Commercial Relationship Manager

Who We Are

First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 17 locations including 12 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace and a Top Corporate Philanthropist. By popular vote, First Fed received awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers’ Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes.  

For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We’ve donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years – many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year!  

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds – our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team!  

Our Values

Own the Outcome: We take responsibility for our work and are accountable for finding solutions. We own our mistakes and follow through on our commitments.

Listen and Communicate with Clarity:  We listen actively and share information in a timely manner. We set clear expectations and explain the context behind our actions and decisions.

Learn, Grow and Improve: Guided by curiosity, we embrace feedback, learning, innovation, and change. We leverage our strengths and explore opportunities for continual growth.

Integrity in Action: We act with honesty and transparency and speak up about concerns. We do what is right and make ethical decisions even when it is difficult.

Engage with Respect and Empathy:  We treat everyone with dignity, kindness, patience, and professionalism. We listen to understand, value different perspectives, and assume positive intent.

Unite as One Team: We collaborate across roles, teams, and departments. We share ideas, offer support, and work together to meet shared goals.

Put Customers and Community First: We focus on understanding and addressing customer needs, building high trust relationships, and delivering a personalized and seamless experience. By serving customers well, we honor our commitment to the communities we serve.

Local Banking. Stronger Communities. Proudly Pacific Northwest.

Position Purpose

Acquire, develop, and retain commercial banking relationships, in conformance with board approved policies and procedures, to achieve established production and growth goals per the bank’s strategic and financial plan.

Essential Functions

• Produce quality commercial loan originations in support of annual production and portfolio growth goals.
• Acquire commercial and personal deposit accounts/balances, with emphasis on non-interest bearing operating accounts, in support of annual production and portfolio growth goals.
• Achieve non-interest revenue goals via standard loan fees and other fees generated by SBA and swap products.
• Be fluent in all bank products and services relevant to business and servicing needs and acquire a depth of knowledge in relative industry characteristics to maximize relationship value for customers.
• Negotiate structure and pricing terms in compliance with organizational policy and regulatory guidelines while attaining profitability and loan quality standards.
• Lead the loan origination process for all individual production, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of fully informed loan closings to exceed customer expectations.
• Establish collaboration and referral network with Treasury Management Officers, Branch Managers, and Mortgage Lenders, cross-selling and referring on a needs basis all products and services to these internal partners.
• Build external COIs with community leaders and business groups from which to build a referral network for new business relationships.
• Meet business calling and sales goals as set by Senior Management and the Chief Banking Officer.
• Participate in institution-wide sales and service efforts designed to retain existing relationships and grow new relationships while meeting loan, deposit, and fee income goals.
• Manage and retain a commercial loan portfolio through monitoring the quality and migration of credits, responding appropriately to opportunities and changes in risk in the portfolio.
• Perform all duties in compliance with policies and procedures of First Fed, and all applicable regulations of local, state, or federal regulators.
• Maintain sound knowledge of Bank policies, procedures, documentation, pricing, and compliance needs to effectively exercise assigned responsibilities.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business with focus on Marketing, Finance or Accounting or the equivalent preferred.
• Strong relationship management and sales skills with demonstrated ability to solicit, develop and retain mid-sized to larger commercial banking business relationships.
• Knowledge of commercial and real estate lending regulations, title insurance, loan documentation, credit/financial analysis techniques, disbursement procedures, and underwriting functions.
• Thorough knowledge of loan structuring and documentation across various business segments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment, to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of bank policies, procedures, and systems.
• Proficiency with PC applications including MS Office Suite and Salesforce.
• Ability to travel frequently to meet with clients and team.

Commercial Relationship Manager III:

• Typically requires a minimum of five years of experience as a commercial lender with a strong history of successful relationship and new business development across a wide range of industry segments.
• Active participation in community engagement.
• A CRM III will have a larger, consistently growing portfolio and regularly meet or exceed loan production and growth goals.
• This level operates with an increased level of autonomy and possesses high level financial acumen including intermediate to advanced knowledge of credit and regulatory standards, loan structuring, financial analysis, and loan documentation.

Physical Requirements

The work requires the ability to operate office machines and equipment, such as personal computers, printers, copying machines and telephones. The work requires the ability to communicate clearly with customers, coworkers, and others in person and on telephones. Work activities involve combinations of sitting/standing for extended periods.

Pay Range

• The pay range for this position is $115,040.31 - $195,568.53
• The typical hiring range for this position is $115,040.31 - $132,008.76

• The incentive plan for this position is the Commercial Incentive plan. It is paid out based on meeting production goals.
• Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more!  Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at https://www.ourfirstfed.com/careers 

As a community Bank, we know the power in bringing people together from all walks of life. Our communities are beautiful and strong because of their diversity, and it’s important to us that all of our locations reflect the unique diversity of the places we live and work. We are passionate about hiring the very best talent and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran

First Fed invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for our career opportunities.  If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our online job search or application tools, please email Human Resources  via [email protected] or call 360-460-2605.  Note: This contact information is reserved solely for job seekers requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the application process.  Messages left for other purposes may not receive a response.

We are required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.