Vice President, Credit Officer

Description

Position Summary

The Vice President, Credit Officer plays a critical leadership role in supporting the Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer in managing commercial credit underwriting and lending operations. This position is responsible for evaluating complex credit relationships, maintaining strong credit quality standards, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.  The Credit Officer partners closely with commercial lenders to structure sound lending solutions that meet customer needs while protecting the bank's asset quality and long-term profitability. This role also serves as a trusted advisor and mentor to lending and credit teams, helping foster a strong credit culture across the organization.

This position offers a unique opportunity for an experienced credit professional who is interested in making a broader organizational impact and pursuing future leadership growth within the bank. We are seeking a candidate with the capability, initiative, and desire to assume increasing responsibilities and contribute to the long-term success of the organization.

Location

This role can be located at one of the office locations throughout our footprint with the ability to travel to the Muscatine, Iowa office approximately 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Approval

• Review, analyze, and vote on complex commercial lending requests involving Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Commercial & Industrial (C&I), and Agricultural (AG) credits.
• Participate in credit approval and voting processes for loans exceeding individual lender authorities.

Credit Risk Assessment

• Analyze financial statements, tax returns, cash flow projections, debt service coverage, collateral valuations, and industry trends.
• Identify potential credit risks and recommend appropriate mitigating strategies.

Deal Structuring

• Collaborate with commercial lenders to structure credit facilities that support customer objectives while maintaining acceptable risk parameters.
• Establish loan covenants, collateral requirements, and other credit protections.

Policy and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all underwriting and credit decisions adhere to bank policies, regulatory requirements, and safe and sound banking practices.
• Maintain strong knowledge of applicable banking regulations and industry standards.

Portfolio Management

• Monitor portfolio quality and identify trends related to credit migration and emerging risks.
• Review annual loan renewals and ongoing borrower performance.
• Oversee financial covenant compliance and exception tracking.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Guide commercial lenders and credit analysts on underwriting best practices, credit philosophy, and risk management.
• Support the professional development of junior credit team members.
• Foster collaboration and consistency across lending and credit functions.

Credit Committee Participation

• Prepare and present complex credit relationships for Executive Credit Committee review.
• Participate in discussions and recommendations regarding large or high-risk credit exposures.
• Provide thoughtful analysis and recommendations to senior leadership.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in commercial credit underwriting, commercial lending, loan review, or a related banking function.
• Technical Expertise: advanced knowledge of Commercial and Agricultural cash flow analysis, global cash flow analysis, commercial credit underwriting, collateral valuation methodologies, financial statement analysis
• Regulatory Knowledge: strong understanding of federal and state banking regulations, including: lending limits, Insider lending (Regulation O), BSA/AML guidance, and other applicable banking regulations and compliance requirements
• Communication & Leadership: exceptional written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex financial risks clearly to executive leadership.
• Flexibility: Ability and willingness to travel within the bank’s lending territory and to regional and national peer meetings and conferences as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a formal commercial banking credit training program.
• Experience with commercial loan origination and underwriting platforms.
• Experience using nCino or similar credit underwriting software.