SVP, Sr Credit Officer - SAG

At Customers Bank, we believe in working hard, working smart, working together to deliver memorable customer experiences and having fun. Our vision, mission, and values guide us along our path to achieve excellence. Passion, attitude, creativity, integrity, alignment, and execution are cornerstones of our behaviors. They define who we are as an organization and as individuals. Everyone is encouraged to have personal development plans. By doing so, our team members are on their way to achieve their highest potential and be successful in their personal and professional lives.

Salary range: An annual salary range of $175,000 - $210,000 is what we expect to pay for this position, based on overall skills and experience.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship, now or in the future, to be considered.

Who is Customers Bank?

Founded in 2009, Customers Bank is a super-community bank with over $22 billion in assets. We believe in dedicated personal service for the businesses, professionals, individuals, and families we work with.

We get you further, faster.

• Focused on you: We provide every customer with a single point of contact. A dedicated team member who's committed to meeting your needs today and tomorrow.
• On the leading edge: We're innovating with the latest tools and technology so we can react to market conditions quicker and help you get ahead.
• Proven reliability: We always ground our innovation in our deep experience and strong financial foundation, so we're a partner you can trust.

What You'll Do:

CRE Credit Underwriting & Approval

• Evaluate and approve complex commercial real estate credit requests, ensuring sound underwriting, appropriate loan structure, and alignment with the Bank's risk appetite.
• Collaborate with CRE relationship managers to develop financing solutions that balance business development objectives with prudent credit risk management.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of property-level cash flows, sponsor strength, market fundamentals, and collateral valuation to support well-reasoned credit decisions.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of credit reviews, risk rating assessments, and covenant compliance tracking across the CRE portfolio.

Problem Loan Identification & Workout

• Lead early identification of deteriorating CRE credits through proactive portfolio monitoring, financial trend analysis, and market surveillance.
• Develop and execute workout and restructuring strategies for problem and criticized/classified CRE loans, including loan modifications, forbearance agreements, note sales, and foreclosure/REO processes as needed.
• Negotiate directly with borrowers, guarantors, and their counsel on restructuring terms; coordinate with outside legal counsel, receivers, and appraisers on distressed assets.
• Recommend and support appropriate risk ratings, reserve levels, and impairment analysis for problem CRE credits in coordination with Finance and Risk.
• Organize and facilitate Problem Loan Meetings and produce ad hoc workout portfolio reporting for senior leadership and the Board.

Credit Policy & Process Support (CRE-Focused)

• Author, revise, and maintain CRE-specific credit policy and underwriting guidelines to reflect current risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and market conditions.
• Propose and document policy or process changes in response to regulatory findings, audit observations, or identified weaknesses within the CRE portfolio.
• Partner with the broader credit and lending teams to develop process improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency, and risk discipline in CRE underwriting and workout.
• Deliver formal and ad hoc training to CRE lending and credit support staff on policy changes, underwriting standards, and workout procedures.

Reporting & Governance

• Prepare CRE credit and workout portfolio reports and analytics for the Board Credit Committee and Board of Directors.
• Support identification and escalation of areas of CRE portfolio weakness or concentration risk.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders — including the CLO, CCO, Compliance, Internal Audit, and Internal Loan Review — on CRE credit and workout matters.

Technology & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key CRE lending subject matter expert for core lending technology platforms (e.g., nCino, eLoans), supporting system enhancements, workflow design, and user adoption.
• Partner cross-functionally with Accounting, Finance, and Risk teams on CRE-related matters including CECL, regulatory reporting, and financial modeling for classified assets.
• Collaborate with Compliance and Legal to ensure CRE credit and workout practices align with applicable regulations and internal control requirements.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a key member of the Bank's credit leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and CRE portfolio risk management.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and informal training to junior credit and workout staff; foster a culture of intellectual rigor, continuous learning, and sound risk management.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives aimed at improving CRE underwriting quality, workout outcomes, and operational efficiency.

What Do You Need?

Experience & Expertise

• 10+ years of commercial real estate credit experience, including significant exposure to problem loan identification, restructuring, and workout.
• Proven experience negotiating loan modifications, forbearances, and distressed asset resolutions with borrowers, guarantors, and legal counsel.
• Prior experience in a CRE credit officer, credit risk, or senior CRE underwriting role at a commercial bank or financial institution.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex CRE financial information, market dynamics, collateral risk, and borrower-specific factors to render well-reasoned credit and workout decisions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• MBA or graduate degree preferred; formal credit training program (e.g., RMA Credit Risk Certification, ABA Stonier, or equivalent) a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly articulate complex credit and workout concepts to senior management and the Board.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in distressed-borrower and restructuring contexts.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated leadership presence and ability to influence across lines of business and functional areas.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements governing commercial real estate lending, credit risk, classified assets, and loan portfolio management.

Technology Skills:

• Ability to work with the Microsoft Suite and learn/work with other Customers Bank applications.
• Proficiency with core lending and credit systems (e.g., nCino, eLoans); ability to act as a subject matter expert for system enhancements, workflow design, and user adoption.
• Familiarity with AI and automation tools that support productivity, workflow efficiency, and client engagement.

Customers Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We also provide “reasonable accommodations”, upon request, to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.

Diversity Statement:

At Customers Bank, we believe in working smart, working together, and having fun while delivering innovative solutions and memorable experiences for our customers. We are committed to the continual advancement of a culture which reflects the value we place on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We honor the diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities of our team members, and we recognize that it is their passion, creativity, and integrity that drives our success. Step into your future with us! Let’s take on tomorrow.