Commercial Credit Officer

Job Description:

Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers in building wealth. At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity. In other words, we’re committed to economic justice! Economic Justice means that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need to thrive, from high quality schools to grocery stores selling fresh foods resources that support opportunity at a neighborhood level regardless of demographics, income, or wealth. Since our founding, we’ve constantly sought to find new ways to pursue greater economic justice: from providing fair and affordable loans, to working with partners to demand that lawmakers change unjust policies. 

We are seeking a Commercial Credit Officer to join our team! 

The Commercial Credit Officer (Credit Officer or CO) provides support to Self-Help’s national Commercial Lending Team to originate commercial loans in the sectors and geographies in which the team lends. The position collaboratively advises due diligence teams, by providing expertise in underwriting, transaction structuring, and complex credit/financial analysis, to make recommendations that are consistent with Self-Help’s policy and mission. Due diligence team members include loan officers, business development officers or sector leaders, construction specialists, risk analysts, legal, and closing specialists.

What You'll Do:
• Advise and work with loan officers to analyze and structure loans that advance Self-Help’s mission and conform to our credit standards.
• Provide critical, objective review of loan officer’s credit memorandum and detailed analysis of financial information, viability of repayment sources, appropriate loan structures, industry background, management capacity, and collateral.
• Serve as the authority on and resource to teammates for ensuring proposed loans meet Self-Help’s regulation, policy, and procedures and are consistent with CL practices. 
• Approve credit applications, transactions, exceptions, and other extensions of credit within credit approval authority or prepare loan officers for presentation of credit proposals to Self-Help’s credit committee per regulation, policy, and procedure. Participate as a voter in credit committee.
• Participate in loan closings, guiding key processes forward and ensuring documentation collection and compliance with closing conditions

Review critical reports and structuring remedies in response (e.g., property condition assessments, appraisals, contracts, etc.)
• Review and approve monthly construction disbursement as applicable.
• Work with portfolio management team on risk assessment of troubled loans, including loan modifications.
• Contribute to credit coaching and training of other staff members on due diligence teams, especially loan officers.
• In coordination with the Commercial Credit Officer Manager, may assume a leadership role on assigned strategic projects, if appropriate.
• In coordination with the Commercial Credit Officer Manager, may contribute to strategy development for various sectors or geographies in conjunction with business development officers, as interested.
• Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary.

What You'll Need:
• Bachelor’s OR equivalent related experience; Graduate degree in Business, Accounting, 
Finance, City Planning, Public Policy or Law, or a related field preferred.
• 6+ years of related experience in commercial lending, finance or community development 
OR equivalent related experience.
• Strong commitment to our mission – creating economic opportunity for all.
• Preference for working in organizations that place priority on teamwork and collaboration.

Strong analytical skills including:

• Strong quantitative/credit analysis skills to provide critical assessment of credit underwriting criteria including financial ratio analysis, repayment ability, loan structuring, management assessment, and collateral risk evaluation, etc. to make sound recommendations.
• Ability to learn quickly and analyze new industries, consider industry drivers and competitive threats, and develop new contacts to provide in-depth industry knowledge.
• Ability to write and edit clear and concise credit memos, including translating financial and numerical data into narrative form.
• Ability to focus on details and key credit drivers within the larger context of the credit request. 

Strong interpersonal and project management skills including:

• Ability to work effectively in teams and to create partnerships with other Self-Help teams.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with loan applicants, borrowers, and team members, including setting appropriate expectations and showing strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize competing priorities and help loan teams set priorities.
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel
• Ability and willingness to travel and to work beyond normal work hours, as needed.

Ability to demonstrate Self-Help's Core Values: 

o        Mission Before Self 

o        Service with Excellence 

o        Embracing & Promoting Change 

o        Results Not Credit 

o        Diversity as a Strength 

o        Financial Sustainability for Mission Impact 

If you are interested in who we are and what we do; have a strong desire to work in an 
organization that places a high priority on teamwork and collaboration; and are interested in 
working to help create economic opportunity for all – THIS is the place for you!

Self-Help is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Company Disclaimer: 

Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.