Credit Officer

ROLE

The Credit Officer is responsible for providing support, direction, credit information, and loan policies and procedures to ensure the overall quality of the Bank’s lending portfolio. This role will also participate in several committees that are involved in the management of the Bank, including Officer Loan Committee, Board Loan Committee, and Asset/Liability Committee. This position acts as a direct supervisor of department staff. This position also assumes responsibility and is accountable for adherence to Bank policies and procedures, as well as all applicable State and Federal Banking Regulations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position is responsible for the following functions:

• Provide supervision and support to all assigned areas of department operations where service or assistance is needed and oversee activities of department support personnel
• Respond to inquiries or refer inquiries to the appropriate department or person; exhibit the necessary follow-through with customers and/or staff involved
• Prepare and calculate monthly Allowances for Credit Losses (ACL) and make recommendations to Executive Management and the Board of Directors for the amount to be added/deducted to/from the loan reserve; calculation includes analyzing local, regional, and national economic conditions; loan losses and trends; and loan product concentrations
• Review large and complex loans prior to their submission to the Loan Committee; review consists of making recommendations on loan structure, terms, and pricing so as not to expose the Bank to undue credit risk
• Prepare and distribute credit information covering loan quality trends, growth trends, loan product concentrations; work closely with other credit managers in reviewing such topics as local real estate data and assessing the impact on the Bank’s loan portfolio
• Supervise the Bank’s special assets area in curing weak credits, collection of such credits, or the movement of such undesirable credits; assist in the compilation of loan status reports and implementing respective loan action plans; prepare a report re-aging the status of the Bank’s special assets for submittal to the Board of Directors for review
• Prepare and discuss loan information submitted to the Board of Directors for approval; loan information is defined as the calculation of the ACL, graded loan reports, and other loan quality information and trends
• Prepare, review, and modify (when necessary) lending policies and procedures which enable the Bank to perform in a business manner, but not expose it to undue risk
• Work to ensure that individual loans are risk rated correctly when reviewing loans for Loan Committee submission
• Consistent, good decision-making techniques pertaining to inquiries, approvals, requests as they apply to existing policies and procedures, keeping them within assigned approval limits and using these instances as learning tools for employee development
• Develop and maintain knowledge of financial industry, economy, market conditions, rates, vendors, and competition
• Assist in meeting annual deposit and loan growth goals assigned by Senior Management and the Board of Directors; participate in various internal committees assigned by Senior Management and the Board of Directors
• Assume responsibility for special projects; gather data and prepare reports for the Board of Directors and other members of Senior Management, audits, and other personnel
• Play a positive role in the development and growth of assigned department staff through excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, along with strong delegation skills assuring a highly cross-trained staff
• Perform personnel actions including performance appraisals, disciplinary actions, and interviewing candidates for employment; supervise the daily activities of the department including, but not limited to, effective delegation of assignments, developing work schedules and providing necessary training
• Operate a computer terminal or personal computer to process account activity, determine balances, and resolve problems within given authority
• Answer telephones, answer questions, and direct callers to proper Bank personnel
• Assume responsibility for various department functions in the absence of staff members or in overload situations
• Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to EEO policy; showing respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educate others on the value of diversity; promote a working environment free of harassment of any type; build a diverse workforce and support affirmative action
• Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support the Bank’s goals and values; benefit the bank through outside activities
• Treat people with respect; keep commitments; inspire the trust of others; work ethically and with integrity; uphold organizational values; accept responsibility for own actions
• Represent the Bank in various community, civic, and community reinvestment functions to further enhance the Bank’s image and develop additional business; assist the Bank in establishing and maintaining market position in the financing arena
• Perform the position safely, without endangering health or safety to yourself or others and will be expected to report potentially unsafe conditions. The employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations and orders issued pursuant to the OSHA Act of 1970, which are applicable to one’s own actions and conduct

Various other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Work experience in a Credit Officer role or a similar position required 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE: Mastered experience, knowledge and training in financial statement and tax return analysis typically resulting from a combination of education in accounting, financial, and/or credit analysis or related areas. Mastered experience, knowledge and training in all lending activities and terminology. Mastered knowledge of commercial, construction, real estate, and consumer loan processing. Mastered knowledge of related State and Federal Lending and Compliance Regulations, and other Bank lending policies. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to provide leadership, supervision, and training for multiple employees using positive supervisory techniques to ensure maximum productivity; demonstrated ability in organization and delegation skills. Intermediate skills in computer terminal and personal computer operation; mainframe computer system; word processing and spreadsheet software programs. Intermediate typing skills to meet production needs of the position. Thorough understanding of management procedures; ability to plan department or Bank activities (setting objectives, developing strategies, budgeting, and developing policies and procedures); initiative to organize various functions necessary to accomplish department or Bank activities; effectively staff (selecting, training, and developing employees); directing employees towards the desired objectives (delegating, motivating, resolving problems); controlling the function (developing performance standards, measuring results, taking corrective action, and rewarding employees as appropriate). 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 10 Years of Banking Experience is preferred; related experience and/or training; or the equivalent combination of education and experience; work related experience should consist of a financial analyzing or lending background; educational experience, through in-house training sessions, formal school, or financial industry related curriculum, should be business or financial industry related
SKILLS/ABILITIES: Attention to detail, self-motivation, self-management, problem-solving, efficient time management, ability to prioritize tasks effectively, project management, good communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, excellent documentation skills, and analytical thinking

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION
TALKING: Ability to speak effectively and communicate clearly
AVERAGE HEARING: Ability to hear average conversations at a standard level in an office environment around other customers and bank personnel
REPETITIVE MOTION: The employee is regularly required to type throughout the day
FINGER DEXTERITY: The employee is regularly required to use hands to type and maneuver a mouse
AVERAGE VISION: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus with 20/20 vision (with or without the assistance of eyeglasses/contacts)
PHYSICAL STRENGTH: The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (unassisted), as well as stand, sit, bend, kneel, squat, and walk for long periods of time

WORKING CONDITIONS
General professional office environment with climate control. Adequate lighting. Regular hours outside of bank operation hours to complete tasks as necessary. 

MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in non-standardized situations.
MATHEMATICS ABILITY: Advanced math skills; ability to calculate interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages; balance accounts; add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; locate routine mathematical errors; compute rate, ratio and percent, including the drafting and interpretation of bar graphs.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions and instruct others, train personnel, read, analyze and interpret documents and professional journals, understand procedures, write reports, correspondence and procedures, speak clearly to customers and employees.

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.