Special Assets Officer

Special Assets Officer

The Special Assets Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management, monitoring, and resolution of assigned criticized and classified loan relationships, under the direction of the Special Assets Manager. This role focuses on minimizing credit losses, maximizing recoveries, and returning credits to performing status where feasible, while ensuring full compliance with Dieterich Bank's loan policy, regulatory guidance, and internal procedures. The position serves as a primary execution and support role within the bank's special assets function and works closely with lending staff, credit administration, legal counsel, and borrowers.

Essential Duties:

1. Problem Loan and Portfolio Management
   1. Manage an assigned portfolio of criticized and classified loans, including commercial, agricultural, and consumer credits, consistent with the bank's policy and regulatory standards.
   2. Assist in identifying emerging problem credits through delinquency trends, covenant violations, collateral deterioration, or borrower financial stress.
   3. Participate in the development, execution, and monitoring of workout strategies designed to improve collectability, reduce risk, and maximize recovery.
2. Loan Workouts, Restructurings, and Collections
   1. Assist in structuring and administering loan workouts, including extensions, renewals, modifications, forbearance agreements, restructurings, and exit strategies.
   2. Analyze borrower financial information, cash flow, collateral position, guarantor support, and repayment capacity to support workout recommendations.
   3. Prepare or assist with loan modification memoranda, workout summaries, and internal approval documentation.
   4. Monitor borrower compliance with workout terms, triggers, and performance benchmarks.
3. Legal, Bankruptcy, and Recovery Activities
   1. Coordinate with internal and external legal counsel on foreclosure, replevin, repossession, bankruptcy, judgment enforcement, and other collection actions, as directed by the Special Assets Manager.
   2. Monitor loans subject to bankruptcy proceedings, assist with proof of claim preparation, reaffirmation agreements, and compliance with court requirements.
   3. Support collateral liquidation efforts, including coordination of appraisals, evaluations, inspections, auctions, and asset sales.
4. OREO Support
   1. Assist in the management of Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) properties, including tracking valuations, expenses, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and disposition efforts.
   2. Support OREO acquisition and disposition documentation, approval tracking, and reporting in accordance with the bank's policy.
5. Reporting and Credit Administration
   1. Assist with preparation of problem loan reports, criticized loan summaries, delinquency reports, and other internal or regulatory reporting as assigned.
   2. Maintain accurate and timely credit file documentation to support examiner, auditor, and internal review requirements.
   3. Provide updates to the Special Assets Manager regarding portfolio status, risks, and recommended actions.
6. Collaboration and Support
   1. Work collaboratively with loan officers to transition credits into special assets and support resolution efforts.
   2. Participate in internal problem loan meetings and assist with examiner and loan review requests.
7. Compliance and Risk Management
   1. Ensure all collection, workout, and recovery activities comply with Dieterich Bank's loan policy, regulatory guidance, and applicable state and federal laws.
   2. Apply consistent, fair, and ethical collection practices.
   3. Maintain strict confidentiality of borrower and bank information.

Secondary Duties:

1. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Special Assets Manager or senior management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Must demonstrate Dieterich Bank's core values of Integrity, Value, Service Excellence, & Teamwork.
2. Working knowledge of commercial, agricultural, and consumer lending products.
3. Understanding of loan risk ratings, non-accrual accounting, impaired loans, and workout strategies.
4. Familiarity with foreclosure, bankruptcy, repossession, and collection laws and processes.
5. Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate financial statements, cash flow, and collateral.
6. Effective written and verbal communication skills suitable for internal management, borrowers, attorneys, and regulators.
7. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
8. Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and bank loan systems.

Work Schedule:

This position requires 40 hours each week with some evening or weekend work necessary to complete job tasks. Travel may be required for borrower meetings, collateral inspections, court proceedings, and OREO oversight.

Work Location:

This position may be based out of one of the following locations:

• Loan Production Office- South County, St Louis
• Corporate Center- Effingham, IL

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.
2. 3-7 years of experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, loan administration, collections, or special assets.
3. Prior experience with problem loan management, workouts, or collections preferred.
4. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. It is often necessary for the use of hands and arms to reach, handle, or feel. Up to 10 pounds may be lifted.

Work Environment:

This job primarily operates in an office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers. Some travel and out-of-office work will be necessary.