Northern Initiatives

Position Title:

Commercial Lender – Tri-Cities FLSA Status:
Salary/Exempt/Full Time

Department:
Lending Services

Reports To:

Vice President-Lending

Location:

Hybrid-based in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, or Flint, Michigan with regular travel

Specific Locations:
Must be based in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw or Flint, Michigan. This is hybrid work with frequent travel throughout the service area (Tri-Cities & Flint areas), occasional travel/in-person meetings within Michigan including the lower and upper peninsulas, and in-office/in-person time required as needed for business success.

• At hire: 2 weeks in Marquette, Michigan
• In-person trainings/meetings TBD in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, or Flint
• In-person trainings/meetings TBD in Grand Rapids and/or Battle Creek
• All Staff Retreat 1 week- in-person; dates TBD- usually in Spring or Fall
• Costs for out of territory travel (rental car, hotel if needed, etc) are covered by Northern Initiatives as pre-approved by supervisor.

Northern Initiatives (NI) is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that provides access to capital, information and markets to advance and connect small businesses and their communities. Northern Initiatives supports entrepreneurs, businesses, manufacturing firms, banks, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations in a common effort to strengthen the economy of Michigan.

The Commercial Lender is responsible for developing and maintaining a portfolio of new and existing relationships in the assigned territory within Michigan. The Lender acts as the borrower’s advocate by recommending suitable credit products, guiding them through the loan underwriting and approval process, securing technical assistance, where appropriate, and providing periodic financial review and feedback. Commercial Lenders should be self-motivated, willing to travel within their assigned territory and have a passion for working with small businesses.

This position will develop and maintain relationships with potential and current referral sources, with the primary goal of developing and growing the loan portfolio. It also provides appropriate due diligence and oversight to the existing portfolio to minimize loss.

• Make new business development calls and follow up on referrals. This includes attending functions that business owners and referral partners typically attend.
• Interview and guide loan applicants through the loan application process.
• Respond to inquiries for information as requested by customers and applicants.
• Identify opportunities to provide technical assistance to borrowers.
• Refer customers to other Northern Initiatives’ staff and contract service providers as appropriate.

• Conduct due diligence on loan applicants, analyze financial data in order to determine credit worthiness and capacity to repay and meet other requirements per the Loan Policy.
• Research industry and market sectors to understand applicant’s business industry, key risks and challenges.
• Present recommendation for loan approvals to the appropriate Loan Committee.
• Ensure documentation of all loans is compliant with the committee’s loan approval policy, as well as the regulations of Northern Initiatives’ funding agencies.
• Prepare loan memos, environmental assessments, and business valuations as applicable, consistent with NI’s Loan Policy.
• Lead or support loan closings and remain alert to indicators of fraud throughout the lending process.

• Maintain regular contact with borrowers, review financial statements as required by loan…