Commercial Lending Associate

Vantage Bank•El Paso, TX

About The Position

At Vantage Bank, we're driven by a deep commitment to supporting our customers, valuing our employees, embracing diversity, fostering meaningful connections, and providing outstanding service every step of the way. JOB SUMMARY The Commercial Lending Associate is responsible for assisting the Commercial Relationship Manager in underwriting and coordinating the closing of complex consumer, residential, equipment, SBA, commercial building and business loans in compliance with the bank’s lending policies and procedures. The Commercial Lending Associate deal with credit and collateral exceptions and past dues and promotes business for the bank by maintaining good customer relations and referring customers to appropriate staff for additional products and services. They assist in attaining established Bank, regional and branch goals by supporting the Commercial Relationship Manager through active participation in sales management and officer call programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, related field, or equivalent experience required.
3+ years of related commercial banking experience and/or training required.
Prior work experience relating to financial analysis preferred.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures.
Excellent analytical, time management, organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to multi-task and work in a deadline-driven environment.
Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the ability to learn and utilize custom banking systems and applications in a rapidly changing business and technology environment.
Intermediate math skills; ability to calculate interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages; balance accounts; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; locate routine mathematical errors; compute rate, ratio and percent, including the drafting and interpretation of bar graphs.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variable in non-standardized situations.
Must be self-motivated with strong initiative, high level of accountability, and attention to detail.
Ability to always maintain a high degree of ethical standards and complete confidentiality.
All employees of Vantage Bank Texas, herein referenced to as the “Bank”, must comply with the terms of the BSA Policy upon acceptance of this position. The primary responsibility for enforcement of this policy and its operating procedures rests with the BSA/AML/OFAC Officer. However, it is the responsibility of each employee to take the required BSA training modules and become familiar with and adhere to the Bank Secrecy Act, Anti Money Laundering and Office of Foreign Asset Control Policy.

Nice To Haves

Accounting or Finance degree strongly preferred.
Prior work experience relating to financial analysis preferred.

Responsibilities

Interviews prospective applicants and requests specified information related to loan or credit application; corresponds or re-interviews applicants to resolve questions regarding application information.
Performs prequalification assessment and analysis of financial condition and risk of financing requests within framework of Bank credit culture and current economic and industry trends.
Gathers and analyzes all information necessary to present a financing request to Senior Management or Loan Committee for approval; meets with existing or potential customers; visiting sites of loans; negotiates loan terms and conditions; refers and recommends loan acceptance to the Chief Credit Officer or Loan Committee.
Coordinates processing of approved loans; ensures loans are processed according to agreement, customer needs and conform to Bank lending policies; obtains sufficient information and/ or documentation from customers; solves problems relative to processing and servicing of loans within his or her portfolio; approves loan disbursements in accordance with agreements.
Ensures that credit inquiries and UCC filings are researched to determine credit worthiness and appropriate collateral positioning are achieved.
Ensures that certification or deletion of collateral is made by the appropriate personnel.
Underwrites and processes renewals of credit facilities.
Assists in approving draws from lines of credit, and fund transfers within specified limits.
Reinforces the application of superior customer service through his or her own example along with appropriate follow through with involved customers and employees.
Develops and maintains knowledge of financial industry, economy, market conditions, rates, vendors, and competition.
Represents Bank in various community, civic, and community reinvestment functions to further enhance the Bank’s image and develop additional business; assists the Bank in establishing and maintaining market position in the financing arena.
Cross sells the Bank’s other products and services, referring customers to appropriate staff as indicated.
Responds to inquiries or refers to the appropriate department or person and exhibiting the necessary follow through with customer and/ or staff involved.
Consistently applies advanced decision-making techniques, approvals and requests as they apply to existing policies and procedures, keeping within assigned approval limits and using these instances as learning tools for employee development.
Processes, solves and answers complex customer transactions, problems or inquiries.
Operates computer terminal or personal computer to process account activity, determine balances and resolve problems within given authority.
Answers telephones, answers questions and directs callers to proper Bank personnel.
Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the Bank’s goals and values; benefits the bank through outside action.
Assures compliance with all Bank policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal banking regulations, which include BSA, CIP, and OFAC requirements as they apply to this particular job title/ position.
Assists Commercial Lenders manage credit and collateral exceptions and past dues.
Other duties as assigned.