BUSINESS LENDER

Role

The Business Lender is responsible for originating, underwriting, and managing a portfolio of commercial and Member Business Loans (MBL) in alignment with the Credit Union's strategic growth and asset quality objectives. This role drives new business development through proactive networking, relationship management, and community engagement, while building and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective business members. The Business Lender delivers consultative lending solutions by identifying credit and deposit opportunities and promoting the Credit Union's full suite of business products and services. The position requires strong independent underwriting expertise, including financial statement analysis, cash flow evaluation, and repayment capacity assessment, within established policies and approval authority. The Business Lender is accountable for maintaining high credit quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing exceptional member service, while serving as the primary liaison with the Credit Union's third-party business lending service provider.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Proactively originates, structures, and underwrites commercial and member business loan requests for both existing and prospective members. Independently evaluates borrower financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, collateral, and repayment capacity to assess creditworthiness and make sound underwriting decisions within established approval authority. Coordinates the collection, review, and submission of all required documentation to third-party vendors and service providers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Credit Union policies and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as a primary driver of new loan production by actively sourcing prospects through networking, referrals, community engagement, and targeted business development initiatives. Cultivates and expands relationships with existing business members by identifying additional lending, deposit, and treasury management opportunities. Represents the Credit Union at networking events, civic organizations, and business functions to enhance visibility, strengthen brand awareness, and support member acquisition.
• Approves loans within established lending authority or refers requests for higher approval with a well-supported recommendation. Reviews and verifies loan agreements, covenants, and supporting documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitors the existing loan portfolio to maintain a high-quality asset base, working closely with the Credit Union's third-party servicer as needed. Assists in maintaining complete and up-to-date member files, including current financial statements, cash flow projections, and all supporting loan documentation. Manages ongoing portfolio relationships by identifying and documenting problem loans, policy exceptions, risk rating changes, and conducting required annual, watchlist, and special reviews. Collaborates with third-party service providers to ensure timely servicing, accurate reporting, and full compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Preparation of regular portfolio reporting to Chief Lending Officer, Executive Management and/or Board of Directors, with presentation to interested parties on an as-requested basis.
• Assists in collection of past due loans. Maintains credit quality to minimizes exceptions, and to prevent past dues and charge offs.
• Must comply with all company policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Knowledge & Skills

Experience

5-10 years of similar or related experience, including preparatory experience

Education/Certifications/Licenses

A two-year college degree or completion of a specialized course of study at a business or trade school.

Interpersonal Skills

Professional, well developed interpersonal skills essential for interviewing and servicing small business members while projecting a positive image as representative of the credit union. To maintain a professional, courteous, and friendly atmosphere for members and coworkers. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

Other Skills

Work requires knowledge of small business and consumer loan policy; credit granting criteria, interest rates and how they are computed, and required documentation for each type of loan. Knowledge of loan interviewing skills and techniques also required. Must have experience in analyzing business financial statements and assessing the viability of businesses; must have excellent communication and PR skills; ability to use related software required. Knowledge of financial statement interpretation as applied to business accounting and financial principles. Requires judgment to apply broader aspects of established practices to situations, which go beyond clear, concise guidelines. Intermediate mathematical skills required (calculations and concepts involving decimals, percentages, fractions, etc.)

ADA Requirements

Physical Requirements

Is able to bend, sit, and stand in order to perform primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be capable of climbing / descending stairs in an emergency situation. Must be able to operate routine office equipment including computer terminals and keyboards, telephones, copiers, facsimiles, and calculators. Must be able to routinely perform work on computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours or travel off site whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular, reliable and timely attendance.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed indoors in a climate-controlled, shared office environment with moderate noise levels. This position may require work outside of standard business hours. Professional responsibilities include participation in networking, community, and business development activities, which may occur during evenings and weekends. A flexible schedule is required to effectively meet the demands of the role. This position may be eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement.

Mental and/or Emotional Requirements

Must be able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team. Must be able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions. Must be able to complete basic mathematical calculations, spell accurately, and understand computer basics. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization and demonstrate highest levels of member service and discretion when dealing with the public. Mustbe able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines / requirements for extremeaccuracy and quality and/or fast pace. Must be able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changingpriorities. Must be capable of exercising highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters. Employee is continuously required to be alert and resourceful, remember a significant amount of details, concentrate, exercise judgment, read, write, reason, take initiative to start and complete tasks, exercise patience; frequently required to solve problems, analyze situations, and apply common sense to resolve issues.

Acknowledgment

Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not a contract and should not be construed as a guarantee of employment for any specific period of time. 

TOPSIDE FCU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.