Job Title: VP/Commercial Lending Officer
Location: Baltimore, MD
Reports To: SEVP/Chief Banking Officer
Department: Lending
Type/Status Full-Time/Exempt
Position Overview:
The Commercial Lending Officer plays a pivotal role in driving our mission at The Harbor Bank of Maryland. This position is responsible for delivering exceptional service, supporting team development, and ensuring operational excellence. The Commercial Lending Officer will develop and manage commercial loan accounts that meet established lending requirements and provide maximum profitability to the Bank at minimum risk. They are responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with customers and developing referral networks in an attempt to identify new commercial loan opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:- Interviews loan applicants, collects and analyze financial and related data to determine the general creditworthiness of the prospect and the merits of the specific loan request.
- Underwrites loans, establishes, and negotiates where necessary, terms under which credit will be extended, including the costs, repayment method, and schedule and collateral requirements.
- Collects and analyzes information that reflects the current creditworthiness of customers and the current merits of existing loans. May obtain information through direct inspection of the applicant’s business and/or collateral, review of interim financial reports, personal interview, and other means.
- Monitors loan repayment activities and take necessary action to collect from past-due accounts.
- Develop new business by contacting prospects and customers, cross-sells Bank services.
- Serves as a member of the loan committee, which makes preliminary evaluations of loan requests.
- Participates in community affairs to increase the Bank’s visibility and to enhance new business opportunities. These include Chamber Events and other events.
- Undertakes special projects relating to departmental services as assigned by Senior Lender.
- Comply with all federal and state regulations and rules impacting this position, meet all risk and compliance obligations, including the completion of required training.
Skills and Abilities:
- Possess the ability to effectively network and work with various businesses, civic, social organizations and centers of influence to contribute to attaining the ongoing goals of the Bank.
- A thorough knowledge of commercial lending criteria and the business objectives of the lending department.
- Displays a thorough knowledge of HBM’s credit analysis and underwriting guidelines.
- Good interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills to represent the Bank and effectively negotiate/present commercial lending deals to borrowers, and board/committee members.
- The flexibility to work irregular hours when inspecting and evaluating prospective deals.
- Completion of a formalized credit training program.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, or portfolio management within a financial institution.
- Proven track record of structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial loans while adhering to regulatory requirements and internal credit policies.
- Experience in managing a commercial loan portfolio with a focus on asset quality and risk mitigation.
Preferred:
- 7-10 years of commercial lending experience, with a demonstrated ability to grow and manage a high-performing portfolio of commercial clients.
- Prior experience leading large and/or complex commercial transactions, including CRE (Commercial Real Estate) and C&I (Commercial & Industrial) loan types.
- Background in developing business development strategies and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and key community leaders.
All other duties as assigned
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, or portfolio management within a financial institution
- Proven experience structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial loans while adhering to regulatory requirements and internal credit policies
- Experience managing a commercial loan portfolio with a focus on asset quality and risk mitigation
- 7-10 years of commercial lending experience with the ability to grow and manage a high-performing commercial client portfolio
- Experience leading large or complex commercial transactions, including CRE and C&I loans
- Experience developing business development strategies and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and community leaders
- Completion of a formalized credit training program
- Thorough knowledge of commercial lending criteria and credit analysis and underwriting guidelines
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, presentation, networking, and negotiation skills
What We Do
The Harbor Bank of Maryland is a Baltimore-headquartered, minority-owned community bank and FDIC-designated Minority Depository Institution serving residents and businesses in Greater Baltimore. It offers personal and business financial products, including checking and savings accounts, investments, loans, and lines of credit, as well as online and mobile banking. Its mission is to invest in community growth and inclusive economic development, with a focus on supporting underserved communities and local businesses.
