Position Summary:

The Agricultural and Commercial Lending Officer provides lending services for agricultural and commercial customers and supports the broader Lending Department. The primary objective of this position is to develop and manage sound loan relationships while providing service consistent with Union State Bank service standards and superior to our competition.

The officer must understand the Loan Policy as it applies to agricultural, commercial, consumer, and real estate lending and ensure work is completed in a timely and accurate manner consistent with best practices and regulatory requirements. The officer also helps develop Asset Liability Management goals and works with the Lending Team to achieve them.

This position may serve on other teams striving to achieve a “Better State of Banking.” All responsibilities are carried out within the context of Team Guidelines, Vision, Mission, and Core Values.

This is a highly technical lending role that carries significant responsibility for managing customer relationships, loan portfolio quality, credit analysis, and regulatory compliance. Because of the complexity of the position, we are primarily seeking candidates who have a background in lending, finance, accounting, agricultural economics, business, or related experience that would support success in the role.

Work Location:

This position is primarily performed on-site at Union State Bank and requires regular in-office attendance. Limited remote work may be permitted on an occasional basis with management approval and subject to business needs. The ability to effectively perform all essential job functions in person, including customer meetings, team collaboration, committee participation, and community involvement, is a requirement of the position. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Approve loans within specified limits and refer loan applications outside those limits to management for approval. 
• Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and answer questions about the lending process. 
• Analyze applicants’ financial condition, credit, collateral or property evaluations, business operations, and repayment capacity to determine the feasibility of granting loans. 
• Explain available loan and credit options, including applicable terms and services. 
• Obtain and compile credit histories, business and personal financial statements, tax returns, collateral information, and other documentation needed to underwrite and administer loans. 
• Review and update credit and loan files, and review loan agreements to ensure they are complete, accurate, and consistent with policy. 
• Compute or verify payment schedules and other loan terms. 
• Submit applications to credit analysts for verification and recommendation, as appropriate. 
• Stay abreast of loan products, financial services, market conditions, and regulatory requirements to better meet customer needs. 
• Maintain familiarity with all bank products so appropriate referrals can be made to meet customer needs. 
• Conduct outreach and community education related to banking and lending. 
• Assist with Sales and Service projects in the Lending Department in a timely and effective manner. 
• Identify potential new products, complete supporting research and underwriting, and present recommendations to the Loan Committee, Asset Liability Committee, or Board, as appropriate.

Portfolio Management and Customer Relationship:

• Manage assigned agricultural and commercial loan relationships and portfolios with attention to safety, soundness, credit quality, policy compliance, and regulatory requirements. 
• Measure, monitor, manage, and control asset quality trends, and communicate material concerns to the Senior Lender and Loan Committee in a timely manner. 
• Retain, develop, and deepen customer relationships while identifying responsible opportunities for portfolio growth and fee income. 
• Identify and manage classified, watch-listed, weak, or otherwise at-risk loan relationships to minimize risk and loss. 
• Develop strategies and goals for new relationships and deeper existing relationships in support of a strong and sound balance sheet and income statement. 
• Provide guidance and support to team members involved in the loan process to promote adherence to Bank policies, applicable laws and regulations, and EEO guidelines. 
• Provide guidance, help establish standards for timeliness and accuracy, and recommend education for Lending technical support staff to the Senior Lender. 
• Review lending policies and recommend amendments or additions to the Executive VP of Lending when needed. 
• Help develop and participate in ongoing education and training that supports the knowledge and skills needed for the position.
  

Agricultural Lending Responsibilities:

• Monitor agricultural markets and trends and apply that knowledge when evaluating and managing agricultural credit.
• Make farm visits and develop an understanding of each borrower’s farm operations, production cycle, collateral, cash flow, and business plan.
• Maintain knowledge of secondary market resources, guarantor agencies, and other agricultural lending resources that expand appropriate product options for customers.
• Provide guidance on agricultural loan structure, documentation, administration, and portfolio management.
  

Commercial Lending Responsibilities:

• Monitor business and economic trends and apply that knowledge when evaluating and managing commercial credit.
• Make business visits and develop an understanding of each borrower’s operations, ownership, industry, collateral, cash flow, and business plan.
• Analyze business financial statements, tax returns, projections, and other relevant information to assess repayment ability and credit risk.
• Provide guidance on commercial loan structure, documentation, administration, and portfolio management.

Lending Department Responsibilities:

• Create an atmosphere within the organization that attains and maintains a high level of morale and embraces our Vision, Mission, Core Values, Team Guidelines, and Goals. 
• Participate in the Loan Committee review process as an active, prepared, and knowledgeable member. 
• Participate in the Asset Liability Committee process as an active, prepared, and knowledgeable member. 
• Serve as backup for Consumer, Agricultural, Commercial, and Mortgage lending officers when needed and within the officer’s knowledge and authority. 
• Represent the Bank in community and civic organizations to enhance the Bank’s image and develop additional business. 
• Understand and follow policies related to Lending and Asset Liability Management. 
• In line with Union State Bank Service Standards, assist with Bank committees, internal projects, and community events alongside other Bank Team Members. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Regular attendance 
• Effective telephone, written, and in-person communication
• Monitoring markets and trends as they relate to agricultural and commercial lending
• Long-term relationship building
• Making business and farm visits
• Understanding and analyzing business and farm operations
• Understanding commercial and agricultural business plans

Formal Education, Experience, and Licensure/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, agriculture, or a related field, and/or four years of equivalent work experience preferred.
• Two years of relevant lending, credit, banking, agricultural, or commercial experience preferred.
• No specific license or certification required; ongoing lending and regulatory education is expected.
  

Essential Skills:

• Knowledge of lending operations, credit analysis, loan documentation, and portfolio management
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on rapport-building, active listening, and service orientation
• Analytical, critical-thinking, mathematical, judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks effectively
• Ability to conduct research and absorb and retain information quickly
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Proficiency with technology and applicable computer software

Personal Attributes:

• Highly self-motivated and directed
• Keen attention to detail
• Exceptional customer service orientation and social perceptiveness
• Desire to continually learn new products, services, regulations, and lending practices
• Passion for providing excellent customer service

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting frequently
• Standing occasionally
• Lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally
• Carrying up to 10 pounds occasionally
• Listening frequently
• Finger dexterity for typing
• Squatting occasionally
• Kneeling occasionally
• Bending occasionally
• Walking frequently

To apply please send your resume to kristenb@usbhazen.com.