Senior Credit Officer

Senior Credit Officer

A respected Montana community bank is seeking an experienced Senior Credit Officer to partner with executive leadership in overseeing the credit quality, portfolio performance, and lending operations of a growing market. This individual will work closely with the Market President to provide strategic credit leadership, mentor commercial lenders, and ensure the bank maintains a strong, well-managed commercial loan portfolio.

The Senior Credit Officer will play a critical role in underwriting complex commercial relationships, supporting loan committee decisions, monitoring portfolio risk, and developing lending staff through coaching and credit administration. This position is ideal for a seasoned commercial credit professional who enjoys balancing sound credit judgment with relationship banking and lender development.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join one of Montana's premier community banks, known for its strong local leadership, conservative credit culture, and commitment to serving businesses, agricultural producers, commercial developers, and real estate owners throughout the state.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Market President to oversee the commercial loan portfolio, ensuring strong credit quality and overall portfolio performance.
• Analyze, structure, underwrite, and price complex commercial, commercial real estate, and agricultural lending relationships.
• Review credit requests and provide sound lending recommendations while maintaining prudent risk management standards.
• Monitor portfolio trends, risk ratings, and emerging credit concerns to proactively identify potential issues.
• Develop and implement workout strategies for criticized assets while assisting with collections and management of OREO properties.
• Serve as Co-Vice Chair of the local Loan Committee and provide guidance on complex credit decisions.
• Mentor and develop commercial lenders through coaching in credit analysis, underwriting, loan structuring, pricing, documentation, and portfolio management.
• Participate in customer meetings alongside lenders to strengthen relationship management skills and provide credit expertise.
• Assist in the development and implementation of lending strategies that support responsible portfolio growth.
• Maintain expertise in SBA, government-guaranteed, and Montana Board of Investments (MBOI) lending programs.
• Partner with commercial lenders to deepen existing customer relationships and identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business owners, community leaders, and referral sources throughout the market.
• Ensure all lending activities comply with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and sound banking practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Agricultural Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 15+ years of commercial banking experience with extensive commercial credit and underwriting expertise.
• Strong background analyzing commercial, commercial real estate, and agricultural lending relationships.
• Demonstrated experience structuring, pricing, and approving complex commercial loan transactions.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop commercial lenders and credit professionals.
• Strong knowledge of commercial loan documentation, credit policy, collateral analysis, and portfolio risk management.
• Experience identifying and managing criticized assets, loan workouts, and collection strategies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance and commercial banking best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving on a commercial loan committee or senior credit committee.
• Working knowledge of SBA, USDA, and Montana Board of Investments (MBOI) lending programs.
• Background supporting commercial lenders across multiple branches or market locations.
• Experience coaching lenders in business development and relationship management.
• Strong understanding of Montana's commercial, agricultural, and real estate lending markets.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced commercial credit leader looking to make a meaningful impact within a relationship-focused community bank. The Senior Credit Officer will play a highly visible leadership role, partnering with executive management to maintain exceptional credit quality while developing the next generation of commercial lenders. The position offers the opportunity to influence lending strategy, support local decision-making, and contribute to the continued growth of one of Montana's premier community banking organizations.

For immediate consideration, please contact Ciara Benson at ***email_hidden***.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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