Business Development Officer

Provides service to existing and prospective small business and commercial customers seeking lending solutions for their businesses. Develops relationships with small businesses/commercial prospects and identifies opportunities to convert them to customers. Processes and approves or rejects commercial loans based on established lending requirements.

Specific Job Functions:

• Actively participates in business development calling program by meeting with clients and potential clients outside of the office in accordance with individual performance goals.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act, Customer Identification Program, USA Patriot Act, OFAC, Fair Lending Act.
• Follow established lending policies, procedures, objectives, and quality standards to ensure consistent compliance with First Sentinel Bank, state, and federal regulations.
• Sales and Service responsibilities:
• Interview loan applicants and collect and analyze financial and related data to determine creditworthiness of applicant and merits of loan request; orders credit reports.
• Correspond with customers, applicants or creditors to resolve questions regarding application information.
• Establish and negotiate the terms of extension of credit, including costs, repayment method and schedule and collateral requirements to ensure policy compliance.
• Approve loans up to authorized limit (operates with limited credit authority).
• Develop and maintains interest rate structure that is consistent with financial institution policies and is competitive with current market.
• Review developing laws and regulations as they apply to installment loan security agreements.
• Monitor loan repayment activities and hand off to collections department as necessary.
• Business development responsibilities:
• Actively meet with customers and prospects regularly to establish or strengthen client relationships.
• Develop business relationships and effectively communicate to pursue leads, close business, and cross-sell business services.
• Consistently meet established calling and referral targets.
• Represent First Sentinel Bank in public relations activities and community affairs. Actively participate in community events and organizations.
  

• Thorough knowledge of all First Sentinel Bank small business and commercial loan products.
• Knowledgeable and proficient in customer service and consumer/commercial lending roles.
• Willingness to take on new responsibilities and roles as needed.
• Ability to analyze, underwrite and approve or decline loan requests.
• Sales/Service skills - Knowledge of bank products and services, sufficient to identify and fill customer and prospect needs, conduct sales/service dialogue with customers and prospects, and/or refer quality business.
• Knowledgeable of the local community-industries, economic base, culture, key leaders, competitors, etc.
• Sales/Service Leadership capabilities - Sales management and coaching skills - Good role model with motivational and/or training skills and abilities.
• Ability to understand, implement and maintain Bank policies and procedures to ensure operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to speak with confidence one-on-one and in small group meetings or presentations.
• Ability to work with limited or no direct supervision.
• Ability to think and act independently within guidelines and limitations of Bank policy and assigned personal authority.
• Present a professional, business-like manner and appearance.
• Team oriented yet entrepreneurial style - sees the branch as a stand-alone franchise, while recognizing the need to work within corporate standards and guidelines.
• Ability to quickly gain credibility as a leader – i.e. to “sell” himself/herself to internal peers and employees in order to get the cooperation necessary to achieve Bank goals/objectives.
• Focus/desire to provide excellent customer service.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in finance, business administration, or other related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in a financial institution or loan setting.
• Ability to recognize and focus on critical sales and service issues. Ability to balance and respond to competing role and organizational needs.
• Superior communication and negotiation skills. Ability to communicate effectively across a broad base of internal/external customers.
• Capable user level knowledge of First Sentinel Bank computer systems and technology, including word-processing, spreadsheets, Internet and internal software.
• Must be willing to travel daily to meet with clients and potential customers.
• Must be able to occasionally travel for training or other business-related matters.