Senior Vice President, Credit Officer

This position is based in Northbrook, IL, and requires the ability to be in the office.

Overview

SmartBiz Bank offers a broad range of business banking solutions to small businesses across the U.S. – solutions built specifically to serve the dynamic needs of entrepreneurs and foster the growth of the small business community. SmartBiz Bank’s commitment to transparency and personalized customer service offers an unparalleled banking experience, ensuring small businesses have the financial services they need to grow and thrive. Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, with an additional office in Austin, Texas, we are proud to serve both our local and national small business communities.

Position Overview

The Senior Vice President, Credit Officer is responsible for providing senior-level credit leadership and oversight for the Bank's commercial lending portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Lending Officer, this position partners closely with lending, credit administration, and executive management to ensure sound underwriting practices, effective portfolio management, and compliance with regulatory requirements and Bank credit policies.

The SVP, Credit Officer serves as a key resource to the lending team by providing independent credit analysis, approving loans within delegated authority, identifying emerging portfolio risks, and promoting a strong credit culture that supports prudent growth.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee credit underwriting and administration for the Bank's commercial loan portfolio, including commercial real estate (CRE), commercial and industrial (C&I), and SBA 7(a) lending.
• Evaluate and approve credit requests within delegated lending authority and provide recommendations on larger or more complex relationships requiring higher-level approval.
• Partner with relationship managers to structure credit facilities that balance customer needs with prudent risk management.
• Monitor the loan portfolio for emerging credit trends, concentrations, policy exceptions, and potential problem credits.
• Assist in maintaining and recommending updates to the Bank's Credit Policy, underwriting guidelines, and credit procedures.
• Support the administration of the Bank's National SBA small loan credit box and underwriting standards to maintain acceptable credit quality and loss performance.
• Prepare and present weekly, monthly, and quarterly credit reports for executive management and Credit Committee.
• Participate in Management Credit Committee meetings and provide sound credit recommendations.
• Serve as a primary contact for internal loan review, external auditors, and regulatory examinations.
• Collaborate with legal counsel, and lending officers regarding criticized assets, loan workouts, and legal matters.
• Review annual credit reviews and renewals.
• Mentor and develop Credit Analysts and other credit personnel.
• Identify opportunities to improve credit processes through technology and workflow enhancements.

Skills / Requirements

• Strong commercial credit underwriting and portfolio management experience.
• Knowledge of OCC regulations and credit risk management.
• Experience with SBA lending preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Abrigo, Fiserv, Google Workspace, and commercial banking systems.
• Willingness to attend customer meetings and work additional hours when necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead approximately four direct reports, including Credit Analysts.
• Support employee development, performance management, and succession planning.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive commercial banking and credit experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior credit leadership role.
• Previous individual credit approval authority of at least $500,000
• Experience with an OCC-regulated financial institution strongly preferred.

Opportunities & Benefits at SmartBiz Bank

Join a mission-driven team that’s reimagining small business banking. At SmartBiz Bank, we’re building the future of financial access — empowering entrepreneurs to thrive while creating meaningful careers for our people.

What We Offer

• Mission-driven culture focused on small business banking.
• Competitive compensation, incentive opportunities, and equity participation where applicable.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for eligible employees and dependents.
• Flexible vacation policy.
• Inclusive workplace committed to equal employment opportunity.

SmartBiz Bank is an Equal Opportunity employer and is proud to provide equal employment opportunity to all job seekers without regard to any status protected by applicable law. California residents can learn more about how we use your information by visiting