Commercial Specialized Lending Closer

About the role

The Commercial Specialized Lending Closer processes and supports core operational functions within Commercial Loan Specialty Financing (e.g., Sponsor Finance, Equipment Finance, Sports Finance, Corporate Finance) while ensuring compliance with department procedures, corporate policies, compliance, audit, and legal requirements. This role maintains in-depth knowledge of all functions within the Specialty Finance groups to support and process as needed, serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on initiatives, and supports all projects within the assigned area.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main contact point with Specialty Finance teams and other financial institutions, responding to or initiating complex requests.
• Read and interpret complex legal credit agreements and related documentation, collaborating with attorneys to ensure all required closing documentation is accurate.
• Analyze incoming loan approval packages for all necessary items (e.g., approval, collateral, signers, guarantors) to ensure proper documentation is produced based on product and approval terms.
• Complete special processing for high-value, unique loan relationships as agreed upon by the bank.
• Independently manage all aspects of a deal from post-approval to closing.
• Work with Treasury Management to ensure all borrower information is shared.
• Complete standard and non-standard document review, processing, and validation for funding new syndicated, participated, or Specialty Finance transactions.
• Initiate loan activity (funding, repricing, payment) as instructed by the client in accordance with credit agreements.
• Calculate and track complex interest and fee accruals at various rate levels across changing lender distributions.
• Initiate and reconcile funds' movements in accordance with client/lender instructions.
• Research issues for relationship managers, client services, and customers.
• Monitor and escalate past due principal, interest, and fees to ensure accurate loan accounting and timely client invoices.
• Maintain margin changes and communicate updates to the bank group.
• Provide information as requested by clients, business partners, or lenders.
• Serve as the department’s escalation point for issues, providing timely and proactive communications with partners and stakeholders.
• Assist with resolving complex transactions.
• Work with credit, audit, and compliance to maintain loan portfolios, ensuring proper documentation and core system reporting accuracy.
• Process participation/syndicated loan transactions with Loan Servicing.
• Identify, recommend, and enhance processing activities to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
• Complete cross-training in all disciplines/functions of the Specialty Team and serve as backup for all team functions.
• Provide project support from department-level to bank-level initiatives, utilizing and challenging mid- to high-level procedures.
• Assist with management requests to support department audits.
• Participate in system testing, which may occur during non-business hours.
• Assist with administrative tasks associated with the terms of a Credit Agreement.
• Perform quality control on new deals, restructures, and amendments by verifying system setup accuracy.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure a timely, smooth customer experience.
• Train designated team members on the end-to-end process.
• Provide backup support for Trade Services and Letter of Credit products.
• Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, as well as federal/state regulations.
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, department-specific applications, and other computer tools to maximize efficiency.
• Work as part of a team and with on-site equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Mathematics preferred.
• 3–5 years of related job or industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of accounting principles.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and proven decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage concurrent assignments effectively, efficiently, and in an organized manner.
• Ability to work independently within a team environment.
• Extensive experience reading and interpreting loan documentation.
• Self-starter with excellent follow-through, time management, and organizational skills.
• Experience working in a production environment under time constraints and strict deadlines.

Travel

As needed.