Commercial Portfolio Loan Administrator

Bankwell Financial Group•New Canaan, CT

About The Position

The Commercial Portfolio & Loan Administrator is a senior individual contributor responsible for the post-approval lifecycle of an assigned portfolio of Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Commercial & Industrial (C&I), construction, and small-business credits. The role combines active credit portfolio management—including risk-rating integrity, covenant monitoring, financial analysis, and early identification of deteriorating credits—with senior commercial loan administration, including closing coordination, documentation review, construction draw administration, and servicing controls. The position serves as an accountable partner to Relationship Managers from closing through maturity, renewal, or payoff, and exercises independent judgment within Bank policy and delegated authority. The administrator works closely with Relationship Management, Credit, Loan Servicing, Finance, outside counsel, borrowers, and participating or lead banks. Responsibilities span portfolio monitoring and credit actions; loan closing, documentation, construction lending, and participation administration; and compliance, reporting, and controls. The role also supports relationship growth, process improvement, and special projects. Bankwell is a commercial bank with more than $3 billion in assets serving businesses and individuals. It emphasizes high-touch, high-quality banking, business and commercial banking expertise, community involvement, and support for not-for-profit organizations. The position is exempt. Compensation is listed as $118,000 to $132,000 annually. Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
At least 7 years of commercial banking experience, including direct experience in credit analysis or portfolio management and in commercial loan administration or documentation.
Demonstrated experience with CRE, C&I, and construction loans, including construction draw administration and loan participations.
Experience preparing, reviewing, and interpreting loan documentation.
Strong understanding of commercial credit products, Bank policies and procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements, including CRA, HMDA, and flood insurance rules.
Strong analytical skills, including financial statement spreading, cash flow and covenant analysis, and evaluation of rent rolls and leases.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and CoPilot; working knowledge of Fiserv and SharePoint.
Sound independent judgment and ability to make timely decisions on client transactions while protecting the Bank from loss or fraud.
Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Relationship Managers, senior credit officers, clients, and outside counsel.
Collaborative, service-oriented, and self-directed approach; ability to contribute positively as part of a team and adhere to applicable policies and procedures.
Comply with banking regulations applicable to Bankwell, including BSA, consumer protection regulations, and OFAC sanctions, and complete required compliance training.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
10 or more years of commercial banking experience.
SBA loan administration experience.
Formal credit training, such as RMA or a bank-sponsored credit program.

Responsibilities

Actively manage an assigned portfolio of commercial borrowing relationships from loan closing through maturity, renewal, or payoff.
Immediately escalate events that may adversely affect a borrower, loan risk rating, or the Bank’s commercial portfolio risk profile.
Review loan files, assess risk-rating appropriateness, and prepare written analysis and supporting documentation for recommended rating changes.
Track and test financial and non-financial covenant compliance, document exceptions, and recommend remedies or waivers.
Obtain and spread borrower and guarantor financial statements, tax returns, rent rolls, and leases; prepare annual reviews and rent roll analyses.
Monitor and help manage non-performing, underperforming, and delinquent loans, and manage assigned work-out or troubled credits.
Conduct site inspections and document findings in credit files.
Prepare and complete quarterly Watch/Adversely Rated (WAR) reports.
Prepare and present requests for loan modifications, extensions, line renewals, and smaller incremental increases within delegated authority.
Assemble information for Credit Review renewals and modifications, resolve loan review exceptions and tickler items, and exercise judgment on their disposition.
Coordinate with Group Directors to process earn-out advances, escrow releases, and interest-reserve replenishments.
Review loan closing documents for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with approved credit packages.
Prepare and verify Loan Checklists and Loan Input Forms before delivering closing packages to Loan Servicing.
Generate internal loan documentation for non-attorney closings and coordinate commercial loan closings with Group Directors and outside counsel.
Order and review appraisals, environmental reports, UCC searches, title searches, and flood-zone determinations.
Record mortgages and UCC-1 financing statements for non-attorney closings, and maintain and archive credit, financial, and legal files in paper and electronic form.
Administer the commercial construction loan portfolio, when applicable, including preparing draw requests, ordering site inspections, reviewing borrower documentation and lien waivers, and advancing funds.
Coordinate with participating and lead banks on advances, payments, and reporting.
Respond to client requests for advances, pay-downs, transfers, and servicing information while weighing client service against the Bank’s exposure to loss or fraud.
Determine CRA and HMDA reportability for assigned loans and support accurate regulatory reporting.
Track fees, including commitment fees and prepayment penalties; review, approve, and submit invoices to Accounting promptly.
Assist with preparing and reviewing monthly Board and management reports.
Stay current on lending laws, regulations, and Bank policies, and maintain strict confidentiality of customer information.
Identify and recommend process improvements to strengthen controls and efficiency across Portfolio Management and Loan Operations, and participate in special projects as assigned.
Support relationship growth by identifying opportunities to cross-sell Bank products and services in coordination with Relationship Managers.
Comply with applicable banking regulations, including BSA, consumer protection regulations, and OFAC sanctions; complete required compliance training and follow applicable policies and procedures.