Legal Client Services Portfolio Banker

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Newport Beach, CA

17d

About The Position

The Portfolio Banker is responsible for gathering and analyzing credit information, for conducting extensive in-depth company, financial, and industry analysis, and performing due diligence to evaluate risk/return parameters of financing transactions as well as preparing Loan Worksheet Addendums and Speed Memo Addendums. The Portfolio Banker regularly interfaces with Clients, Relationship Managers, Regional Relationship Managers, Credit Administrators and Senior Management, and provides recommendations relating to credit extension decisions. Post loan boarding duties include following for financial reporting and financial covenant compliance and monitoring financial trends of borrowers and value of collateral. The Portfolio Banker is usually designated as the secondary point of contact for specific relationships and is to provide exemplary service to ensure customer satisfaction. The LCS Portfolio Banker acts as a specialized credit analyst and portfolio manager, working closely with LCS Banker/Relationship Managers to evaluate the unique financial models of law firms and legal professionals. The role is responsible for gathering and analyzing complex credit information – specifically focusing on law firm revenue drivers – performing due diligence and preparing written credit recommendations. Post-closing, the Portfolio Banker manages portfolio hygiene, monitoring borrowing trends, partner capital stability, and covenant compliance. The LCS Portfolio Banker is typically the secondary point of contact for assigned relationships and provides exemplary service to ensure customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Legal Industry Accounting: Deep understanding of Cash vs Accrual basis accounting, “Hard” vs “Soft” client costs, and treatment of IOLTA/Client trust and operation accounts.
Banking Operations: Understanding of deposit & treasury, and loan products tailored for professional services.
Regulation E (EFT)
Bank Secrecy Act
FDIC Insurance
Privacy Laws
Regulation BB (CRA)
Regulation B (ECOA)
Regulation X (RESPA)
Regulation Z (Truth about Lending)
Fair Credit Reporting Act
UCC
Investment Products
Loan Documentations
Account Services
Trust Services
Specialized Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret law firm financial statements and partner K-1 tax schedule.
Critical Thinking: Strong judgment in identifying credit risks unique to professional firms (e.g., single client concentration).
Communication: Strong customer-service mindset. Ability to communicate technical credit requirements effectively to sophisticated clientele (attorneys and law firm COOs) and internal partners and management. Ability to actively listen, learn, and collaborate in a team environment.
Technical proficiency: Advanced excel skills for cash flow modeling; proficiency in Bank spreading tools. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Clear understanding of English (spoken and written).
Time management: Ability to manage multiple deadlines/priorities. Critical thinking and problem-solving; ability to work independently.
Bachelor's degree (in Business, Accounting, Finance or related discipline) required
5-10 years of credit analysis or portfolio management experience, with a preference for Professional Services or Commercial & Industrial (C&I) lending.
Ability to travel to various bank locations as needed
As a part of the Bank’s internal control systems, employees holding sensitive positions are required to be absent from their duties for a minimum of two consecutive weeks each year. This position has been deemed to meet the test for a sensitive position, and therefore you will be required to meet the minimum absence requirement each and every year.

Responsibilities

Analyze credit data, financial statements and pertinent information for credit worthiness to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit
Spread financial statements and Federal income tax returns on CASH Insight of borrowers and guarantors
Analyze financial data such as revenue growth, profitability, cash flow, quality of management, and industry market share to determine expected repayment of loan
Compare liquidity, profitability, and credit histories of establishments being evaluated with those of similar establishments in the same industries and geographic locations
Prepares and presents credit reports to appropriate senior staff or committees for use in the making of lending decisions on new, renewal and extension loans
Monitor credit risk by periodically evaluating financial trends, credit bureau reports, pay habits, and other sources of information of the borrower and guarantor(s)
Ensure compliance with bank policy, regulatory requirements and credit worthiness by reviewing and updating all pertinent credit loan file information, and adherence to all loan agreements requirements including following for required financial reports and compliance with financial covenants
Legal Industry Credit Analysis: Analyze credit data and financial statements with a specific focus on law firm metrics, including Work-in-Progress (WIP), realization rates, attorney aging reports and expense allocation.
Spreading and Repayment Analysis: Spread financial statements and tax returns. Perform repayment analysis that accounts for legal industry dynamics, such as contingency vs. hourly billing cycle, uneven cash flows, and reliance on key rainmakers.
Peer Benchmarking: Compare liquidity, profitability (Profit Per Equity Partner) and leverage ratios against legal industry benchmarks and similar practice areas.
Credit Package Preparation: Prepare and quality check credit write-ups for new requests, renewals, and partner capital loan programs; ensure credit narrative clearly explains specific legal risks to Senior Credit Officers.
Due Diligence & Compliance: Coordinate file completeness and due diligence, ensuring strict adherence to BSA/AML standards given the high volume.
Portfolio Monitoring: proactively monitor credit risk by tracking covenant compliance (e.g., debt service coverage, tangible net worth) and soft risk factors such as partner departures or regulatory actions against law firms.
High-Touch Service: Serve as a secondary point of contact for law firm administrators and partners, providing responsive service for documentation request and operational inquiries.