Agricultural Banker

Dacotah Bank•Webster, SD

About The Position

Under the direction of the incumbent’s manager, the Agricultural Banker originates, underwrites, and closes secured and unsecured agricultural loans in accordance with established lending objectives, policies, and procedures. The role also establishes and maintains positive relationships with existing and potential agricultural customers and other financial institutions. The position performs duties across the credit function, including agricultural loans and leases, and supports the loan department’s objectives. It screens applications, gathers references and credit information, conducts inspections, orders appraisals, analyzes applicants’ financial and credit status, and determines the feasibility of loan requests. The banker approves loans within specified limits, refers larger requests to the loan committee, communicates decisions, and ensures supporting and closing documents are prepared and processed. The role reviews applications for lines of credit and extensions, monitors assigned agricultural loans, identifies delinquent or problematic accounts, and takes or recommends corrective action. It also participates in the Bank’s Lending Call Program and contributes to lending goals, profitability objectives, policies, and procedures. Additional duties include staying informed about agricultural lending trends, assisting customers and coworkers, maintaining professional expertise, and performing other assigned duties. Government programs may be used when considered necessary to meet customers’ credit needs.

Requirements

Loan experience is preferred but not required.
Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of a college education; incumbents typically have a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a business-related field, including specific coursework in agricultural lending, agribusiness, and communications.
Good verbal communication skills and ability to interact with customers and coworkers face-to-face and by telephone.
Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and professionalism when working with customers and coworkers.
Analytical, organizational, time-management, and problem-solving ability.
Good written communication skills, including proofreading and editing skills.

Nice To Haves

Loan experience.
A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a business-related field, with coursework in agricultural lending, agribusiness, and communications.
Professional, civic, and community group involvement in leadership positions.

Responsibilities

Originate, underwrite, and close secured and unsecured agricultural loans in accordance with lending objectives, policies, and procedures.
Perform credit-function duties involving agricultural loans and leases in support of loan department objectives.
Receive and screen loan applications; request credit status, banking and other references; conduct on-site inspections; and order appraisals.
Correspond with or interview applicants and creditors to resolve questions about applications.
Analyze applicants’ financial status, credit, and property evaluations to assess the feasibility of loan requests.
Approve loans within specified limits and refer larger requests to the loan committee.
Communicate loan decisions and their rationale to applicants, and ensure supporting documents are prepared.
Review applications for lines of credit and extensions, and authorize or recommend approvals under established guidelines and policies.
Direct and participate in closing approved agricultural loans and ensure required closing documents are prepared and processed.
Monitor assigned agricultural loans, identify problem or delinquent accounts or loans adversely affecting Bank profitability, and initiate timely corrective actions.
Complete criticized asset action plan forms and refer problem accounts to a superior as required or needed.
Participate in the Bank’s Lending Call Program to build and maintain contacts with businesses, realtors, developers, and other potential loan customers, and provide information about lending programs and services.
Keep informed about developments and trends in the agricultural loan market, identify lending opportunities, and participate in plans and programs to address them.
Participate in establishing lending goals and profitability objectives and developing and implementing related policies and procedures; recommend policy improvements as needed.
Assist coworkers with difficult internal problems or customer inquiries and ensure prompt, courteous customer responses.
Assist in developing manuals and supporting documentation for duties inherent in the position.
Maintain education and professional expertise through job-related seminars, conferences, workshops, and involvement in professional, civic, and community groups in leadership positions.
Use government programs when deemed necessary to meet customers’ credit needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health insurance with 100% of individual and family premiums paid by Dacotah Bank.
Dental insurance with 100% of individual and family premiums paid by Dacotah Bank.
Health Savings Account.
Life insurance for the employee and family.
Paid vacation and sick time.
Retirement plan options.
Additional perks and benefits.
Career growth and development opportunity.
Professional and pleasant working environment.
Competitive salary.