Senior Commercial Loan Officer

ABOUT CITY FIRST ENTERPRISES

City First Enterprises (CFE) is a financial institution working at the intersection of financial innovation and impact investment in the quest for a more equitable economy. CFE’s capital allocation vehicle is a loan fund designed to provide accessible debt capital to entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers working in affordable housing, small businesses, education, nonprofits, community facilities, green energy, and commercial real estate in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. As a recent sub-awardee of the Green Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), CFE is positioned to make an even stronger move into the green bank space in the upcoming years. Homes by CFE, an initiative of CFE, is a down payment assistance program that provides eligible Black and Latino families with funds for homeownership.

CFE and Homes by CFE are Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), a designation given by the United States Treasury to organizations expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for residents and businesses.

To learn more, please visit us at www.cfenterprises.org and www.homesbycfe.org.

THE POSITION

The Senior Commercial Loan Officer will directly report to the Team Lead (TL) and Chief Lending Officer (CLO), supporting the Chief Credit Officer (CCO) in management of CFE’s loan portfolio and assist in the activities of the team to achieve Commercial Lending production objectives. The ideal person for the position knows how to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment and has robust financial analysis and writing skills. In addition, they seek to play a leadership role in a fast-growing nonprofit community loan fund that is committed to mission-oriented lending across the region.

In close collaboration with the CLO and lending team, the Senior Commercial Loan Officer is responsible for leading critical aspects of the lending origination cycle, from initial client interactions, reviewing financial data, assessing credit risk, to structuring transactions. In collaboration with the organization’s CCO, they will perform financial analysis and provide credit recommendations based on reviewing all underwriting criteria. Attention to detail and ability to research and resolve issues as they arise is critical to the position. As part of a compact lending team, the role’s responsibilities will expand beyond core credit analysis, playing an essential role in business development efforts and clients relationship management. Versatility and flexibility across a broad spectrum of intellectual and business tasks are essential.

Additional responsibilities include providing competent, thorough, courteous, and efficient customer service to internal and external customers with minimal direction, guidance, and oversight.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes to production goals by identifying lending opportunities and overseeing loan originations from beginning to end.
• Independently reviews preliminary due diligence materials to assess loan viability and make recommendations to TL and CLO regarding loan structure.
• In collaboration with TL and CCO, conducts credit analyses for individual transactions and prepares underwriting memos for Loan Committee consideration that incorporate analysis of guarantors, market information, historical and pro forma financial information, debt service capacity and collateral to assess the overall risk of a transaction.
• Develops new – and expand existing – commercial loan relationships through targeted calling and community relations work, consistent with the CFE’s risk parameters.
• Develops and delivers status reports to the CLO and management staff on a regular basis.
• Provides support to the CLO on business development activities including participating in client and/or prospect calls.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with industry influencers and key community and strategic partners. Where appropriate, directly joins local business and community organizations as a representative of CFE or recommends other CFE employees for involvement or membership. Participates in the community outreach process, and actively participates in key community organizations, meetings, and events.
• Collaborates with the Senior Loan Administrator and borrowers throughout the closing process.
• Works in partnership with other senior team members

Day-to-day functions may include:

• Engaging with existing borrowers or potential clients
• Creating and analyzing financial statement spreads
• Identifying information needed to complete underwriting and assess a loan’s risk
• Conducting sectoral and business model research relevant to loan applications under review
• Performing interim and annual reviews of customer relationships and ensuring the timely renewal or resolution of expiring/expired loans, covenant compliance, and documentary requirements
• Managing relationships with co-lenders, government, and community partners
• Attending business and community events to promote CFE’s products and cultivate new potential customer relationships
• Performing other duties as may be deemed necessary and appropriate

LOAN AND CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

Accountable for a loan portfolio consistent with the CFE’s credit policies, underwriting guidelines, and procedures, and its mission. Prepares loan write-ups to ensure consistent presentation of information, monitors risk ratings and assures they are kept current and accurate, assists in the review of problem loans, and assists the collection/workout process when needed to ensure the best possible outcome and recovery for CFE.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, economics, finance, or equivalent combination of training and experience from a four (4) year college or university.
• 5+ years of experience underwriting commercial real estate transactions, conducting business analyses, leading transaction execution, structuring deals and client relationship management.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to carry out instructions, instruct others, interpret documents, understand procedures, write reports and correspondence, and speak clearly to clients, customers, and employees.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in various facets in affordable housing financing and development.
• Experience in construction management/monitoring preferred.
• Able to work with a diverse client base.
• Proven ability to build relationships with potential clients and business partners.
• Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in nonstandardized situations.
• Ability to work without supervision while performing duties.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Critical and creative thinking.
• Interest in community development, racial equity, and inclusion.
• Strong ability to interact proactively with all levels of the organization.

In short, we are looking for an individual who would help us improve how we work day-to-day and maximize the growth and impact of our organization in the long term.