C&I Credit Risk Officer - Climate Focus

Job Description

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

Responsible for internally supporting the prudent extension of credit originated by the Bank’s Commercial Banking (“CB”) and Business Banking (“BB”) business units. The sectors of focus will include the following areas of climate / renewable energy project finance: commercial solar, battery energy storage (BESS), landfill gas treatment, wind, geothermal, etc.. Coordinate with relationship managers (“RMs”) in the CB and BB business units, as well as with the C&I Senior Credit Officer (“SCO”) and legal counsels. Additionally, in coordination with the business units, manage Criticized / Classified transactions until the loans are either upgraded, transferred to Special Assets or exited. Support robust, ongoing portfolio management efforts, with a primary focus on risk rating consistency and integrity.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Promote sustainable growth of the Climate Lending portfolios without incurring unnecessary credit risks. Participate in the internal transaction “pre-screening” process for potential lending opportunities, and provide timely feedback / recommendations on structure, sources of repayment and overall viability.
2. Review and provide feedback to the loan originators (RMs) during the preparation of Credit Approval Memos (“CAMs”); interface with the Portfolio Managers (“PMs”) on an ongoing basis after the loans have been approved by the requisite authority.
3. Liaise with the SCO/CCRO to ensure all of CRM’s due diligence issues / concerns are fully addressed in the CAMs prior to final submission (i.e. Credit Committee or other decisioning authority).
4. As per authorities governed by the Bank’s Credit Policy, approve extensions of credit to new clients and modifications to existing client exposures.
5. Identify, and communicate to executive management, negative developments and trends impacting individual credits, sectors or the overall portfolio.
6. As necessary, prepare monthly periodic reviews of Criticized / Classified loans in the Bank’s portfolio.
7. In conjunction with RMs and both external and in-house legal counsel, review and provide feedback on requests for waivers / amendments / extensions.
8. Work closely with legal counsel and third-party consultants / advisors to ensure the Bank’s collateral is well protected.
9. For both new lending opportunities and portfolio management issues, advise and make recommendations to SCO/CCRO.
10. As directed by SCO/CCRO, address requests of third-party reviewers / examiners.
11. As required, complete quarterly analysis to determine specific loan loss reserves and assist SCO/CCRO with preparation of Individually Assessed Loan Control Memo.
12. Perform other ad-hoc duties relevant to CRM, as directed.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements :

1. Master’s degree or equivalent experience
2. 10+ years of relevant experience including former Credit Officer / Underwriter / Portfolio Manager positions; combination of large and small bank experience will be considered a plus
3. At least 3+ years of lending experience across multiple climate / renewable sectors, including commercial solar, BESS, landfill gas treatment, wind, etc.
4. Experience making presentations to senior management
5. Understanding the key aspects of a sound credit approval process
6. Demonstrated proficiency with Excel
7. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
8. Excellent financial analysis and problem-solving skills
9. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with deal teams (RMs and PMs); challenge assumptions; identify potential risks and soundly structure a loan; fundamentally work towards a ‘yes’ yet knows when to say ‘no’.
10. Proven verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
11. Formal bank credit training a plus
12. In depth knowledge of, and experience with, regulatory guidelines, Modifications of distressed loans, and Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) reserve methodology is considered a plus
13. Experience managing a diverse portfolio of companies
14. Prior experience handling Criticized / Classified loans, including negotiating terms and conditions of amendments and extension
15. Prior experience in performing due diligence on a variety of lending transactions

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting base salary for this role is between $180,000 – $200,000. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferrable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Amalgamated Bank is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, Minorities / Females / Individuals with Disability / Veterans. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply. View our Pay Transparency Statement. Submission of a resume or any information regarding your qualifications does not constitute a promise or offer of employment. At Amalgamated Bank, we consider an applicant to be someone who has interviewed at least once, in person, with the hiring manager. Amalgamated Bank does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Hybrid Work Model
Effective February 18, 2025, employees in office-based positions will be working a Hybrid work schedule consisting of three days or more, on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, the contact center, branch service roles, and general services where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

Search Firm Representatives- Please Read Carefully
Amalgamated Bank does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.