SVP, Chief Credit Officer

PeoplesBank•Spencer, MA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Cornerstone Bank was established in 2017, built on a legacy of community support and a commitment to helping individuals and businesses thrive. With deep roots in Worcester County and a strong presence throughout Central Massachusetts, Cornerstone combines the strength of a traditional bank with the personalized service of a local institution. Our community-based banking model allows us to deliver exceptional service with a personal touch—every time. Cornerstone Bank is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Vice President of Commercial Credit to lead and oversee all aspects of the Bank’s commercial credit function. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring sound credit risk management, strong portfolio performance, and full compliance with regulatory requirements, while supporting responsible growth of the commercial loan portfolio. The SVP Commercial Credit provides independent credit oversight and serves as a trusted advisor to Commercial Lending leadership, executive management, and the Board of Directors. This role manages commercial credit analysis, portfolio monitoring, concentration reporting, stress testing, and policy development, while offering guidance to line lenders on complex credit structures and risk considerations. In addition to leading and developing a high-performing credit team, this position plays a critical role in regulatory examinations, third‑party loan reviews, and ongoing credit risk governance. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong judgment, and a collaborative leadership style that aligns with Cornerstone Bank’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and community banking. This role is based on-site at our offices in Spencer, MA.

Requirements

Master of Business Administration or an equivalent combination of education and credit experience
Ten+ years’ credit experience within the banking industry
Working knowledge of MS Word and Excel
Ability to navigate Bank’s lending systems
Basic computer skills to enter and/or retrieve data
Must be detail oriented and able to meet strict deadlines.
Must possess excellent communication, organizational, customer service, interpersonal, and computer skills.
Thrives in fast-paced settings, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to change.
Demonstrated eagerness to learn and understand Cornerstone Bank’s products and services.
High level of discretion and integrity, committed to protecting the financial privacy of clients, colleagues, and the organization.

Responsibilities

Manage the Commercial Credit Department. In this capacity is responsible for ensuring credit analyses provides a clear rationale for the advancement of credit decisions as well as ensuring that portfolio review goals are met. Reviews all credit going to Loan Committee and all annual reviews to ensure the accuracy of risk ratings.
Oversee the Commercial Departments data analytics which includes preparing quarterly reports for Commercial Lending consisting of concentration reports, policy exception reports, metrics required by regulatory guidance, and other key data for review by the Bank President and EVP, Senior Commercial Officer and the Loan Committee of the Board. This also entails having a thorough understanding of the metrics and data to create and produce meaningful reports. Also responsible for stress testing the loan portfolio against established criteria and reviewing white papers.
Monitor the risk of the Commercial Loan portfolio. Keeps the Bank President informed of any concerns, issues, trends within the Commercial portfolio. Resolves credit policy issues identified internally or by regulators by coordinating due diligence efforts.
Heads the bank’s Credit Policy Committee and coordinates the development and revision of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.
Approval of loans as dictated by Loan Policy and the approval matrix. In this capacity, will recommend changes to structure if necessary.
Attends Watched Asset Meetings and Problem Loan Committee.
Oversee the review and interpretation of new and pending laws and regulations that potentially affect the organization’s credit practices. Must have a thorough knowledge of banking regulations and their application to loan structure and Commercial lending.
Must be able to research regulatory topics and provide an opinion as to findings as well as develop procedures accordingly. Commercial Lending resource for regulatory issues.
Responsible for the development of a credit staff who have various levels of expertise. Ensure that staff is properly trained and underwrites credits to the Bank standards.
Interfaces with third party Loan Review, regulators, FHLB representatives, and auditors when on site to review the Bank’s portfolio.
Serve as a resource for credit policy and procedure interpretation to Commercial lending function.
Complete all yearly compliance training and testing and comply with bank, federal, and state regulations and Bank Policies and Procedures. Adhere to departmental and bank-wide service standards.
Primary contact and manages the Bank’s outsourced annual independent commercial loan review. Additionally, is the primary point of contact for the regulatory examination of the asset quality component.
Manage, oversee and delegate the preparation of various lending related reports for both internal and Board-level use.
Provide loan review oversight of secondary market purchased loans.
Other related duties as assigned.