Description
Are you a relationship-driven commercial lender who thrives on building meaningful partnerships and supporting local businesses? Pathfinder Bank is seeking an experienced AVP, Commercial Lender to grow and manage commercial relationships in the Syracuse market while contributing to the continued strength of our community-focused banking model.
At Pathfinder Bank, we combine over 165 years of service with local decision-making, disciplined credit practices, and a collaborative leadership team. Our lenders are empowered to structure thoughtful financing solutions, maintain strong asset quality, and directly impact the communities they serve. This is not transactional lending. It is strategic, relationship-based banking.
In this role, you’ll develop new commercial loan and deposit relationships, manage an existing portfolio, evaluate credit risk, and partner with internal stakeholders to deliver well-structured lending solutions aligned with the Bank’s credit culture and growth objectives.
What You’ll Do
• Develop and manage commercial loan and deposit relationships within the Syracuse market
• Structure, negotiate, and close commercial and commercial real estate loans
• Evaluate financial statements, assess credit risk, and prepare financing proposals
• Approve loans within authority limits or present recommendations to Loan Committee
• Maintain ongoing portfolio management, including annual reviews and risk monitoring
• Collaborate with treasury management, credit administration, and executive leadership
• Expand market presence through networking, community involvement, and calling on centers of influence
• Ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to Bank policies and procedures
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
- 2–5 years of related commercial lending experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
What You Bring
• Demonstrated success developing commercial loan and deposit relationships
• Strong credit analysis and commercial loan structuring skills
• Knowledge of commercial real estate lending and risk assessment
• Ability to interpret financial statements and assess borrower performance
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Sound judgment and the ability to balance growth with credit discipline
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel within the market area
Why Join Pathfinder Bank
You’ll join a stable, community-focused institution where decisions are made locally and relationships matter. This role offers meaningful autonomy, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to grow a quality portfolio while supporting businesses across Central New York. If you value collaboration, accountability, and long-term impact over high-volume transactional lending, Pathfinder Bank offers a platform to build a career with purpose.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university
- 2-5 years of related commercial lending experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated success developing commercial loan and deposit relationships
- Strong credit analysis and commercial loan structuring skills
- Knowledge of commercial real estate lending and risk assessment
- Ability to interpret financial statements and assess borrower performance
- Experience structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial and CRE loans
- Portfolio management experience including annual reviews and risk monitoring
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel within the market area
What We Do
Pathfinder Bank has been serving the Central New York community since 1859, providing a customer-focused approach to financial services. As a local institution, it acts as a financial provider for individuals and businesses, aiming to enhance value for shareholders, customers, employees, and the community. The bank offers various banking products and services, emphasizing local decision-making and community trust as a New York State chartered commercial bank.
