Commercial Portfolio Loan Administrator

Bankwell Financial Group•New Canaan, CT

21h

About The Position

The Commercial Portfolio & Loan Administrator is a senior individual contributor responsible for the full 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, helping turn around modifications and advances while strengthening the Bank’s first line of defense against credit and operational risk. The incumbent works closely with Relationship Management, Credit, Loan Servicing, Finance and outside counsel, and exercises independent judgment within Bank policy and delegated authority. Bankwell is a commercial bank with more than $3 billion in assets serving businesses and individuals. The Bank emphasizes high-touch, high-quality banking, industry knowledge, flexible and innovative treasury and financing services, and community involvement. This is an exempt position. The job description is a general description of essential functions and does not constitute an employment contract or encompass every possible duty. Employees must comply with applicable banking regulations, including BSA, consumer protection regulations and OFAC sanctions, and complete required compliance training.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of commercial banking experience, including direct experience in credit analysis or portfolio management and 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, especially 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 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.
Compliance with applicable banking regulations, including BSA, consumer protection regulations and OFAC sanctions, and completion of required compliance training.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Manage an assigned portfolio of commercial borrowing relationships from loan closing through maturity, renewal or payoff.
Escalate events that may adversely affect borrowers, loan risk ratings or the Bank’s commercial portfolio risk profile.
Review loan files, confirm risk ratings and prepare analysis and documentation supporting 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, including assigned workout 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 on earn-out advances, escrow releases and interest-reserve replenishments.
Review closing documents for accuracy, completeness and conformity with approved credit packages.
Prepare and verify approved Loan Checklists and Loan Input Forms before sending 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 paper and electronic credit, financial and legal files.
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 advances, payments and reporting with participating and lead banks.
Respond to client requests for advances, pay-downs, transfers and servicing information while balancing client service with protection against loss or fraud.
Determine CRA and HMDA reportability for assigned loans and support accurate regulatory reporting.
Track fees, including commitment fees and prepayment penalties, and review, approve and submit invoices to Accounting in a timely manner.
Assist with preparation and review of 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; participate in special projects as assigned.
Identify opportunities to cross-sell Bank products and services in coordination with Relationship Managers.
Comply with banking regulations applicable to Bankwell, complete required compliance training, and follow relevant policies and procedures.