Community Lending Officer

CHICKASAW COMMUNITY BANK•Stratford, OK

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Lending Officer develops and manages a balanced portfolio of consumer and small business loans. This position serves as a primary point of contact for borrowers, prospects new relationships, evaluates creditworthiness, structures and underwrites loan requests, coordinates documentation and closing, services the portfolio, and cross-sells appropriate bank products and services. The officer is responsible for delivering responsive, relationship-based service while maintaining sound credit quality, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the Bank’s production and community development goals.

Requirements

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in person, by phone, and in writing.
Strong customer interviewing, listening, relationship-building, business development, and cross-selling skills.
Working knowledge of consumer and small business lending concepts, including credit analysis, loan structuring, documentation, collateral, pricing, and portfolio management.
Knowledge and understanding of applicable banking rules, regulations, laws, and Bank policies and procedures, including the Bank Secrecy Act and fair lending requirements.
Ability to analyze personal and business financial information, identify key risks, make sound credit recommendations, and explain decisions and requirements clearly.
Ability to learn and navigate the computer systems, software, databases, and websites necessary to perform the position.
Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with customers, lending support, credit administration, operations, compliance, and other areas of the Bank.
Initiative, accuracy, attention to detail, confidentiality, sound judgment, organization, time management, problem prevention, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple requests and deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Three or more years of bank lending experience, preferably involving consumer, small business, commercial, or real estate credit.
Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships, analyze credit, manage a loan portfolio, and work toward departmental and individual goals.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact for consumer and small business loan inquiries; assess each request, provide appropriate guidance, and coordinate referrals when a request falls outside assigned authority or expertise.
Develop and maintain consumer and small business banking relationships through proactive calling, community involvement, networking, referrals, and responsive relationship management.
Prospect for new customers and consultatively identify lending, deposit, treasury management, and other banking solutions that fit the customer’s needs.
Interview applicants, assess repayment capacity and creditworthiness, and obtain the financial, business, collateral, guarantor, and supporting information needed to evaluate each request.
Analyze and underwrite consumer and small business credit requests in accordance with Bank policy, including income or cash flow, debt service capacity, credit history, collateral support, guarantor strength, and other relevant risk factors.
Structure loan terms, pricing, repayment, collateral, covenants, and documentation to balance customer needs with the Bank’s risk and return objectives.
Conduct site visits or collateral inspections when appropriate to the credit request or required by Bank policy.
Prepare clear and complete loan presentations and submit requests to the appropriate approval authority or loan committee.
Communicate decisions, conditions, and documentation requirements to applicants in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
Coordinate the loan process from application through closing, including ordering or obtaining appraisals or evaluations, title work, lien searches, insurance, entity documents, and other required due diligence.
Ensure collateral interests are properly documented and perfected and that collateral is appropriately valued, monitored, and insured.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely loan files; monitor ticklers, financial reporting, renewals, maturities, exceptions, covenants, collateral, and other portfolio requirements.
Manage assigned portfolio performance and credit quality, including timely borrower contact, annual or periodic reviews, risk identification, and escalation of material concerns.
Perform collection and follow-up activities on past-due or otherwise criticized relationships in coordination with management and applicable Bank procedures.
Promote and participate in the Bank’s special credit, community development, and Community Reinvestment Act programs, as applicable.
Generate responsible loan and relationship growth, cross-sell other Bank products and services, and work toward assigned production, portfolio, service, and credit-quality goals.
Comply with all Bank policies and procedures and all applicable federal, state, and industry laws and regulations related to lending and banking activities.
Maintain an organized work area and perform other duties as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.