Commercial Banking Associate - Houston January Cohort 2027

SouthState Bank•Houston, TX

5d•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 provides a structured start to a banking career, combining group-based learning and consistency. Associates train onsite in Tampa, Florida, for the first six months, then return to their local market. The role starts January 11, 2027, and is based at 808 Katy Fort Bend Rd., Katy, Texas 77494. It is an onsite, hourly position, with a stated schedule of 40 hours per week, five days a week. Associates develop skills in underwriting, loan processing, portfolio management, and relationship management while supporting acquisition of new Business Banking clients and strengthening existing client relationships. Areas of focus include 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 cross-functional projects, and gain exposure to business-line leaders. With strong performance and available opportunities, associates may progress to Commercial Portfolio Analyst and, after successful program completion, transition to that role for a period of 6–18 months.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree completed within the last two years or expected in December 2026.
Minimum GPA of 3.4 is stated as preferred.
Previous internship experience; preferably in finance, banking, or a related field.
Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Complete required annual compliance training and New Employee Orientation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Learn how financial spreads work and apply the knowledge across different tiers.
Assist with evaluating credit applications by analyzing financial statements, credit reports, and other relevant information 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 to maintain portfolio health.
Conduct periodic client account reviews to ensure alignment with financial goals and bank standards.
Support loan origination by gathering and verifying client documentation and 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, providing financial solutions, and delivering service.
Collaborate with sales partners to identify and pursue commercial banking opportunities, including prospecting for potential clients.
Assist in preparing presentations and proposals to attract clients and expand market presence.
Develop sales skills to contribute to business growth and client retention.
Participate in cross-functional projects involving areas such as product development, process improvements, 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 in financial analysis, credit risk assessment, treasury services, and other relevant technical skills.
Build product knowledge in commercial term loans, lines of credit, cash management, owner-occupied and investment real estate loans, and SBA-guaranteed loans.
Attend leadership training.
Support commercial banking sales efforts by preparing client pitches and identifying cross-selling opportunities for treasury services and other banking products.