Government Guaranteed Lending Relationship Manager

About the role

The Government Guaranteed Lending Relationship Manager supports a designated region by expanding and managing Small Business Administration (SBA) lending activity, including 504 and 7(a) loan programs. This role serves as a key partner to Relationship Managers, SBA partners, Credit, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) teams, and external partners to structure compliant, value-added financing solutions for commercial clients.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a regional subject matter expert for SBA 504 and 7(a) lending, supporting deal origination, structuring, eligibility analysis, and execution in alignment with SBA guidelines and internal credit policy.
• Partner with Relationship Managers to structure transactions, assess client eligibility, and position SBA solutions to enhance client outcomes and ensure compliant credit delivery.
• Participate in client discussions to evaluate financing needs and present government guaranteed lending solutions that support business growth and capital access.
• Maintain and achieve assigned SBA referral goals through proactive engagement with bankers, driving qualified referrals, submissions, and funded loan volume.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and SBA ecosystem partners to facilitate transaction execution and expand referral channels.
• Identify and support CRA-eligible opportunities within both conventional and SBA pipelines, partnering with Relationship Managers and CRA teams to ensure proper qualification, documentation, and reporting.
• Track and manage SBA referrals, applications, and funded loans at the regional level, ensuring data accuracy and visibility into performance against goals.
• Partner with Credit, SBA Operations, CRA, Compliance, and Legal teams to ensure efficient execution and adherence to policy and regulatory requirements.
• Provide training and coaching to Relationship Managers to enhance SBA knowledge, utilization, and confidence in delivering government guaranteed solutions.
• Support ongoing enhancement of SBA and CRA processes, tools, and client experience to drive efficiency and scalability.
• Perform other duties as assigned, adapting to new tasks or shifts in priorities as necessary to support your team’s and the company’s mission.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Experience in commercial lending, SBA lending, or government guaranteed credit support
• Working knowledge of SBA 504 and 7(a) lending programs
• Understanding of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations and eligibility considerations
• Demonstrated ability to partner with Relationship Managers and cross-functional stakeholders in a regional banking environment

Skills For Success

• SBA Lending Expertise: Knowledge of SBA 504 and 7(a) program structures, eligibility requirements, and compliance considerations
• Credit & Structuring Acumen: Ability to analyze transactions and structure compliant, client-focused financing solutions
• Relationship Management: Strong ability to build partnerships across bankers, CDCs, and internal stakeholders
• Communication & Influence: Effective communication skills to advise, educate, and influence stakeholders across varying levels
• Pipeline & Performance Management: Ability to manage referral pipelines, track performance metrics, and meet production goals
• Business Development Orientation: Proactively identifies opportunities to expand SBA utilization and drive regional growth
• Collaboration & One Bank Mindset: Works effectively across lines of business to deliver integrated client solutions
• Analytical Thinking: Evaluates complex credit scenarios and identifies optimal structuring approaches
• Execution & Accountability: Delivers high-quality outcomes with strong attention to detail, timeliness, and compliance
• Adaptability: Navigates evolving regulatory requirements and business priorities with flexibility

Pay

Total Base Pay Range: $82,100.00 - $172,500.00 USD

Schedule

Virtual, Michigan 00000

Benefits

You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html