First Merchants Bank is seeking an SBL Business Development Officer to join our team! This position will be responsible for originating and managing a quality, profitable portfolio of SBA loans. Manages all aspects of loan origination; including marketing and networking, document collection, financial analysis, and customer service in support of helping SBL achieve its growth goals.
As part of this role, you will:
- Identify and cultivate relationships with external referral sources to maintain a consistent pipeline of high-quality new SBA loan transactions.
- Tell the SBL story while highlighting competitive advantages in the marketplace.
- Actively manage pipeline, following up on new leads in a timely manner and providing detailed feedback to prospective borrowers. Update pipeline tracker weekly to provide management with activity data.
- Understand and have working knowledge of FMB-SBL credit guidance. Source new loans that match SBL’s credit parameters and enhance SBL’s loan portfolio.
- Assemble standard loan packages; prepare income-statement-only spread and brief credit memo for each loan to ensure alignment with credit policy and eligibility requirements prior to submission to Underwriting.
- Work with prospective borrowers to collect required documents; organize and save documents per team protocols ensuring proper security measures of any sensitive or personally identifiable information.
- Work with borrowers to address any character issues by obtaining written explanations and any additional documentation required by the SOP.
- Participate in initial “kick-off” call with borrower and Underwriter for each loan.
- Assist Underwriters and Closers, as necessary, to gather required documentation and ensure borrower cooperation.
- Maintain positive, productive relationships with clients, external referral sources, SBL team members, and other internal stakeholders.
- Responsible for being compliant with all regulations and compliance requirements pertaining to job function.
- Carry out such other duties as may be assigned or requested.
To be successful in this position, we require the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or relevant field, or equivalent related experience.
- Five or more (5+) years successfully originating SBA loans required.
- Excellent sales acumen / ability to market and network.
- Understanding of SBA SOP and loan eligibility requirements.
- Ability to spread loans, appropriate credit underwriting knowledge.
- Strong communication skills, and client service orientation.
First Merchants offers the following:
- Base Pay PLUS Bonuses
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 401k
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Vacation/Sick Time
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Additional Benefits
A little about us:
First Merchants is guided by a genuine philosophy of being a meaningful place to work and having a prosperous impact across all walks of life throughout the communities we serve, including consumers, businesses and other organizations. Our Vision, Mission and Team statement reflect and reinforce that authentic service philosophy.
Our Vision is:
To enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities we serve.
Our Mission is:
To be the most responsive, knowledgeable, and high-performing financial organization for our clients, teammates, and shareholders.
Our Team:
"We are a collection of dynamic colleagues with diverse experiences and perspectives who share a passion for positively impacting lives. We are genuinely committed to attracting and engaging teammates of diverse backgrounds. We believe in the power of inclusion and belonging."
Apply today to begin your career with us!
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or relevant field
- Five or more (5+) years successfully originating SBA loans
- Excellent sales acumen / ability to market and network
- Understanding of SBA SOP and loan eligibility requirements
- Ability to spread loans and appropriate credit underwriting knowledge
- Strong communication skills and client service orientation
First Merchants Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about First Merchants Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by First Merchants Corporation.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with employer match and an employee stock purchase plan that are presented as meaningful components of total rewards. These elements are highlighted as strengths relative to other benefit components.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off provisions include PTO, bank holidays, bereavement, paid parental leave, and paid volunteer time. These elements can help offset concerns about base pay in some roles.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is explicitly offered and positioned alongside PTO and holidays to support family needs. This support contributes to a more balanced work–life setup.
First Merchants Corporation Insights
What We Do
First Merchants Corporation is the largest financial services holding company in Central Indiana, headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank). First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. First Merchants offers customers broad financial services throughout locations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan providing: • Commercial Banking (business) – checking, treasury management, card services, financing, loans, electronic banking, online and mobile banking. • Personal Banking (consumer) – checking, savings, CDs, mortgages, loans, IRAs, HSAs, online and mobile banking. • Private Wealth Advisors - trusts, investments, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, profit sharing plans, pension plans, cross-tested plans, cash balance plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, IRAs, SEP IRAs, and succession planning. First Merchants is committed to customers by: • Developing strong relationships. o As financial advisors – our professionals listen and provide solutions o The tenure of our professionals averages eight years, meaning you will enjoy continuity of service o We hire local professionals from the communities we serve • Customers benefit from local decision making. o Decisions are made faster o The process is streamlined, with each customer having a single point of contact. o Our financial professionals are empowered to develop tailored solutions. • The local communities we serve benefit from First Merchants’ involvement and support.
