Credit Officer Ag Lending

Compeer Financial•Fond du Lac, WI

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Credit Officer Ag Lending analyzes new credit requests, makes loan servicing decisions for existing clients, and performs other essential credit duties. The role completes financial analysis and underwriting for a variety of crop and livestock industries throughout Compeer’s territory, making credit decisions consistent with established policies, procedures, and best practices. The incumbent approves or denies requests within delegated authority, with most time spent on loan analysis and communicating decisions to internal and external team members. The role also works with clients and Financial Officers to discuss loan packages and provide financial counseling, and visits clients as needed. The position analyzes financial and supporting documentation for formal and informal lending and servicing requests; identifies and helps collect required information; determines the level of analysis and due diligence based on credit risk; assigns account classifications and probability-of-default ratings; and communicates decisions, terms, conditions, and findings in formal narrative write-ups. It establishes loan conditions and closing requirements, addresses credit questions during processing, closing, and servicing, facilitates negotiation of credit agreements, and develops credit packages to meet client needs. The Credit Officer monitors portfolio and loan performance, guides loan classification, works with sales teams or clients on delinquency plans and other servicing requests, and structures stressed credits. The role coordinates servicing plans and monitoring requirements for higher-risk relationships, checks database exception reports, and collaborates with sales and operations teams to balance credit risk and portfolio growth. The position works with Financial Officers and other team members to support the Team Relationship Model, meet with clients to assess financial performance against Compeer standards and industry norms, and prepare and present peer reports, benchmark analyses, and other financial counseling tools. It helps clients understand their financial position and set goals. The role maintains knowledge of industry trends, crop and livestock industries, production practices, and market changes through publications, internal guidance and training, meetings, seminars, conferences, and webinars. This hybrid position is based at the Fond du Lac or Sun Prairie, Wisconsin office and offers up to 50% work from home. The role is eligible for variable compensation and benefits. Base pay is $60,700–$91,500 USD.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, finance, economics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job’s essential functions.
Basic to solid interpersonal, collaboration, communication, team-building, problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
Solid computer skills, including MS Office applications, customer relationship management (CRM) programs, and internal underwriting and database systems.
Basic to solid decision-making, negotiating, and influencing skills.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other teams to achieve goals and represent the business.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; Compeer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Entry-level experience in credit analysis at a financial institution.
Basic to solid knowledge of agricultural businesses and operations, crop insurance, livestock industries, and associated production practices.
Basic to solid knowledge of loan products, services, and credit operations.
Basic to solid understanding of credit processing and servicing activities, accounting principles and practices, credit analysis procedures, and credit administration, monitoring, and reporting.

Responsibilities

Analyze financial and supporting documentation for formal and informal lending and servicing requests.
Identify, communicate, and assist in collecting financial information required to process lending and servicing requests.
Approve, decline, or escalate credit decisions as required, and determine appropriate analysis, due diligence, account classification, and probability-of-default rating.
Communicate credit decisions, terms, conditions, and findings through formal narrative write-ups; establish loan conditions and closing requirements.
Answer credit-related questions arising during transaction processing, closing, and servicing.
Facilitate negotiation of credit agreements among Compeer, borrowers, participants, and outside counsel.
Create credit packages to meet client needs.
Monitor the lending portfolio and loan performance, and provide direction for loan classification.
Work with sales teams or clients to develop plans to cure delinquencies or address other servicing requests.
Structure stressed credits to meet lending requirements, client expectations, and organizational growth objectives.
Coordinate servicing plans and monitoring requirements for higher-risk client relationships.
Monitor database exception reports to ensure financial, collateral, and loan classifications are accurate.
Collaborate with sales and operations teams to balance credit risk with portfolio growth.
Work with Financial Officers and other team members to implement the Team Relationship Model with clients.
Meet with clients to assess financial performance against Compeer credit standards and industry norms.
Prepare and present financial peer reports, industry benchmark analyses, and other financial counseling tools.
Help clients understand their financial position and set future goals.
Maintain knowledge of industry trends, crop and livestock industries, production practices, and market changes.
Discuss loan packages with clients and Financial Officers, provide financial counseling, and visit clients as needed.

Benefits

Hybrid work option of up to 50% work from home.
Flexible schedules, including ample flexibility during summer months.
401(k) contribution of up to 9%: 3% fixed Compeer contribution plus up to 6% match.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
HSA/FSA.
Life and AD&D insurance.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Wellness program and employee assistance program (EAP).
Vacation, sick leave, holidays, and floating holidays.
Parental leave.
Paid volunteer time off.
Learning and development programs.
Mentorship programs.
Cross-functional committee opportunities, including Inclusion Council and emerging professional groups.
Professional membership and certification reimbursement.
Variable compensation.