Commercial Credit Administrator

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

Optimism:  We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.

Initiative:  We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.

Respect:  We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.

Growth:  We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.

Ownership:  We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.

Position Purpose

Plan, organize and manage the commercial lending function to ensure the independent review of the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio is performed on a continuing basis. Ensure documentation is in compliance with bank policies and applicable regulations. Participate in the detection of deteriorating commercial loan quality.  Manage, supervise and mentor credit administration staff, fostering effective and collaborative working relationships with both internal and external customers.  Support bank wide sales and service efforts designed to retain existing relationships and enable growth of new relationships.   Ensure sustained profitable growth through support of the institution’s deposit, loan and fee income goals. Actively participate in the resolution of special credits as required.

Essential Functions

• Plan, organize and manage the commercial credit function and staff activities to ensure the independent review of the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio and compliance with bank policies and applicable regulations. 
• Supervise staff activities, fostering effective and collaborative working relationships with both internal and external customers; establish goals and assess performance; participate in hiring and discipline decisions as needed; mentor staff and ensure appropriate training and development opportunities are provided.
• Monitor the bank’s loan portfolio on a continuing basis in order to mitigate loss exposure through timely credit review and grading. 
• Participate in the identification of problem loans and provide recommendations for handling and resolution.
• Maintain the bank’s system of credit analysis, underwriting, and quality control for all loans. 
• Ensure adequate credit and collateral documentation is maintained in compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide periodic reports of outstanding credit exceptions to the Chief Credit Officer.
• Prepare loan portfolio analysis including but not limited to impairment analysis pursuant to ASC 310 (formerly FAS 114), credit concentrations reports, appraisal aging schedules, and loan maturities loan reports.
• Manage a team of underwriters in the preparation of analysis of all large loans, large aggregate lending to one borrower, complex loans, and problem loans.
• Approve, decline, counter-offer portfolio loan requests in conjunction with loan policy limits.  Actively participate in problem credit resolution.
• Ensure compliance with all policies and regulations including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or economics, or the equivalent.
• Typically requires five to seven years directly related and demonstrated successful experience in commercial credit administration.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of entire Commercial Real Estate and C & I lending processes
• Solid loan analysis, structuring and documentation knowledge across various business and collateral structures
• Strong credit and financial analysis skills are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbal, to all lines of business
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct and mentor others in the performance of their assigned responsibilities
• Ability to collaborate cross divisionally with production personnel.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a timely manner.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, and various data base programs.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of First Federal policies, procedures, and systems.
• Valid Washington Driver’s license

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 $105,453.62 - $179,271.15
• The typical hiring range for this position is $105,453.62 - $121,008.03
• The incentive plan for this position is the Corporate Incentive plan. It is paid out annually with a 20% target payout.
• 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.