Business Banker

Job Summary

This is a relationship-driven, production-focused position responsible for acquiring new clients, expanding existing relationships, generating commercial loans and deposits, and delivering comprehensive banking solutions to business owners and decision-makers.

A strong background in Commercial & Industrial (C&I) lending is essential for this role. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing and managing C&I relationships, analyzing business financials and cash flow, structuring working capital and term financing, and providing banking solutions to operating businesses. Candidates whose experience is primarily limited to commercial real estate lending will not be considered a strong fit.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of business banking and commercial lending, with the ability to identify client needs and provide solutions across C&I lending, deposits, treasury management, cash management, and other financial products.

This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to business clients while partnering closely with Credit, Underwriting, Treasury Management, Operations, and other internal teams to deliver a high level of service and efficiently execute new business.

The successful candidate should be comfortable developing business independently, building a local network of Centers of Influence, analyzing business financials, structuring C&I credit opportunities, and managing a portfolio of business relationships.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop, acquire, and grow relationships with small and middle-market businesses within the local market, with a strong focus on C&I and operating business relationships .
• Proactively prospect for new business through referrals, networking, community involvement, Centers of Influence, existing relationships, and direct business development.
• Serve as the primary relationship contact for assigned business clients and develop long-term, trusted relationships with business owners, executives, and key decision-makers.
• Identify opportunities to increase the bank's share of wallet across C&I loans, deposits, treasury management, and other banking products.
• Generate new C&I loan opportunities , including working capital lines of credit, revolving credit facilities, term loans, equipment financing, business acquisition financing, owner-occupied commercial real estate, and other business lending solutions.
• Develop and maintain core business deposit relationships, including checking, savings, money market, and other operating accounts.
• Partner with Treasury Management teams to identify and implement cash management, payment, merchant, ACH, wire, and other business banking solutions.
• Analyze business financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, debt service capacity, collateral, credit history, and overall financial condition.
• Structure and recommend appropriate C&I credit solutions based on the client's financial needs, cash flow, business performance, and the bank's credit standards.
• Prepare or coordinate credit packages, loan applications, financial analysis, and credit recommendations.
• Work closely with Credit and Underwriting teams to move transactions through the approval and closing process.
• Present or participate in the presentation of transactions to Credit or Loan Committee as required.
• Manage and monitor an assigned portfolio of business relationships and maintain overall credit quality.
• Conduct periodic and annual reviews of commercial relationships and identify changes in financial performance, credit risk, or client needs.
• Monitor loan covenants, financial reporting requirements, collateral, and other portfolio requirements.
• Maintain accurate relationship, pipeline, call report, and credit documentation.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective business clients and actively manage opportunities through closing.
• Meet established loan production, deposit growth, fee income, and relationship-development goals.
• Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships through additional lending, operating deposits, treasury management, and other products.
• Work collaboratively with internal banking partners to provide clients with comprehensive financial solutions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of business banking products, C&I credit , lending policies, and applicable banking regulations.
• Build relationships with local CPAs, attorneys, commercial real estate professionals, business consultants, brokers, and other Centers of Influence.
• Represent the bank at local business organizations, chambers of commerce, industry associations, and community events.
• Ensure all activities comply with bank policies, BSA/AML requirements, regulatory standards, and applicable laws.
• Provide exceptional service and act as an escalation point for significant client needs or issues.

Job Qualifications

• 5+ years of business banking, commercial banking, C&I lending, or relationship management experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on C&I lending experience is required.
• Strong experience financing operating businesses, including working capital, revolving lines of credit, term loans, equipment financing, and other C&I credit facilities.
• Proven experience developing and managing relationships with business owners and commercial clients.
• Demonstrated ability to generate new business , rather than primarily servicing an inherited portfolio.
• Experience with both commercial lending and business deposits .
• Strong understanding of business banking products, including C&I loans, lines of credit, operating accounts, and treasury management.
• Hands-on experience analyzing business financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, and credit information.
• Ability to identify client needs and structure appropriate C&I lending and banking solutions.
• Experience working with Credit and Underwriting teams to structure and close commercial transactions.
• Strong understanding of C&I credit principles, cash-flow lending, and commercial risk management .
• Experience managing a commercial or business banking portfolio.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding loan and deposit production goals.
• Strong business development, prospecting, networking, and relationship-building skills.
• Established local market relationships and Centers of Influence strongly preferred.
• Community bank, regional bank, or relationship-focused banking experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of Treasury Management and the ability to identify opportunities for additional fee income and operating deposits.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple relationships, opportunities, and priorities independently.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of banking regulations, BSA/AML requirements, and internal lending policies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard banking systems.
• Candidates with experience primarily focused on CRE lending, without meaningful C&I/business lending experience, will not be considered a strong fit.