Credit Officer

Firstrust Bank•Conshohocken, PA

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Credit Officer is responsible for independently underwriting, approving, and managing credit risk within assigned commercial lending portfolios (C&I, SBA or CRE) in accordance with the Bank’s Credit Policy, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations. The role is intended for an experienced credit professional with prior hands‑on underwriting and portfolio management experience, capable of exercising independent credit judgment across complex credit structures. The role serves as a trusted risk partner to Relationship Management, providing sound credit judgment, structural guidance, and timely identification of emerging credit risks while supporting prudent loan growth. The Credit Officer actively monitors portfolio performance, ensures risk‑rating accuracy, participates in problem credit resolution, and contributes to portfolio analytics, stress testing, and reserve adequacy processes. The role requires strong analytical capability, regulatory awareness, and the ability to balance risk discipline with commercial objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field preferred or comparable experience.
Minimum 7–10 years of progressive commercial credit experience, including direct underwriting responsibility and portfolio management for commercial loan portfolios.
Demonstrated experience managing risk across one or more asset classes (C&I, CRE, Construction, SBA, or Specialty).
Strong working knowledge of commercial lending products, credit policy, and regulatory guidance (FDIC / OCC / Federal Reserve).
Proven analytical skills, including cash‑flow analysis, global debt service coverage, collateral evaluation, and sensitivity analysis.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent credit judgment while effectively partnering with business line stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex risk assessments clearly & succinctly to senior management and committees.

Nice To Haves

SBA is highly preferred in this role

Responsibilities

Independently analyze and underwrite commercial credit requests, including new originations, renewals, modifications, and extensions across assigned portfolios (e.g., C&I, CRE, Construction, SBA, Specialty).
Approve credit exposures within assigned lending authority and provide recommendations for higher‑level approvals as required.
Ensure credit structures, covenants, collateral, and conditions appropriately mitigate identified risks and align with Bank policy.
Maintain ongoing oversight of assigned loan portfolios, including risk‑rating accuracy, covenant monitoring, financial statement review, and early‑warning indicators.
Identify adverse trends, concentrations, and emerging risks; escalate concerns and recommend corrective actions or risk mitigants as appropriate.
Participate in periodic portfolio reviews, stress testing, and sensitivity analyses to assess downside risk exposure.
Partner with Relationship Managers and Special Assets to manage criticized and classified relationships.
Participate in problem loan identification, action planning, workout strategies, and timely risk‑rating changes.
Support Problem Loan Committee discussions and documentation as required.
Ensure compliance with Credit Policy, loan documentation standards, and applicable regulatory guidance.
Participate in internal loan reviews, audits, and regulatory examinations related to assigned portfolios.
Act as an independent risk voice while maintaining a constructive, solutions‑oriented partnership with business line leaders.
Provide guidance and mentorship to Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, and junior credit staff on underwriting standards and risk management best practices.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to credit processes, portfolio monitoring tools, and underwriting standards.
Exercises independent credit judgment within delegated authority levels.
Accountable for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of credit analysis and decisions.
Responsible for appropriate escalation of elevated risks, policy exceptions, and deteriorating credit conditions to senior credit leadership.