Senior Commercial Banking Executive

Senior Commercial Banking Executive

Location:

Bloomington, IL, Champaign, IL, or Danville, IL (On-Site)

Status:
Full-Time, Salary Exempt Officer

As a Senior Commercial Banking Executive at First Financial Bank, you’ll report directly to the Chief Lending Officer and play a vital leadership role in shaping the bank’s commercial lending strategy. You’ll lead high-impact lending efforts, coach a team of relationship managers, and help drive growth across the region. This is a strategic position for a seasoned banker who thrives on developing complex client relationships, building high-performing teams, and influencing enterprise-wide outcomes through collaboration and credit expertise.

• Drive business growth:
  Lead the development and execution of regional sales strategies to meet loan, deposit, and referral targets.
• Build strategic relationships:
  Manage a pipeline of prospects and existing clients, focusing on complex commercial lending needs.
• Coach high-performing teams:
  Recruit, onboard, and mentor commercial lenders across assigned markets to support team success.
• Develop credit solutions:
  Guide deal structure, terms, and credit presentation in collaboration with the credit team.
• Support credit quality:
  Participate in credit committees and ensure appropriate risk ratings across the portfolio.
• Deliver exceptional service:
  Serve as a trusted advisor for business clients, offering tailored financial solutions across banking lines.
• Manage portfolios effectively:
  Oversee commercial loan portfolios, ensuring file maintenance, relationship development, and risk management.
• Champion collaboration:
  Foster referral activity across trust, retail, and mortgage to ensure comprehensive financial support for clients.
• Advance performance goals:
  Ensure team achievement of commercial lending scorecard metrics, including production, portfolio growth, and loan quality.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Marketing, Accounting, or related field.
• 15+ years of commercial lending experience, with leadership responsibilities.
• Proven ability to coach and manage high-performing sales teams.
• Strong commercial credit knowledge and underwriting experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to grow commercial loan and deposit portfolios.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial analysis software.
• Strong judgment, organization, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned markets.
• Alignment with FFB values of soundness, growth, value, accountability, and community.
• Ability to review information and details at close range (within a few feet).

• Competitive Pay & Benefits:
  Medical, dental, vision, and employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Financial Perks: 401(k) match, Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), and banking benefits.
• Work-Life Balance:
  Paid time off, including 11 Federal Reserve bank holidays.
• Growth Opportunities:
  Tuition assistance and professional development programs.
• A Supportive Culture:
  Integrity, collaboration, innovation, and respect are at the heart of what we do.

First Financial Bank is a dynamic financial institution with over $5.5 billion in assets and a proud history dating back to 1834. With more than 75 banking centers across five states, we are committed to empowering our clients, fostering personal growth, and building community.

First Financial Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes.