Commercial Credit Specialist

Location: St. Catharines

About This Opportunity
At Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

The role is within the Business Banking Credit team that has responsibility for credit decisions pertaining to a $9 billion Commercial loan portfolio across all sectors of the Canadian economy, including Land & Construction, Hospitality, Income Producing Real Estate and general industries.

This role is responsible for supporting the administration of the Commercial Loan portfolio within the framework of credit management policies that represent acceptable risk and return.

The successful candidate will be a self‑starter with drive and determination, helping our Members and colleagues achieve goals through effective communication and the ability to build relationships. A sound understanding of Financial Statements and experience in analyzing lending proposals is very important.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct underwriting / adjudication on commercial credit applications (new, increased, renewal, amendments) in excess of lenders discretionary limits, either within their own limits or by referral to the Senior Manager and / or Management Loan Committee

Exercise sound and consistent underwriting practices to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures

Provide consistent, timely and focused value-added service to the Commercial Banking delivery units

Assist on overall management and control of excesses and delinquency

Assist in the writing and / or review of credit policies and the Commercial Credit Procedures Manual along with preparing industry profile papers and reports

Keep abreast of changes within diverse industry sectors and proactively identify opportunities to improve the risk profile within Meridian’s Business Banking portfolio.

Apply sound credit adjudication based on knowledge and technical acumen, to reach resolution on differences in opinion, approach, policy interpretation with lenders and Credit Management staff

Address daily technical problems on security documentation questions, systems issues & loan coding issues and errors

Escalate more complex issues on unresolved matters to the Director and / or VP, Business Credit

Regular and consistent verbal and / or written communication with Credit Management staff and / or Business Banking lenders and / or Business Banking Operations department on a wide range of portfolio management and administrative issues

Liaise with external parties (project monitors, lawyers, accountants, appraisers, etc) on an “as‑needed” basis.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Multidimensional banking professional with a background in all aspects of the commercial credit and banking functions.

Working knowledge of advanced business sectors (including leveraged finance & private equity, out & in‑bound syndications, mortgage / leasing / bulk finance entities) and corporate structures (i.e. Partnerships, LLP, REITS, Trusts) would be an asset.

Prior experience in income property lending, land, development & construction and hospitality sectors would be an asset.

Familiarity with acceptable financing options and techniques (i.e. senior, mezzanine, subordinate debt, share and other equity offerings) would be an asset.

Sound understanding and ability to deeply assess business financial statements, conduct cash flow analysis and work with financial models and their sensitization.

Knowledge of commercial account operating procedures, cash management services and other banking products (i.e. credit cards, forex, funds transfers).

Sound understanding and ability to review commercial lending security and related documentation.

Exposure to collection / work out techniques and remedies would be of benefit.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong but collaborative negotiation skills to find an agreeable position with our Members’ foremost in mind.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with key business partners.

Able to prioritize and plan workload in order to meet deadlines in…