AVP/VP, Lending

About Farm Credit Illinois (FCI)

FCI is a farmer-owned lending cooperative headquartered in Mahomet, Illinois, with >$8 billion of owned, managed, and collaborated loan assets and investments. With a core purpose of Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI is owned by 19,000 farmer, rural landowner, and agribusiness members in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. FCI is one of many Farm Credit System Associations which collectively serve all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.


At Farm Credit Illinois, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings unique perspectives and experiences, making us stronger and more innovative to serve our members. We offer comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, and vision, as well as paid time off programs, such as vacation, sick leave, parental leave, holidays, and more. FCI invests in employees' futures by offering a 401k plan with employer match, as well as professional development and learning opportunities to help our employees grow in their career. Our core values-family, integrity, relationships, expertise, and passion, are the foundation of our culture, and we strive to exemplify these values in every aspect of our association.

Why Join Us

Competitive compensation package. Grade and salarycommensurate with experience, with an annualized base salary range of68,000.00 - 122,000.00 plus a bonus based on team and individual performance.This range is a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possiblecompensation at the time of this posting.


Comprehensive benefit package includes 401(k) with 3% employer contribution and 6% employer match, vacation days, sick days, 13 paid holidays, parental leave, and volunteer leave, along with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as further described at


Professional development and career growth opportunities.


Opportunity to work for a reputable and community-focused financial institution dedicated to a positive, collaborative work environment that encompasses the association's mission to serve our members and the agricultural industry as we strive to help farm families succeed.

Description/Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President and Vice President of Lending maintains, grows, and services a portfolio while representing Farm Credit Illinois in the community and creating relationships with the people of rural America.

Responsibilities/Duties

Sales and Portfolio Management
Market Presence

• Develops and maintains a professional presence in the ag community through active involvement in professional groups and community activities
• Identifies key contacts and resources to build relationships with
• Identifies key prospects and solicits referrals from team members, existing members, and other professional contacts
• Identifies and demonstrates awareness of key agricultural and economic topics and proactively educates producers while providing sound risk management solutions
• Develops a network of key contacts and resources throughout the local and regional agricultural and business communities
• Researches and reviews data resources to identify opportunities and qualified prospects
• Participates in member appreciation events, auctions, producer educational programs, and other public activities to build new and enhance existing relationships

Growth and Prospecting

• Generates loan growth by seeking new business opportunities and manages an existing portfolio by identifying current member's needs.
• Generates cross selling opportunities by promoting crop insurance and the Association's Collaborative Endeavors
• Utilizes member relationship management software to organize and document member and prospect opportunities
• Maintains an evolving prospect list and sales plan
• Actively participates in branch and sales meetings

Business Expertise

• Combines ag and business knowledge to understand each member's and prospect's current financial position
• Identifies, articulates, and coaches to credit and management strengths and weaknesses
• Provides innovative and workable alternatives to counsel and solve problems the member faces in their ongoing farm operations
• Communicates credit decision and advises on the 5 C's of Credit
• Maintains expertise on all loan products and services available in the marketplace

Operational Management
Loan Origination

• Originates loan applications by assessing member and prospect needs
• Determines how to meet the needs of the applicant and discusses loan structure, interest rates, collateral, amortization, payment schedule, etc. resulting in an optimal outcome for the applicant and Farm Credit Illinois.
• Identifies additional business opportunities
• Collaborates with teammates to ensure complete information has been obtained prior to hand off for formal processing

Credit Preparation and Collaboration

• Collects and assesses qualitative and quantitative business and financial information and follows up for clarification and verification if needed
• Prepares credit package for Credit Services Division by determining what business and financial information is needed
• Analyzes the business and financial information, writes a supportive narrative, and pulls data together to prepare an application for submission
• Collaborates with Credit Services Division on loan structure and terms to ensure a decision is made that is best for the member and association
• Participates on loan committee to clarify and present information as needed

Loan Closing

• Closes loans by ensuring all loan and legal requirements are met and accurate
• Applies and upholds sound credit administration principles
• Ensures member expectations are met and creates a positive member experience

Loan Servicing

• Anticipates loan actions and servicing
• Identifies risks within the portfolio and determines if corrective action is needed
• Creates and monitors effective servicing plans
• Monitors market conditions and proactively manages portfolio for the mutual benefit of our members and the association

Other Responsibilities
Continuous Education

• Attends educational events to build upon expertise in various aspects of agriculture, finance, and economics
• Enhances knowledge pertinent to the geographical region or territory
• Maintains a general understanding of crop insurance products and programs
• Develops and maintains an understanding of state and federal agricultural programs

Data Security and Confidentiality

• Appropriately protects the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the Association's systems and data and clients' data

Training

• Attends all necessary training to learn, grow, maintain all necessary expertise for the role
• Participates in training of co-workers through information sharing, small group discussions, idea exchanges, job shadowing and mentoring
• Participates in events or meetings which may involve public speaking

Committee Involvement

• Participates in various committees to provide insight for and develop processes and procedures
• Provides ideas and shares feedback

Required Skills

• General knowledge of ag macro and micro-economics
• Skill in having perception of different dimensions of business issues and making sense out of complex issues while being decisive and flexible to change
• Skill in negotiating complex agreements to achieve the best outcome for the organization
• Skill in listening and conveying awareness of a member's problem or issue to find resolution
• Skill in utilizing technology to increase efficiency
• Skill in interacting and working effectively with others
• Skill in utilizing a systematic approach to problem solving
• Skill in differentiating significant and insignificant details
• Skill in applying processes and procedures to factual data to make a logical decision
• Skill in engaging, collaborating, and building trust amongst team members
• Oral and written communication skills sufficient to discuss a variety of job-related topics, and to effectively communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, agriculture, or related field and

• AVP - no experience
• VP - 3 years of experience in sales or an ag related field

Or equivalent education, experience, and skillset sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job


Must be willing and able to travel throughout the assigned territory.


We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.


If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at View email address on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.


For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please click here.