Commercial Banking Associate - Houston January Cohort 2027

Southstate Bank • Katy, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

SouthState’s Commercial Banking Associate Program is designed for recent graduates with a minimum 3.4 GPA and prior internship experience. The program provides a structured start to a banking career, with the first six months of training onsite in Tampa, Florida, followed by a return to the associate’s local market. The role starts January 11, 2027, and is an hourly position.

Associates develop expertise in underwriting, loan processing, portfolio management, and relationship management. They support the acquisition of Business Banking clients and the development of existing relationships, with exposure to 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, meet leaders from various lines of business, and contribute to projects that broaden their banking experience. Following successful program completion, associates transition to the Commercial Portfolio Analyst role for 6–18 months, with potential progression to other roles over time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree earned within the last two years or expected in December 2026.
• Minimum GPA of 3.4 is stated for the program; the qualifications section describes this GPA as 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 how financial spreads work and apply them 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.
• 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 tailored financial solutions, and delivering high-quality service.
• Collaborate with sales partners to identify and pursue business opportunities, including prospecting for commercial banking clients.
• Assist in preparing presentations and proposals to attract clients and expand market presence.
• Develop sales acumen to support 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 in financial analysis, credit risk assessment, and treasury services.
• 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 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.
• Structured training and development.
• Potential progression to the Commercial Portfolio Analyst role and other roles over time.

What This Job Offers

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