Director, Practice Banking

Utah First Credit Union is seeking a founding Director of Practice Banking to launch and lead a new vertical dedicated to serving dental, medical, and other healthcare professionals throughout Utah. This hybrid role combines personal business development with program leadership, requiring the Director to build a book of business while establishing the systems, partnerships, and team that will define Utah First’s presence in the professional practice lending market.

About the Role

This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the Practice Banking program from inception. The Director will translate strategic vision into a scalable, functional program while personally originating loans and deposits. As the vertical matures, the role will evolve to include direct reports and broader organizational accountability, contributing directly to Utah First’s mission of significance in the lives of members, employees, and communities.

Responsibilities

• Program Development and Strategy
  • Lead the launch and operational build-out of the Practice Banking vertical, defining target market segments, geographic focus, and ideal member profiles within dental, medical, and professional practice categories.
  • Develop and refine product offerings in collaboration with leadership, including practice acquisition loans, equipment financing, working capital lines, and professional deposit accounts.
  • Establish workflows, underwriting criteria, onboarding processes, and service standards specific to the professional practice segment.
  • Create and maintain internal documentation, including playbooks, training materials, and referral partner resources.
  • Collaborate with marketing to develop brand positioning, member-facing materials, and outreach campaigns.
  • Track program performance metrics and provide regular reporting on pipeline, originations, member growth, and vertical KPIs.
• Business Development and Relationship Management
  • Build and manage a referral network of dental/medical practice consultants, CPAs, attorneys, practice brokers, dental supply representatives, and other centers of influence in Utah.
  • Personally originate practice loans, equipment financing, and deposit relationships with dental and medical professionals.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for Practice Banking members, ensuring a high-touch experience.
  • Represent Utah First at professional events, trade associations, continuing education conferences, and community engagements.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with dental/medical schools, professional associations (e.g., Utah Dental Association, Utah Medical Association), and transition/exit planning advisors.
  • Identify cross-sell opportunities across Utah First’s broader product suite, including personal banking, mortgage, and wealth services.
• Credit and Portfolio Oversight
  • Underwrite or coordinate underwriting of practice acquisition, start-up, and equipment loans in accordance with Utah First credit policy and Practice Banking guidelines.
  • Manage personal loan portfolio performance, including credit quality, compliance, annual reviews, and member relationship health.
  • Partner with the VP of Credit on complex or out-of-policy credits requiring additional review or approval.
  • Monitor portfolio delinquency and proactively manage early-stage problem credits within the Practice Banking book.
  • Contribute to the ongoing development of Practice Banking credit policy and risk appetite parameters.
• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
  • Ensure all lending and deposit activities comply with applicable federal and state regulations and Utah First credit policies.
  • Maintain current knowledge of regulations and guidance applicable to professional practice lending.
  • Ensure appropriate documentation, due diligence, and member onboarding standards are followed.
  • Support internal audit and regulatory examination readiness for the Practice Banking vertical.
• Team and Future Growth
  • Launch as a solo position with a mandate to build; transition to leadership as the vertical grows, including recruiting and managing a team of Relationship Managers, Business Development Officers, and support staff.
  • Identify future staffing needs and contribute to workforce planning for the vertical.
  • Define roles, performance expectations, and culture for the Practice Banking team as it scales.
  • Serve as a mentor and subject matter expert for junior team members.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field required. Advanced degree or relevant professional certifications a plus.
• Experience:
  • Seven or more years in commercial banking, healthcare/professional practice lending, or practice management finance.
  • Demonstrated track record of building referral networks and originating loans in a professional services or healthcare market.
  • Experience at a bank, credit union, or specialty lender with a defined professional practice or healthcare lending program strongly preferred.
  • Experience in practice management consulting, dental/medical transitions, or healthcare finance also considered.
  • Prior experience building or launching a new program, vertical, or territory is highly valued.
• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Strong understanding of dental and medical practice economics, practice valuation, and professional lifecycle financing needs (start-up, acquisition, expansion, transition).
  • Solid credit underwriting skills with the ability to analyze practice cash flows, goodwill, and business performance.
  • Established or demonstrable network of referral relationships in Utah’s dental and/or medical professional community.
  • Highly self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and comfortable operating in a build-phase environment.
  • Excellent relationship management and consultative sales skills.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills across professional and executive audiences.
  • Working knowledge of commercial lending systems, CRM tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 4 weeks Paid Parental Leave for the birth of a child
• 8 weeks Paid Pregnancy-Related Medical Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401(k)
• PTO available + paid federal holidays

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM at the Salt Lake City corporate office.

About Utah First Credit Union

Utah First has been serving members since 1935, founded by immigrants who couldn’t access traditional loans and sought to build something better than a bank. Today, we’re a member-owned credit union focused on helping people with colorful credit histories, big dreams, and complicated lives find financial products that fit. We prioritize people over profits and believe in making banking feel human.