Credit Officer Specialized

Where you will work: This position offers a hybrid work option up to 50% remote and is based out of the Bloomington, IL; Morton, IL; or Macomb, IL office locations.

The contributions you will make:  This position analyzes new credit requests, makes loan servicing decisions for existing clients and performs other essential credit duties. Completes the financial analysis and underwriting on a variety of livestock and crop producers throughout Compeer’s territory and the United States. Credit decisions are made based on targeted credit quality levels and volume/growth levels set by executive leadership. The incumbent approves or denies requests within their delegated authority with a majority of the time being spent on completing analysis for large, complex loans, and communicating with internal and external team members. Has some direct contact with clients. Works with Lending Specialists to discuss loan packages and provide financial counseling to the client.

A typical day: 

Credit Analysis

• Analyzes financial and supporting documentation submitted for formal and informal lending and servicing requests.
• Enters balance sheets and earnings statements into spreading software. Generates post close balance sheets and projections for analysis.
• Qualifies, validates and reconciles financial information utilized in the credit decision making process. Analyzes and understands current capacity, capital and cash flow situation of client.
• Identifies, communicates, and assists in the collection of financial information required to process lending and servicing requests.
• Approves, declines, or escalates credit decision to higher authority levels as required.
• Determines appropriate level of analysis and due diligence required based on credit risk.
• Determines appropriate account classification and probability of default rating.
• Effectively communicates credit decision, terms, conditions, and findings through a formal narrative write-up.
• Answers questions and provides direction on credit related issues that arise during the processing, closing, and servicing of lending transactions.
• Facilitates negotiation of credit agreements between Compeer, borrower, participants and outside counsel.
• Prepares and packages syndications and participations for sale.
• Creates innovative credit packages to meet client needs.

Loan Servicing and Credit Administration

• Proactively monitors lending portfolio and loan performance for the organization and provides direction for loan classification. Completes annual reviews in a timely manner.
• Monitors interim financial reports, borrowing base certificates, compliance certificates, and other reports to monitor loan compliance.
• Works directly with sales team or with clients to develop a plan to cure loan delinquencies or other servicing requests.
• Determines how to structure stressed credits to meet internal lending requirements, client expectations, and Compeer growth objectives.
• Coordinates with sales and RAU teams to develop servicing plans and other monitoring requirements for higher risk client relationships.
• Monitors database exception reports to ensure financial, collateral, and loan classifications are accurate.
• Works closely with sales and operations teams to understand quantitative and qualitative information to balance credit risk with portfolio growth.
• Works collaboratively with Lending Specialist and other team members to implement Team Relationship Model approach with clients.
• Meets with clients to provide quantitative assessments of financial performance in relation to Compeer credit standards and industry norms.
• Assists clients in gaining a better understanding of their financial position.

Industry Knowledge

• Is responsible for keeping knowledge up to date with industry trends and procedures.
• Builds and maintains knowledge and skills as an industry resource by continuing to attend meetings, seminars, conferences and tradeshows for industries financed by the bank.
• Participates in industry updates and webinars to stay up-to-date on market changes and other industry news.
• Visits larger site operations to complete management assessments to better understand their set-up.

Internal Projects

• Works on special projects including new loan programs and internal process evaluation.
• Participates in ongoing special projects to improve service to the client as well as credit administration.

The skills and experience we prefer you have: 

• Bachelor’s degree in ag business, finance, economics or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in credit analysis in a financial institution, preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state (Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) laws, regulations and compliance requirements specific to the financial industry and Farm Credit.
• Basic to solid knowledge of agricultural businesses and operations, crop insurance and livestock industries and associated production practices.
• Basic to solid knowledge of loan products, services, and credit operations.
• Basic to solid understanding of credit processing and servicing activities, accounting principles and practices, credit analysis procedures, credit administration, monitoring and reporting.
• Requires solid interpersonal, collaboration, communication, team building, problem solving, analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Basic to solid computer skills, including MS Office applications, customer relationship management (CRM) programs, internal underwriting and database systems.
• Basic to solid decision making, negotiating, and influencing skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing situations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other teams to achieve goals and represent the business.
• Valid driver’s license.

How we will take care of you:

Our job titles may span more than one career level (associate, senior, principal, etc.). The actual title and base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is eligible for variable compensation and other benefits.

Base Pay 60700 - 91500 USD