Chief Credit Officer

Supervisory Duties: Direct reports include Director of Commercial Credit Underwriting, Director of Commercial Loan Workout, Retail Loan Collections, and Director of Risk Governance.

Job Summary: The Chief Credit Officer (CCO) is responsible for overseeing the Bank's credit risk strategy as it aligns to the bank's strategic plan, including policy oversight, loan portfolio credit quality, and loan allocation. This role will focus on managing the credit functions including commercial loan underwriting, problem loan administration, loan policy, and credit risk management as directed by the Board of Directors and Executive Management. The CCO ensures the Bank's loan growth goals are properly managed through a sound credit quality function.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the Bank's credit risk framework and quality of portfolio, aligning it with market trends, corporate goals, and regulatory expectations.

• Lead and manage the credit administration team, including underwriting, quality of presentation, loan review, portfolio management and analytics, and credit analytics. Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

• Serve as chair (or key member) of the Risk Committee and Loan Committee; ensure consistent, objective loan approval practices.

• Partner with line-of-business leaders (Commercial - Real Estate/C&I, Business Banking, Specialty Finance) to ensure balanced growth and prudent credit structuring.

• Primary credit risk advisor to the Executive and Senior leadership team and Board, presenting insights, recommendations, and performance updates.

• Liaise with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and financial partners, to maintain trust and compliance.

Credit Risk and Portfolio Management

• Monitor credit portfolios to ensure asset quality including the proper risk assessments associated with risk identification.

• Provide independent assessment of the loan portfolio's quality, identifying strengths and weaknesses at the loan, industry, or lender level.

• Oversee credit risk management, including concentration levels, risk appetite, borrower exposure, and compliance with policies.

• Monitor loan delinquency activity on a continuous basis.

• Establish guidelines for and monitor appraisal and environmental assessment activities to ensure that appraisals meet with compliance requirements and are completed in a timely manner.

• Analyze credit trends and recommend adjustments to loan loss reserves, policies, and growth strategies in accordance with Risk Loan Committee mandate.

• Ensure customer satisfaction and account retention as appropriate through quality customer service. Handle customer requests and complaints with prompt, professional and courteous attention.

Policy & Compliance

• Establish and refine credit policies, procedures, and underwriting standards to ensure efficiency, consistency, and regulatory compliance.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations (FDIC, OCC/FRB, state laws) and lead credit-related exam preparation.

• Collaborate with internal audit and regulators on examinations, findings, and remediation efforts.

• Provide technical advice and guidance to lending officers, enhancing credit underwriting standards.

• Prepare and present lending and credit reports for board meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in commercial lending - C&I, CRE, specialty finance, and mortgage warehouse credit. Strong knowledge of credit analysis, underwriting standards, risk assessment tools, and macro/micro economic trends.

• Ability to develop and implement credit strategies aligned with business goals.

• Deep understanding of banking regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management frameworks.

• Proficient in financial software and analytics tools used in credit operations.

• Effective communication skills for stakeholder engagement and reporting.

• Commitment to ethical standards and transparency in credit decisions.

• Exceptional judgment in balancing risk and growth within credit operations

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field (advanced degree such as an MBA or CFA preferred).

• Minimum 15 years' experience in leadership of credit administration, underwriting, risk management, or related banking roles. At least 5 years in a senior credit leadership role at a bank of comparable size or complexity.