Relationship Manager 1

About the role

The Relationship Manager 1– Commercial Real Estate (CRE) is a lender-focused role responsible for supporting the growth and ongoing management of CRE lending relationships through proactive business development, underwriting support, effective loan structuring coordination and disciplined portfolio management. This position works closely with the Regional Relationship Manager (RRM) to develop, maintain, and expand existing client relationships, as well as to originate new CRE relationships through referrals, centers of influence (COIs), and targeted prospecting.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Regional Relationship Manager (RRM) to develop, manage, and execute CRE relationship coverage plans.
• Support business development efforts through networking, community involvement, cultivation of centers of influence (COIs) including attorneys, CPAs, CRE brokers, property managers, lenders, and debt advisors—as well as referrals and targeted prospecting.
• Aid in building and managing a pipeline of qualified CRE opportunities and maintaining consistent follow-up activity.
• Participate in client discovery meetings to understand sponsor objectives, portfolio strategy, capital needs, timing considerations, and risk tolerance.
• Support competitive positioning of the Bank by assisting with appropriate product recommendations across construction, bridge, permanent, and revolving/line-of-credit structures.
• Analyze borrower financial statements and guarantor strength, including global cash flow, liquidity, contingent liabilities, and sponsor experience and track record.
• Evaluate collateral quality and market dynamics, including submarket trends, tenant concentration and lease rollover, rent comparables, capital expenditure needs, and exit liquidity.
• Support loan structuring with appropriate terms and risk mitigants, including covenants, reserves, guarantees, amortization, and recourse/non-recourse structures, consistent with Bank policy and risk appetite.
• Prepare and/or support credit packages for Credit Administration, including documentation collection, financial spreads, and analytical support.
• Recommend approval, decline to RRM and Credit Administration, or submit transactions to credit analysts for review and recommendation, as directed by the RRM and consistent with delegated authority levels.
• Support active management of a CRE loan portfolio to ensure compliance with Bank policy, regulatory requirements, and credit standards.
• Assist with annual reviews, covenant monitoring, tickler tracking, and collection of borrower and guarantor financial reporting.
• Participate in client discussions to review portfolio performance, covenant compliance, and key risk drivers; escalate concerns and recommendations to the RRM as appropriate.
• Maintain credit files and loan documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and current status.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client relationships through core operating deposits and related treasury services that align with CRE lending activity (e.g., operating accounts, rent collections, reserve and escrow accounts).
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Credit, Operations, Loan Administration, Legal, and Deposit/Treasury teams to support efficient execution and a strong client experience.
• Collaborate with management on employee development initiatives and operational activities, as needed.
• Comply with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies related but not limited to lending, operations, and deposit requirements, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, Financial Elder Abuse reporting laws, Sexual Harassment prevention policies, information security and privacy requirements.

  Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience in Commercial Real Estate (CRE) lending, including origination support and portfolio management.
  • Working knowledge of CRE product types, including Bridge, Permanent (Perm), and Lines of Credit.
  • Experience supporting typical transaction sizes in the $2MM–$15MM range or demonstrated ability to support transactions of similar scope and complexity.
  • Familiarity with core CRE property types, including Industrial, Retail, Office, and Multifamily.
  • Demonstrated credit competency sufficient to discuss DSCR, LTV, guarantor analysis, covenant structures, and recourse/non-recourse considerations.
  • Underwriting support experience with the ability to identify and assess key risks related to sponsor strength, market conditions, tenancy, cash flow, and collateral quality.
  • Local market knowledge of Orange County and Los Angeles CRE dynamics.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships and contribute to new originations under the guidance of the Regional Relationship Manager (RRM).

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline preferred, but not required.
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in Commercial Real Estate (CRE) lending or a related credit role, with emphasis on underwriting support, client service, business development support, and credit portfolio management.
  • Familiarity with CRE transactions in the $2MM–$25MM range, with experience across property types including Industrial, Retail, Office, and Hospitality (preferred).

  Skills

  • Strong business development and relationship-building skills, with the ability to support COI strategies, prospect follow-up, and relationship expansion efforts.
  • Demonstrated credit aptitude and underwriting discipline, with the ability to articulate key credit metrics, risks, and transaction considerations.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with clients and internal stakeholders.
  • Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions, priorities, and deadlines concurrently.
  • Sound critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to actively listen, learn, and communicate effectively with clients, relationship managers, and cross-functional partners.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to collaborate in a team-oriented environment and contribute to collective goals.
  • Experience working in a bank lending environment, with exposure to credit committee and approval processes.
  • Ability to draft or materially contribute to credit memoranda and present transaction components effectively to senior credit stakeholders, with guidance as appropriate.
  • Experience supporting both loan originations and portfolio management, providing full lifecycle exposure.

  Additional Requirements

  • Must be able to travel to various Bank locations as required.
  • Equipment Operated: Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.