Ag Banker

First Western Bank is searching for an on-site Ag Banker at our community bank in either Sioux Falls or Harrisburg, SD.

ABOUT THE BANK:

Founded in 1964, First Western Bank is built on a solid foundation of values and principles established by Jack Hoeven — values that continue to guide us today. We take pride in investing in and giving back to the communities we serve. We treat everyone with respect, set high standards of excellence, and remain dedicated to our customers. With unwavering integrity, we maintain a culture of honesty, transparency, reliability, and trust.

 AG BANKER POSITION OVERVIEW: 

Develop new agricultural loan business through securing, structuring, and closing loans, as well as maintain and service existing Ag lending portfolio.

• Conduct sales calls and meet with prospective and existing customers to establish new loan business
• Represent the bank in local community and at agriculture meetings and events to market the bank’s products, services, and expertise
• Administer individual loan portfolio including agriculture, agri-business, and other assigned loans 
• Manage all new loan relationships and assigned relationships
• Service all performing and non-performing loans within individual loan portfolio
• Interview loan customers to determine lending needs
• Work with the Farm Service Agency, Small Business Administration, and Bank of North Dakota to qualify customers for available lending programs 
• Negotiate direct lending terms as well as collateral and payment structures
• Meet with customers to request information for loan applications, credit reports, background checks, and other information needed for loan evaluation
• Compile financial information including income tax records, balance sheets, annual cash flow budgets, and other data to create loan spreads
• Analyze applicant financial status and conduct collateral evaluations to make lending decisions
• Approve credits up to authorized lending limit and prepare those that exceed limits for loan committee and/or Board approval

AG BANKER EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Five years’ experience in bank lending, loan review, compliance, or finance
• Strong understanding of financial statements and credit standards
• Knowledge of agriculture industry preferred

AG BANKER COMPETENCIES: 

• Building Relationships – able to grow and maintain strong long-term customer relationships
• Business Judgment – able to identify business relationships and make sound decisions that are in the best interest and long-term success of the bank
• Communication – excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly convey information to diverse audiences
• Customer Focus – able to understand customer needs and promote the value of the bank’s products and services
• Emotional Intelligence – can navigate difficult situations with empathy and understanding, fostering positive relationships
• Interpersonal Skills – can communicate and interact with others in a way that promotes mutual respect and trust
• Negotiation – able to lead negotiations and convert them to mutually beneficial agreements or solutions
• Persuasiveness – ability to build strong relationships and trust with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders; fostering collaboration and consensus
• Problem-Solving – skilled in identifying and resolving complex problems using analytical and critical thinking skills
• Resilience – able to bounce back from difficult situations and maintain a positive attitude and performance
• Teamwork – proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment to achieve common goals
• Time Management – highly organized and efficient, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Willingness to Learn – open to new ideas, seeks opportunities to expand knowledge and skills, actively participates in training programs, and seeks feedback to enhance performance
• Technology - skilled in Microsoft Office (Publisher, Power Point, Word, Excel, Outlook), and social media platforms

First Western Bank & Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status.