What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commercial Loan Officer position at First Bank & Trust Company of Illinois?
The Commercial Loan Officer is responsible for originating, structuring, underwriting, and managing commercial loan relationships that align with First Bank’s strategic goals. This role requires strong financial analysis, credit judgment, and relationship building skills, with the ability to evaluate complex transactions across commercial real estate, construction, multifamily, bridge financing, and C&I loans. You will work closely with clients, credit administration, and internal departments to ensure high-quality service, strong risk management, and compliance with regulatory and bank policy requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development
- Identify, source, and develop new commercial lending opportunities.
- Build relationships with business owners, brokers, and centers of influence to grow the loan portfolio.
- Represent the bank in the business community, identifying growth opportunities that align with the bank’s lending philosophy.
Loan Structuring & Underwriting
- Underwrite, structure, and negotiate large and complex commercial loan transactions including CRE, C&I, bridge financing, and acquisition loans.
- Analyze financial statements, tax returns, projections, and collateral to assess creditworthiness.
- Prepare detailed credit memos and present recommendations to senior credit leadership and loan committees.
Portfolio Management
- Manage an active portfolio of commercial loans, ensuring strong credit quality and profitability.
- Monitor borrower performance, covenant compliance, collateral, and financial reporting.
- Identify and address early warning indicators and recommend risk mitigation actions.
Loan Closing & Documentation
- Coordinate closing activities with attorneys, title companies, construction inspectors, credit administration, and internal partners.
- Review legal documentation for accuracy and alignment with credit approval.
- Ensure proper funding, collateral perfection, and adherence to internal controls.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers, delivering proactive support and tailored financing solutions.
- Maintain relationships through regular check-ins, portfolio reviews, and cross-sale of banking services.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
- 10 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, or commercial banking.
- Proven track record of originating and managing complex commercial relationships.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, or related field; formal credit training is strongly preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of commercial loan documentation, regulatory guidelines, and underwriting best practices.
- Experience mentoring or managing junior lending staff.
- Must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and written.
- Must possess interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to read and understand relevant statutory and regulatory requirements imperative.
- Must present oneself in a positive business-like image to all internal and external customers.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
There are certain key competencies that First Bank believes are vital to the success of this role, which include:
- Proven ability to quickly grasp and understand business strategies
- High standards and ability to foster a sense of collaboration, pride, and fun within the group
- Well-organized and bottom line-oriented; being deliberate and quantitative about costs/benefits, both immediate and long-term
- Excellent listening and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Able to work independently, but also able to motivate others, including peers and independent colleagues
- Unquestionable integrity
COMPENSATION
Compensation will be comprised of a base salary and bonus. Benefits including medical, dental, and vision are available, as well as 401k plan with potential for company match.