Chief Credit Officer

Directs, manages, and supervises the lending and centralized loan activities of the bank, ensuring the highest level of quality and profitability of the loan portfolio. Provides guidance to direct reports, approves loans within lending authority, and recommends approval of loans exceeding that authority. Develops, reviews, and monitors the implementation of the bank’s lending policies and procedures. Coordinates with other executive officers to align lending activities with the bank’s strategic plans and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Approves and rejects loans within lending authority; recommends approval of loans over lending authority.
• Ensures the validity and consistency of the Loan Risk Rating System.
• Leads training for lenders to develop skills in analyzing and booking high-quality earning assets.
• Participates in setting loan rates and pricing parameters to maintain market competitiveness.
• Maintains portfolio quality through active monitoring and control of classified credits and delinquency ratios.
• Monitors bank-wide loan concentrations by SIC Code and reports to the Board of Directors quarterly.
• Manages the outside Loan Review process.
• Stays current with legislative and regulatory changes and updates the bank’s Credit policies and procedures accordingly.
• Disseminates policy and procedure changes to appropriate staff.
• Ensures Credit Standard Operating Procedures and other lending-related manuals are updated and current.
• Oversees the efficient flow of information within the Credit Department to enhance productivity and customer service.
• Ensures credit files are current with updated credit and support information.
• Provides quality control of loan documentation to protect the bank’s interests.
• Intensifies collection activities to minimize delinquency ratios and losses.
• Controls departmental and OREO expenses.
• Ensures the bank achieves a Satisfactory or better rating in Loan Compliance and Loan Audits.
• Responds to regulatory agency and audit inquiries; corrects exceptions noted in audits.
• Ensures compliance with all federal/state laws and bank policies and procedures.
• Evaluates and assesses the adequacy of the bank’s Loan Loss Reserve; informs Executive Management and the Board of Directors of material considerations.
• Recommends changes to reserve accruals as necessary.
• Conducts employment interviews, reviews staffing needs, and hires top performers.
• Coordinates with the President on interviews for key lending/sales positions.
• Formally reviews and evaluates performance of direct reports at least annually; provides performance counseling as needed.
• Establishes and communicates performance goals and objectives for direct reports.
• Works with Human Resources to ensure accurate job descriptions are established and reviewed with staff.
• Develops staff through cross-training, classes, and seminars.
• Leads loan training and provides technical information to Commercial Loan Officers, Consumer Loan Officers, Branch Managers, and other lending officers.
• Participates in business development by joining calling officers on prospective customer visits.
• Ensures quick loan processing with 24-hour and 48-72-hour turnaround times for consumer and commercial loans with complete financial data.
• Serves as a member of Senior Management and the Asset/Liability Committee.
• Attends monthly Board of Director meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Finance, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 15 years of extensive experience in management and supervisory roles in bank credit administration.
• 15 years of experience in all types of bank lending with in-depth knowledge of credit analysis, banking laws, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, management, communication (written and oral), analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of managing a high-quality credit portfolio.

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Ability to calculate figures such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Knowledge of Internet software, spreadsheet software, and word processing software.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment is typically moderate in noise level.