Summary:

Manage the overall credit risk of the principal loan portfolios – consumer, commercial, residential mortgage, agricultural, participation, leases – including approving and monitoring loans to ensure credit quality, formulation of credit policy and procedures, ensuring adherence to regulatory guidance and federal and state laws, developing loss reserve methodology, management and Board reporting, and developing and promoting the bank’s credit culture;  implement best practices in lending and credit administration across the company; and maximize the portfolio growth through effective planning, development, and implementation of lending and sales strategies that are acceptable to shareholders, Board of Directors, and senior management.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Serves as the principal advisor to the CEO, COO, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors on all issues associated with lending strategies and risk management for all loan types

·         Ensures the development and oversight of bank loan policies and procedures; direct company wide credit and underwriting functions to include prudent credit and underwriting policies and procedures; leads personnel to establish product guidelines, risk limits, and a consistent credit culture; recommends policy change if necessary

·         Ensures heavy involvement in the business community for purposes of business development and goodwill in the community; maintains involvement in high profile and/or complex transactions

·         Provides guidance within the business unit in the development and implementation of goals and business plans that support the company’s short- and long-term strategic objectives and vision

·         Ensures loans, agreements, and risk policy comply with regulatory, compliance, internal and external audit and legal guidelines; annually assess department strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

·         Sets guidelines and policy relating to the accurate and timely servicing of the loan portfolio, including the production of loan documentation relating to the opening, servicing, and closing of all loans

·         Identifies and develops a long-term strategy that will include initiatives such as portfolio concentration, growth strategies, and market concentration

·         Approves or rejects most complex and sizeable loans where difficult questions of policy or credit risk may be involved; makes recommendations on loan structure, pricing, and terms so as not to expose the bank to undue credit risk while maintaining a profitable loan portfolio

·         Calculates the Allowance for Loan and Lease Loss Reserve (ALLL) and makes recommendations to executive management and the Board of Directors for quarterly allocations to the loan loss reserve; the calculation includes analyzing local, regional, and national economic conditions, loan losses and trends, and loan product concentrations

·         Serves on the Board loan committee, as a non-voting member; chairs the asset classification committee; actively participates on the management committee and internal control risk committee

·         Acts as the liaison between the company and auditors and regulators for the lending functions;

·         manages budget and control expenses; utilizes resources and meets deadlines to ensure timely completion of projects

·         Develops and maintains relationships with industry groups and organizations to stay informed of changes in federal and state banking regulations and industry trends; ensures the company adjusts accordingly

·         Builds constructive and effective relationships to support a collaborative working environment; demonstrates a personal commitment to excellence in sales and service to customers and other employees

·         Solicits new business and participates in community or other service programs to develop goodwill.

·         Demonstrates personal commitment to excellence in sales and service to customers and other employees.

·         Demonstrates customer service by managing difficult or emotional customer situations, responding promptly to customer needs, soliciting customer feedback for improvement and responding to requests for service and assistance.

·         Other duties may be assigned.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Manage subordinate supervisors in the roles of credit review, appraisal review, manager of mortgage lending, and support staff.  Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these business units. Is responsible for indirect supervision of lending staff at the market level.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Accomplishes human resource strategies by communicating and enforcing the company’s vision, mission, values, and service standards; assigning accountabilities; delegating authority; implementing human resources and communications programs; planning, monitoring, appraising job performance and reviewing job contributions of business unit managers supervised; develop succession plans; interview, hire, and train employees.           

 

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree required.  Graduate degree preferred.  Seven to ten years, or more, of commercial banking experience.  An extensive background in credit underwriting, administration, and managing bank lending policies and procedures.

 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: A Valid Driver’s License. 

 

Other Skills and Abilities:   

• Superior knowledge of the company’s and industry’s processes, procedures, workflow, and regulatory requirements at the state and federal level.
• Superior analytical skills to determine areas in need of improvement and the ability to find creative solutions while considering all aspects, departments and individuals affected.
• Knowledge and understanding of various credit structures, credit philosophy, and credit underwriting.
• Experience with managing multiple lines of business in commercial lending and commercial banking operations.  Some background in consumer, residential mortgage, and agricultural lending, and managing a participation loan portfolio is required.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and senior management.
• Ability to recognize, focus, and prioritize critical issues.  Flexibility to balance and respond to competing needs within the organization.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to create processes and procedures and to lead a project and communicate results as well as carry out new policies and procedures.
• Superior communication and negotiation skills to communicate across a broad base of internal and external customers.
• Superior knowledge of computer systems and changing technology, including word-processing, spreadsheets, Internet and internal bank software. 

Values Statement:  Meta Financial employees uphold our philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ by contributing to building a positive team spirit and inspiring and motivating others to perform well.  Employees must speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations and continually look for ways to improve and promote quality products and services to our customers.