Business Specialist II (Windy City)

Business Specialist I

Develops and maintains profitable small business banking relationships within the Consumer Bank by focusing on the holistic and long-term needs of business owners and their business. As a specialist and trusted advisor, responsibilities include identifying needs, recommending deposit, treasury, and loan products, negotiating deposit and loan terms, coordinating loan approvals and closings, opening and managing deposit accounts, and referring clients to key partners within the company. In addition, the Business Specialist is tasked with developing core client relationships with existing clients and finding new opportunities for First Financial in the small business segment. Business Specialists manage an existing portfolio of clients, seeks opportunities to work with employees of clients, introduces client to partners as needed, and prospects for new clients through networking and external calling efforts with internal and external partners. Provide training, coaching, and guidance to assigned districts and banking centers to promote the development and growth in the small business segment.

As part of the Consumer Bank, the Small Business Segment team is responsible for developing, defining, and executing the strategy that positions First Financial as 'The' community bank for small business owners, their families, and employees. Responsible for attracting, retaining, and growing core client relationships by fostering a trusted business advisor relationship that leverages all that First Financial has to offer business clients.

The Small Business Segment, Business Specialist I, reports into the Retail Bank and serves in multiple capacities. This individual contributor will work in a designated banking center, district and region, and will be held accountable for the following:

• Partner with Retail Banking leadership and Business Program Manager to execute against consumer bank strategies and objectives to attract, retain and grow core small business segment relationships, fulfill client's financial needs and provide a fIRST Class Client Experience.
• Develops and implements strategies/plans to engage districts and markets, establishes behaviors and routines to achieve success in the small business segment, achieving established individual production and growth goals, district and region goals and objectives.
• Responsibility to manage, deepen and grow client relationships with a primary focus on business relationships with credit and deposit exposure assigned to the small business segment.
• Initiate and maintain client and prospect contact through timely and relevant contact strategy, including but not limited to client interaction in the banking center, telemarketing, digital and/or participating in various activities and events outside of normal working hours.
• Establishes personal sales plans/strategies for assigned districts and region to achieve success in the small business space, leveraging and following up on leads and campaigns to deepen and win new core small business relationships, anchored with a small business checking account.
• Coordinates new loan origination requests, conducts loan closings, opens new Small Business Banking deposit account relationships, and takes on a holistic approach when discussing client needs by referring other Bank products and services as necessary throughout the bank.
• Supports Business Program Manager and Retail Leadership by consulting with other Small Business Bankers and Banking Center teams on challenging/complex situations with small business clients and working to identify new introductions and opportunities.
• Serves as a liaison and knowledge resource for financial center teams and associates with respect to small business products, services, promotions, program enhancement, etc. that impacts how we succeed in the small business segment.
• Assists program manager with providing leadership, feedback and guidance within the small business segment that leads to improving the program and long-term success in the small business segment within the assigned districts and region.
• Participates bank marketing and sales promotions focused on the small business segment, especially within the district and assigned region; contributes to initiatives and programs designed to promote organization's strategic priorities.
• Complies with all bank, loan and regulatory guidelines and policies, maintaining operational excellence with loans and deposits within the portfolio.
• Identify and develop the small business client segment book of business; provide in-market support and involvement in fostering client relationships and uncovering opportunities.
• Function as client's personal trusted advisor by adding value and building deep client relationships by utilizing the First Client Conversation Model.
• Participate and lead in the First Financial Bank Experience by being active in site center huddles, district and region meetings to support sales and service activities across the markets they serve.
• Consistently meet or exceed sales and referral goals as set by management, by effectively collaborating with lines of business in an effort to assist clients meet their dedicated financial needs.
• Provide coaching and feedback to the financial center teams in the referral and sales activities with a specific focus on the small business client segment.
• Hold periodic meetings with district and market leadership, as well as regional presidents and key stakeholders supporting the region and program, to align all resources around our plan and to prioritize actions.
• Create powerful strategic partnerships with internal and external partners to establish priorities and identify needs in the small business space within the communities we serve. Build relationships that will allow us to create opportunities for FFB to partner with organizations in the community to create plans, strategies, and tactics that serve the small businesses and owners.
• Leverage connections within the communities assigned to actively market campaigns, promotions, and products that are applicable to small businesses and their owners/employees.
• Accountable for performance of the district and region from a small business development perspective, and leadership of the local teams. This is accomplished through on-going coaching, development and performance management, development planning, on-going performance feedback and coaching on results
• Knowledgeable and proactive with assisting clients seeking an SBA loan with First Financial. Lead the process with clients, partnering with the SBA team and processors to properly service and work the SBA claims. Be involved with ensuring proper policies, procedures, servicing activities, and internal controls are being performed to the satisfaction of the SBA, as well as Risk Management.
• Time spent in activities will fluctuate as needed to support the achievement of the customer segment goals and objectives
• This role is also responsible for the adherence to all compliance and regulatory procedures. Including, but not limited to: BSA, Check 21, CIP, CRA, HMDA, Reg B, Reg D, Reg E, Reg CC, Truth in Savings, Privacy Compliance and the Patriot Act

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• 3-4 years client experience in Retail Banking and/or in the financial services industry with experience working with business owners.
• 3-4 years sales and service experience with previous success in achieving sales and service goals in retail environment or in a retail or business banking role within First Financial.
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience combination of education and work experience in sales preferred.
• Familiarity with consumer and small business credit
• Demonstrated success with consultative, needs-based selling
• Experience working with senior levels of organizations with strategic planning and execution.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational, managerial and project management skills.
• Well-developed customer relations skills; ability to influence without authority
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• The ability to work well independently with limited direct supervision.
• Strong product knowledge related to consumer and commercial deposits, investments, consumer loans, business loans and treasury management.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.