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 and serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on initiatives 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 accurate closing documentation.
• Analyze incoming loan approval packages to confirm all required items (e.g., approval, collateral, signers, guarantors) and ensure proper documentation 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 share borrower information.
• Review, process, and validate standard and non-standard documents 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 across varying rate levels and lender distributions.
• Initiate and reconcile fund movements per 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, ensuring timely and proactive communication with partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in resolving complex transactions.
• Collaborate with credit, audit, and compliance to maintain loan portfolios, ensuring proper documentation and core system reporting accuracy.
• Work with Loan Servicing to process participation/syndicated loan transactions.
• 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 and assist with management requests for 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, procedures, and federal/state regulations.
• Navigate Microsoft Office, department-specific software, and other computer applications 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.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles.
• Extensive analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Extensive ability to manage concurrent assignments effectively and efficiently.
• Extensive ability to work independently within a team environment.
• Extensive ability to read and interpret 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.

Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and department-specific software.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Leadership in process improvement and project support.

Schedule

Travel as needed. Participation in system testing may occur during non-business hours.