FVP - Business Banking

Welcome to PeoplesBank! We are the largest mutually chartered bank in Western Mass and Northern Connecticut and a leader in green values, sustainable energy financing, and charitable giving.

We operate in the best interest of our customers and strive to be an inclusive and engaging work environment. We offer excellent compensation, workplace flexibility, and a competitive benefits package to our associates.

Our award-winning culture has earned us recognition as Best Place to Work and Best Local Bank. Come join our team of dedicated and innovative individuals and contribute to our dynamic, successful organization.

Summary : The FVP of Business Banking will be responsible for a de-novo effort - creating, building, and leading a team to actively solicit and book small-medium sized business customers within the communities where the bank does business.

Responsible for leading a team that examines, evaluates, and recommends decision of applications for business loans. Implements and monitors an active business development program to solicit new business relationships for the bank and cross sell bank products to existing customers to attain portfolio growth consistent with the bank's overall annual goals.

Identifies and analyzes potential loan markets to develop prospects to build a future pipeline and foster continued growth.

This group will work closely with the retail division to identify prospects and execute an active calling effort to attract and book new client business.

The focus will be on building comprehensive banking relationships that include new deposit accounts, customer acquisition and onboarding, and lending products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following . Other duties may be assigned

Responsible for facilitating the growth and profitability of the team's portfolio of customers through the sale and delivery of appropriate lending, deposit, and cash management products.

Accountable for developing and executing the business plan for the team in an effort to achieve team and individual goals.

Ensures that customers in the team's portfolio receive excellent service and timely responses from team members. Participates directly in the business development and calling activities of the team.

Leads a team whose responsibilities include underwriting and originating business loans in a variety of industries in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1 million, as well as managing a portfolio of small to medium-sized business relationships in the same size range.

Oversight includes areas such as customer service, maintenance of credit and collateral files, assignment of risk ratings, and monitoring of credits for delinquency and deterioration in order to actively reduce loan losses.

Advises on loan structure, including loan pricing and fees, loan repayment options, and other credit terms and conditions.

Provides management direction to department personnel to ensure that all activities are performed in an efficient, effective, and customer service focused manner.

Responsible for hiring qualified associates for the team. Evaluates the performance of direct reports and recommends appropriate salary adjustments, training, education, and advancement opportunities.

Accurately translates market trends and opportunities into meaningful action. Leverages lending policies and practices to achieve optimum market penetration through appropriate competitive rates, terms, loan structure, and use of complimentary products and services.

Adheres to bank policies, procedures, and periodic reporting requirements while ensuring that department personnel are familiar with and adhere to the same.

Ensures team members receive and complete assigned training within directed time frames. Continually monitors team's performance, including, but not limited to business loan originations, credit analysis, portfolio administration, business development and customer service responsibilities.

Ensures team members become proficient with bank policies and procedures as well as the use of the Lenders Cooperative Loan Origination System and related technology tools.

Underwrites and approves credit requests within designated lending authority as needed. Reviews and ensures the accuracy and completeness of credit requests requiring Credit Underwriting Review or Executive approval.

Exercises good judgment and risk management practices consistent with the Bank's credit risk appetite.

Collaborates with Retail Banking Center partners to develop a strong partnership and to establish clients lists for individual or joint calling efforts;

Provides education to strengthen the business acumen of business development skills, targets segments, credit risk, and product knowledge and builds confidence when working with prospects and customers.

Assists with oversight and facilitation of Retail Referral Program in support of partnership between Business Banking and Retail Banking Centers.

Consistent with the Bank's community development objectives, volunteers and actively participates with one or more community-based organizations within the market footprint.

Develops and maintains a network of local COIs that serve as a referral source for future business.

Completes all yearly compliance training and testing and complies with bank, federal, and state regulations. Complies with Bank Policies and Procedures.

Adheres to departmental and bank-wide service standards.

Qualifications : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Education and / or Experience :

MBA in Finance or Accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience plus ten or more years of relevant and proven business development experience.

May require thorough knowledge of a technical or specialized field.

Skills needed :

• Relationship Building; Business Development Experience
• Commercial / Business Banking Credit Experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Data analysis; share strategic insights with customer
• Read and interpret financial statements; identify areas of concern and / or opportunity
• Ability to learn new products and make connections for cross selling
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Computer Skills : Knowledge of Microsoft computer applications, including Excel Skills, familiarity with Loan Processing, Underwriting, and Marketing Analytics software.

Work Environment and Physical Demand : The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to work in a fast-pace office environment.

Candidate will work primarily normal business hours, by may require flexibility in schedule to accommodate business and project's needs.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit; use hands to keyboard; and to hear or talk.

The associate is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, reach, grasp, and pull. The associate is occasionally required to lift, carry, kneel, crouch, and drive.

Associate must have ability to focus on computer screen for long periods, ability to read detailed printouts.