Chief Credit Officer

First Federal Bank of Kansas City • Leawood, KS

7d

About The Position

First Federal Bank of Kansas City is one of the largest mutually owned banks in the Midwest and has been a strong banking and lending partner to families in Kansas and Missouri for decades. We are a community-oriented, culture-focused, progress-driven Family on a mission to help people, businesses and communities build a better financial future.
At First Federal, you’ll be supported by diverse, talented, energetic individuals moving toward a common vision of prosperity and a home for all. You’ll have boundless opportunities for growth – whether it’s personal or professional development to reach your career goals, company events to strengthen your connections, or volunteer work to champion our community partners.
Your success is our success. When our employees feel valued, our customers feel valued, and our community grows.
Hear what our team members have to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNPKmutbydo
POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for the leadership and oversight of the bank's credit risk management function, including commercial and consumer loan underwriting, credit policy administration, portfolio risk analysis, and special assets management. Provides expert credit analysis and risk assessment for commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and construction lending. Ensures all credits are originated, monitored, and managed in compliance with the bank's underwriting guidelines and applicable federal and state regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive credit experience in commercial lending, with at least 5 years in a senior credit role.
• Extensive experience in commercial real estate (CRE), commercial and industrial (C&I), and construction lending.
• Strong background in credit underwriting, financial statement analysis, and credit risk assessment.
• Demonstrated experience in portfolio risk management and regulatory examinations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial lending products, structures, and documentation.
• Expert understanding of credit risk analysis, including cash flow analysis, collateral valuation, and financial statement interpretation.
• Thorough knowledge of banking regulations related to commercial lending, including regulatory loan classifications and reserve requirements.
• Strong understanding of real estate markets, construction lending, and commercial property valuation.
• Proficiency in loan portfolio risk management, including concentration risk and stress testing methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex credit issues clearly to senior management and board members.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
• High level of integrity and sound judgment in credit decision-making.
• Proficiency in loan origination systems, credit analysis software, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience managing problem loans and special assets strongly preferred.
• Mortgage lending experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Develops, maintains, and updates the bank's credit policy, underwriting guidelines, and loan approval procedures to ensure sound credit risk management practices.
• Oversees the credit underwriting process for all commercial loans, ensuring compliance with bank policy and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews and approves commercial loan requests within established authority limits.
• Chairs the monthly Loan Committee and presents credit recommendations to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Ensures all credits are accurately risk-rated using appropriate methodologies and maintains the integrity of the bank's credit risk rating system.
• Monitors and analyzes the bank's commercial loan and consumer loan portfolios to identify trends, concentrations, and emerging risks.
• Prepares comprehensive portfolio risk reports for senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Conducts portfolio stress testing and scenario analysis to assess potential credit losses under various economic conditions.
• Establishes and monitors key credit metrics, including delinquency rates, criticized and classified assets, and loan-to-value ratios.
• Provides early warning of deteriorating credit quality and recommends appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Manages the bank's special assets function, including problem loan identification, classification, and resolution.
• Develops and implements workout strategies for troubled commercial credits.
• Oversees loan modifications, forbearance agreements, and restructuring efforts.
• Coordinates with legal counsel on foreclosure actions and collateral liquidation when necessary.
• Monitors and reports on the status of criticized and classified assets to senior management and the Board.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for regulatory examiners on all credit-related examination matters.
• Coordinates responses to examination findings related to credit quality, underwriting, and loan administration.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable lending laws and regulations, including safety and soundness standards.
• Maintains current knowledge of regulatory changes affecting commercial lending and credit risk management.
• Prepares examination-ready documentation and credit files.
• Supervises and mentors a team of credit analysts responsible for commercial loan analysis and credit memorandum preparation.
• Provides training and development opportunities to enhance the credit analysis team's technical capabilities.
• Reviews and approves credit memoranda, financial spreading, and risk rating recommendations prepared by credit analysts.
• Establishes performance standards and conducts performance evaluations for credit analysis team members.
• May originate and service commercial loan relationships while maintaining objectivity in credit decisions.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships within the commercial lending community.
• Chairs the monthly Loan Committee.
• Serves on the CRA Committee and other committees as assigned.
• Promotes and delivers quality internal and external customer service.
• Develops and nurtures a positive and professional working environment.
• Complies with all applicable banking laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and related anti-money laundering statutes, and federal consumer protection legislation and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Benefits

• Executive leadership role with direct access to the CEO and Board of Directors
• Opportunity to shape credit strategy and risk culture at a mission-driven community bank
• Collaborative, values-based environment focused on long-term success
• Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with experience

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive