Business Relationship Specialist - Waterford

FirstBank Puerto Rico•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Business Relationship Specialist coordinates the bank unit’s efforts to service customer needs and resolve customer inquiries. The role supports Relationship Officers in enrolling customers in and closing sales and services, and serves as a secondary point of contact for customers. The specialist supports commercial banking operations, including account origination and maintenance, loan application and closing processes, loan servicing and disbursements, portfolio administration, customer investigations, and sales referrals. The role also prepares reports and presentations, helps streamline processes, and participates in department projects and cost-control efforts. The position exercises a moderate degree of discretion within assigned parameters and consults a supervisor when decisions or variances require escalation. It has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or an associate degree and/or two years of experience in commercial banking operations or customer service, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job’s essential functions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to write, speak, and understand English.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Customer-service orientation.
Knowledge of banking services and products, commercial operating systems, relevant documentation, and applicable rules, regulations, and procedures.
Knowledge of banking laws and requirements, including Know Your Customer, the Bank Secrecy Act, the US Patriot Act, CRA, Truth in Lending, and Truth in Savings.
Knowledge of sales and customer-service processes, including the ability to manage demanding or difficult customer situations and respond promptly to customer needs.
Good analytical, problem-solving, and mathematics skills.
Ability to work effectively with peers and other departments, especially Closing, Credit, and Loan Review.
Accuracy, thoroughness, planning, and organization; ability to follow policies and procedures and complete administrative tasks correctly and on time.
Respectful and ethical conduct, maintaining composure, tact, and courtesy in a routinely high-volume and demanding environment.
Availability to work overtime when required.
Availability to visit customers and outside agencies when required.
A license to operate a motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

Work with Relationship Officers on opening and closing accounts, commercial transaction banking products and services, authorized-signature maintenance, loan closings and disbursements, and the handling and processing of loan and collateral documents.
Assist Relationship Officers with loan origination by following up with prospects and clients for application information and obtaining required documentation for approved loan closings.
Complete loan-closing checks and searches, including credit reports, OFAC, World Check, and CCI searches; prepare appraisal engagements and order environmental reports.
Process loan payments and adjustments and provide customers with account balances, payment information, and due dates.
Analyze principal and interest applied to individual loans as requested by customers, Relationship Officers, or management.
Prepare or process loan-proceeds disbursement instructions according to established agreements, including accounting entries, official checks, and wires; verify data entry the following day and coordinate corrections as needed.
Monitor portfolio customer accounts for available funds and apply payments according to credit policy and loan contracts.
Handle branch referrals for check-encashment approval requests and refer electronic transactions, including ACH, wires, and book transfers, when accounts have exposure or insufficient or unavailable funds; document in-transit transactions and seek Relationship Officer concurrence for potential Credit staff approval.
Support commercial credit portfolio administration by reviewing maturity schedules and document expiration dates, notifying customers of needed information and documentation, following up on requests, and making documents available to Relationship Officers and credit analysts.
Maintain credit files with updated documents and keep documentation ticklers current.
Receive and initiate customer calls, emails, and in-person visits to coordinate resolution of inquiries, investigations, requirements, and discrepancies involving DDA, loan, and other product or service accounts; follow up and provide customers with necessary information in a timely manner.
Identify sales opportunities and refer them to Relationship Officers and other business areas.
Prepare or assist with reports, statistics, graphics, tables, and presentations as requested by a supervisor or management.
Help streamline processes by using available structure and system capabilities.
Participate in staff meetings and individual coaching sessions as needed.
Control operational costs through proactive process management.
Assist with department special projects as needed.
Consult a supervisor about variances or situations requiring decision-making beyond assigned parameters.