The client is seeking a Chief Lending Officer to lead lending strategy and performance for commercial, specialty, and consumer lending. This role will be responsible for maintaining the existing loan portfolio while meeting production targets by strengthening current referral relationships and building new channels, creating a positive and welcoming customer experience.
Key responsibilities include leading sales and lending efforts; providing leadership, coaching, and mentorship to lenders while partnering with credit and loan processing teams; overseeing the lending pipeline; managing loan requests from the application process; and handling loan delinquency across loan types. The Chief Lending Officer will also keep the CEO and senior management informed on major sales-team issues, ensure appropriate action steps for delinquent loans and relationships, develop calling programs for prospects and customers, support cross-selling of bank products, participate in Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activities, help monitor asset quality, and assist internal or external auditors with loan portfolio analysis.
The ideal candidate is expected to have a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, accounting, or finance, and an MBA may be preferred. The client is looking for a senior leader with ten years of commercial banking experience, including at least five years of related commercial credit review or commercial credit experience, and direct lending plus lending/sales management experience is ideal. Consumer lending experience is also ideal, along with demonstrated leadership, strong written and verbal communication, strong organization and interpersonal skills, excellent problem-solving and decision-making, the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, and comfort working independently with minimal supervision.