Market President

Our client, Bank of Washington, has asked us to assist in the search for a Market President to join their team in St. Louis, MO.

This is a highly visible, player-coach role responsible for both developing commercial business and providing leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the lending team. The successful candidate will maintain an active presence in the market, develop and manage key client relationships, and generate new business while helping other lenders strengthen their business development, relationship management, and lending capabilities.

This individual will play an important role in shaping the bank’s long-term presence in St. Louis by building a strong team, creating accountability around business development, and ensuring the bank continues to deliver the high-touch, relationship-focused experience expected of a community bank.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and day-to-day guidance to commercial lenders within the market, helping team members strengthen their lending, relationship management, and business development skills.
• Serve as a player-coach by maintaining personal production and business development responsibilities while supporting the growth and success of the broader lending team.
• Coach lenders on prospecting, networking, relationship development, calling efforts, and strategies for generating new business.
• Help establish expectations and priorities for the lending team and create accountability around business development, portfolio growth, client service, and credit quality.
• Identify opportunities for lender development and provide ongoing coaching, training, and feedback to improve individual and team performance.
• Develop and expand a personal commercial loan portfolio through proactive business development, networking, referrals, and community involvement.
• Build and maintain relationships with business owners, professional advisors, community leaders, and other centers of influence throughout Clayton and surrounding communities.
• Identify, pursue, and close new banking relationships, including commercial loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, deposits, and other banking services.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to clients, developing a strong understanding of their businesses and providing solutions aligned with their financial needs and objectives.
• Underwrite and structure credit requests, including financial analysis, credit memorandums, pricing, terms, and loan recommendations.
• Maintain strong credit discipline across personal and team portfolios by promoting proactive portfolio management, sound underwriting, and appropriate risk management.
• Partner closely with credit, loan operations, and bank leadership to ensure efficient decision-making and a seamless client experience.
• Help identify opportunities within the market and contribute to strategies for expanding the Bank of Washington’s commercial banking presence.
• Serve as a visible representative of Bank of Washington through active participation in business organizations, community events, networking opportunities, and local initiatives.
• Build a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on relationship banking, professional development, growth, and exceptional client service.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Significant experience in commercial lending, commercial banking, or a related financial services role.
• Demonstrated success developing new commercial relationships and growing a loan portfolio.
• Prior leadership, mentoring, coaching, or team development experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of commercial credit analysis, underwriting, loan structuring, pricing, and risk management.
• Ability to lead through influence and effectively coach lenders at varying levels of experience.
• Strong business development skills with the ability to establish relationships with business owners, professional advisors, and community leaders.
• Established community presence or the ability to quickly develop a strong network within the Clayton market.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to balance personal production goals with responsibility for developing and supporting the performance of the lending team.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and help develop a market for long-term growth.
• Strong integrity, sound judgment, and a relationship-focused approach to leadership and client service.