Commercial Banking Associate - LaGrange

SouthState Bank • LaGrange, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

SouthState’s Commercial Banking Associate Program is designed for recent graduates with a GPA of at least 3.4 and prior internship experience. The program begins with six months of onsite training in Tampa, Florida, after which associates return to their local market. The role starts January 11, 2027, and provides training and hands-on experience in underwriting, loan processing, portfolio management, and relationship management. Associates support efforts to acquire Business Banking clients and strengthen existing relationships, with a focus on commercial term loans, lines of credit, cash management, treasury services, owner-occupied and investment real estate loans, and SBA-guaranteed loans. Associates collaborate with commercial banking staff and sales partners, participate in projects and leadership exposure, and develop technical and sales capabilities. After successful completion of the program, associates transition to a Commercial Portfolio Analyst role for 6 to 18 months, with potential progression to other roles over time. The position is onsite in an office five days a week, 40 hours a week, at 555 S Davis Rd, LaGrange, Georgia 30241.

Requirements

• Must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree within the last two years.
• Minimum GPA of 3.4 is preferred.
• Previous internship experience; finance, banking, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Internship experience in finance, banking, or a related field.
• Familiarity with financial modeling or banking software.

Responsibilities

• Learn financial spreading and apply it across different tiers.
• Assist in evaluating credit applications by analyzing financial statements, credit reports, and other relevant data to assess risk and creditworthiness.
• Prepare preliminary underwriting documents and structure loan proposals.
• Assist with monitoring and managing assigned client portfolios, tracking loan performance, identifying potential risks, and recommending solutions.
• Conduct periodic client account reviews to ensure alignment with financial goals and bank standards.
• Gather and verify client documentation for loan origination while ensuring compliance with bank policies and regulatory requirements.
• Learn from internal teams to streamline loan approvals and closings.
• Build and maintain relationships with Retail, Small Business Banking, Business Banking, Middle Market, and Commercial clients by addressing inquiries and providing tailored financial solutions and high-quality service.
• Collaborate with sales partners to identify and pursue commercial banking business opportunities, including prospecting for potential clients.
• Assist in preparing presentations and proposals to attract clients and expand market presence.
• Develop sales capabilities to contribute to business growth and client retention.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving areas such as product development, process improvement, and market analysis.
• Engage with business line leaders to understand strategic priorities and contribute to team initiatives.
• Complete required compliance courses and participate in training on financial analysis, credit risk assessment, and treasury services.
• Build product knowledge in commercial term loans, lines of credit, cash management, real estate loans, and SBA-guaranteed loans.
• Attend leadership training.
• Support sales efforts by preparing client pitches and identifying cross-selling opportunities for treasury services and other banking products.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to leadership.

What This Job Offers

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