Ag Credit & Lending Associate

BLACK HILLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION•Rapid City, SD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We have the fundamental belief that we, as an organization, can and will improve lives. Rooted in the centuries old credit union philosophy of people helping people, we maintain a simple premise. Those we interact with will receive equal and just treatment, devoid of intolerance, false judgment, racism, or discrimination of any kind. We must not accept less if we are to fulfill our mission, "We Improve Lives." This mission empowers us to serve the greater good and to make a difference in our world. Our cooperative structure creates a cycle of mutual assistance towards the common goal of the financial well being of members. At Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU), we’re committed to improving the lives of our members every day, and we look for people who share that passion. Don’t have a ton of financial industry experience? No problem. Our onboarding includes an orientation program with ongoing training to help staff further their career at BHFCU by building on their existing strengths. General Purpose: The Agricultural Lender / Credit Analyst is a temporary, developmental role designed to support the Credit Union’s agricultural lending program through structured training in credit analysis, loan underwriting, and member relationship development. This entry level position is intended for a recent college graduate or a skilled industry professional with an interest in agricultural finance and is structured as a time limited role with an expected duration of 0 to18 months. Throughout this period, the incumbent receives progressive training, coaching, and oversight from senior lenders and credit management, with clearly defined performance milestones tied to credit proficiency, member engagement, and policy compliance. The role combines foundational credit analysis, member support, and business development responsibilities and is intended to prepare the employee for successful promotion or transition into a permanent lending or credit role within the Credit Union. Continued employment beyond 18 months is contingent upon demonstrated competency and advancement into an Agricultural Lender, Credit Analyst II, or comparable role. This position is designed as a rotational or trainee role and is not intended to be held beyond 18 months without advancement.

Requirements

Ability to understand and follow complex written and oral instructions.
Ability to comprehend complex functions and procedures and to be able to disseminate that knowledge in a clear and understandable format to others.
Ability to express oneself, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to complete income, credit, and asset review.
Ability to prepare and maintain confidential records and reports.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and develop solutions.
Ability to analyze statistics and financial data.
Ability to interact with more than one department daily.
Ability to produce a high volume of work in a timely manner that is accurate, complete, and of high quality.
Ability to analyze out of balance situations and devise solutions.
Ability to take initiative to resolve problems or unique circumstances.
Must maintain the ability to interact with leadership in other areas, dealers, vendors and team members with a calm and professional approach at all times.
Job requires a four year college degree or equivalent education demonstrating college level language, mathematical, and reasoning skills.
This position requires proficiency in analytical thinking and quantitative skills.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive a company vehicle to events.
Must be capable of regular, reliable and timely attendance.

Nice To Haves

Candidates without prior lending experience will be trained, however experience or coursework related to agricultural or commercial finance/lending is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist in the processing, analysis, and documentation of agricultural loan applications, including verifying application completeness, conducting credit investigations, and supporting collateral valuation and loan structure in accordance with Credit Union policy.
Assist with underwriting, with guidance from the Credit Administration Manager/Ag Lending Manager, smaller and less complex new and existing agricultural and commercial credit requests.
Assist with spreads and analyzing financial information such as year end and interim financial statements, personal financial statements, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
Assist with gathering, consolidate, and summarize financial and credit data to support sound credit recommendations and identify potential credit risks.
Help prepare written credit analyses outlining borrower financial condition, risk factors, and overall creditworthiness.
Confer with lenders, borrowers, accountants, and internal business partners to obtain and verify credit information.
Assist with ongoing servicing of existing agricultural members, including site visits, security and collateral monitoring, and portfolio reviews.
Participate in meetings and discussions with current and prospective members to review business operations, financial performance, and credit needs.
Support agricultural lending growth by helping identify potential members, explaining Credit Union products and services, and making appropriate referrals based on loan size and complexity.
Assist with the development and maintenance of member profiles to better understand short and long term financial needs and strengthen agricultural member relationships.
Schedule and track proactive member contacts by phone, mail, and in person to build rapport, assess needs, and support follow up efforts.
Assist with monitoring progress toward individual and department goals using available systems and reports, and seek coaching and feedback as needed.
Study and become knowledgeable of agricultural loan policies, Credit Union products and services, operational processes, and industry trends.
Collaborate with the Ag Loan Manager, lenders, and support staff to support loan growth, service quality, and member satisfaction.
Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Gain understanding and proficiency of business related compliance issues
Understand SBA/USDA underwriting requirements and documents
Assist lenders and loan support staff in loan closing activities
Learn trends within the industry by attending seminars, workshops and reading industry periodicals