high-dollar, complex credit opportunities and provides independent recommendations of the loan structure and ongoing monitoring of these relationships. The Credit Officer is knowledgeable in the bank’s policies and procedures to ensure that loans are adhering to guidelines. Other responsibilities include coaching and guidance to other credit personnel.

Responsibilities:

• Reads, reviews, and understands various financial statements to include but not limited to; tax returns, balance sheet, profit and loss statements, aging’s, borrowing base certificates, debt schedules, equipment lists, business credit reports, credit bureau reports, rent rolls, lease agreements, fall cash flow, personal financial statement, environmental reports, and appraisals.
• Prepares financial spreads for various types of commercial and real estate businesses and individuals establishing a direct obligation as a borrowers or guarantor.
• Prepares credit memos for new or renewing loan requests that will be presented for loan decision. Has a thorough understanding and is able to accurately communicate the following aspects of the credit memos:
• Financial statement analysis including trend, ratios, margins, sensitivity, and pro forma.
• Cash flow analysis including traditional and UCA.
• Collateral analysis including BBC review, real estate appraisals, equipment appraisals, contracts, and purchase agreements.
• Guarantor analysis including cash flow, personal financial statement, and credit report.
• Risk rating
• Analyzes findings through underwriting due diligence and narrates information in a comprehensive analysis using a variety of data analysis (charts, formulas, graphs, etc.).
• Analyzes the credit worthiness of a commercial applicant and guarantors through the review of financial statements and identifies key risks of the relationship.
• Evaluates the credit quality and suggests proper risk rating based on analysis in the Credit Memo. Ensures relationships are appropriately risk rated during the underwriting process and recommends risk rating changes to the Banker in a timely manner.
• Complete independent analysis of the most complex borrowers and new loan requests with limited guidance from direct manager.
• Provides prompt turnaround on customer and credit requests, while communicating the status of loans in process with the Banker and/or direct manager.
• Reviews and articulates findings within third party collateral reports to the Banker and/or direct manager.
• Uses knowledge of the Loan Policy to detect deviations, exceptions, and variances on loan proposals. Ensures that all credit requests are properly approved or exceptions documented based on Loan Policy standards.
• Assists the banker in completion of quarterly Problem Loan Reports on the bank’s risk rated customer.
• Completes annual reviews, risk rating changes, and other file comments to preserve the credit integrity of the loan portfolio.
• Completes ongoing analysis of the large and/or complex credits of the Bank including assessment of financial statements, covenant calculations, and compliance with loan agreements.
• Provides ongoing monitoring of borrowers’ financial indicator covenants for compliance with loan documents.
• Makes recommendations for loan structure and appropriate covenants.
• Meets with and interview customers to develop a thorough understanding of the loan request and the business relationship.
• Make recommendations to credit committees regarding credit approval or disapproval.
• Provide knowledgeable, well-articulated responses to questions received in credit committee meetings.
• Actively involved in credit team meetings.
• Assist Credit Supervisors in the development and training of credit analysts.
• Responsible for sharing your knowledge and mentoring other credit analysts.
• Serve as a resource to the bank’s Credit Analysts, offering advice on all aspects of the credit risk analysis process.
• Encourage collaboration between analysts, lending staff, and locations.
• Complies with responsibilities as they relate to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML), Patriot Act, and Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations (OFAC). This includes participating in any required training and promptly complying with all reporting requirements.
• Knowledgeable on loan products with government guarantees (SBA or FSA).
• The position may require travel to various Choice Bank offices.
• Performs duties outside normal scope as assigned.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 7 years of experience as a Commercial or Agricultural Credit Analyst
• Proficient in financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, and collateral evaluation
• Strong understanding of loan policy, banking regulations, and risk rating systems
• Demonstrated ability to independently underwrite complex credit requests
• Skilled in preparing comprehensive credit memos and presenting recommendations
• Effective communicator with ability to collaborate across credit and lending teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity with government-guaranteed loan products (SBA, FSA)

Travel Requirement

This position requires travel to support business needs, including team collaboration, internal trainings, and cross-functional initiatives. The frequency and duration of travel will vary based on organizational priorities and team needs.

Choice is #PeopleFirst, banking second.

People don’t need just another bank. People need to be supported by a team of trusted partners who will get to know them and their business, understand their challenges, discover their dreams, and recognize the success in bringing people and banking together in our communities.

In contributing to our culture, Choice team members are guided by our core values.

• Embrace change and encourage innovation.
• Know when to ask for help and know when to offer help.
• Better the places we live.
• Work hard. Do the right thing. Have a little fun.

Our vision of Diversity at Choice is supported by our #PeopleFirst mission and our core values.

Being #PeopleFirst means that Choice is committed to focusing attention and resources towards creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued and can do their best work. Doing the right thing means encouraging employees to share their experiences and ideas, and to bring their whole authentic selves to work. Together, we can build an inclusive culture that seeks out, supports, and celebrates diverse voices. We can use our diversity to fuel creativity and innovation and bring us closer to our customers and the communities we serve. Be welcome at Choice. We can see you here.

Disclosure
This job description is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

All employment at Choice Financial Group is “at will” employment. This position description does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

The base salary for this role is listed below. This pay range is posted to comply with wage transparency laws. The base salary may vary based on skill, ability, knowledge, experience and geographic location. Full-time employees are also eligible for a competitive bonus and benefits package.