Deputy Chief Credit Officer

Career Opportunities:
Deputy Chief Credit Officer

High Plains Bank is hiring! Serving Eastern and Northern Colorado, High Plains Bank is an authentic, community-driven bank. We are compassionate problem-solvers and craft bankers, committed to understanding the unique needs of each customer and tailoring solutions to optimize their financial well being. We empower each other as leaders and embrace a growth mindset, fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, has the opportunity to thrive and the ability to get things done.

We are looking for a knowledgeable and collaborative Deputy Chief Credit Officer to join our team.

You are a partner to the Chief Credit Officer, acting as a key decision-maker in the CCO's absence. You ensure consistency in underwriting and risk assessment across all loan originations. As a portfolio expert, you identify potential risks in concentration, delinquency rates or sectoral exposure, and ensure portfolio diversification to balance risk. As a leader, you support the loan team in being craft bankers and compassionate problem solvers, while diligently mitigating risk.

You are a curious, detailed, self-starter who is also team-oriented and collaborative. You possess a positive attitude and are someone who is not afraid to ask questions about HPB and the way we do things. You are compassionate and growth minded, and compliment the Relationship Managers and Market Development team to grow the loan portfolio in a healthy way.

On a daily basis, you will lead, manage, and hold the credit analyst team accountable. You'll review underwriting standards, oversee the credit review process and appraisal/evaluation process, and assist with internal audits to maintain loan quality. You will have approval authority for loans within your defined lending limits. You will work directly with Relationship Managers to clearly explain the approval, denial or conditions required for approval of credit requests.

You will also contribute to monitoring loan performance after approval, identifying potential delinquency risks and recommending early intervention if repayment issues arise.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• 5+ years experience in agricultural and commercial loans, credit, underwriting or relationship management
• Experience with special asset loans is a plus

• Thorough understanding of the full credit lifecycle, including underwriting, structuring, approval, documentation, portfolio monitoring and collections/special assets management
• Comprehensive knowledge of credit risk assessment methodologies including financial statement analysis, collateral evaluation and borrower cash flow modeling
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging effectively with customers and colleagues
• Knowledge of State and Federal guidelines and regulations regarding lending
• Knowledge of and experience with specific partnership programs such as SBA, FSA, CHFA, etc.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as Deputy Chief Credit Officer and key decision-maker in the absence of the CCO.
• Directly supervise the Credit Analyst Team providing guidance on complex credits financial modeling and managing work flow
• Be a Portfolio Expert, identifying risks, ensuring diversification and working with the CCO to make necessary adjustments to underwriting criteria and lending policies
• Be a Product Expert, utilizing organizational products and partnerships to mitigate risks and provide financing, as well as identifying new industry programs to add to partnerships
• Collaborate on reporting of trends, risk and performance, and aligning credit policies with business objectives
• Assist with oversight of portfolio management in relation to exceptions, covenant, annual reviews and follow up from audits
• Partner with the Chief Credit Officer to manage distressed or non-performing loans
• Review standards and ensure consistency in underwriting, oversee reviews and audits, approve loans within lending…