Director, Business Credit

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. 

As the Director of Business Credit, you will be responsible for ensuring that the Commercial lending portfolio represents an acceptable risk/return profile as established by approved credit risk management policies. Lead the mid-market adjudication team in facilitating credit decisions and providing accurate Credit Agreements on Commercial connections of $10-$50 million within a regulatory compliant framework consistent with Board policy. Provide effective leadership and stewardship to the Business Credit management function, contributing to regular monthly reviews of portfolio credit quality through established reporting measures.

Management:

• Provide leadership to direct reports in maintaining sound and consistent credit decisioning.


• Foster a culture of shared, proactive risk management with Business Banking partners. Enhance the profile of the Business Credit team, highlighting the role of risk management in supporting a differentiated brand and contributing to Meridian’s sustainable profitability.


• Achieve strong employee engagement scores, leading impactful action planning sessions.


• Maintain a coaching/training/mentoring program for direct reports and new recruits.


• Embed operational transparency principles in all activities.

Adjudication:

• Approve, amend or decline Commercial credit applications within delegated authority in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring risk is appropriate and service standards are maintained.


• Enhance throughput effectiveness in adjudication through refined processes, without compromising on credit risk fundamentals.


• Provide constructive feedback on opportunities for improvement with respect to applications and due diligence.


• Act as an escalation point for credit decision appeals, working to quickly reach resolution on differences in opinion by leveraging objective and informed insights.

Strategy:

• Guide the Business Credit portfolio toward implementation of target risk profile, identifying opportunities for portfolio diversification.


• Identify new opportunities for portfolio growth within an appropriate credit risk framework.  Provide support and insights to the assessment of new products or service offerings under consideration.


• Leverage technology and enhance reporting for continual improvements in portfolio management and monitoring borrower default risk.

Policies & Reporting:

• Create and maintain industry analysis and lending guidelines for all relevant industries.


• Continually update credit policies and forms, with regular updates to Business Banking.


• Provide prompt reporting to Senior Leadership regarding compliance with all Board credit policy and internal operating limits relative to portfolio composition, industry segments, risk profile, and various concentration measures.


• Ensure that commercial delinquency is minimized through proactive means and collection techniques including appropriate and timely recognition of actual loan impairment and appropriate loss provision.


• Continually update the risk rating model, integrating economic and industry insights to appropriately measure risk of default and loss given default.


• Achieve satisfactory audit results on external and internal audit reviews, taking action on audit recommendations for necessary enhancements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of commercial business structures and financing options / techniques including syndication and corporate finance.


• Sound knowledge and understanding of business financial statements, business case and cash flow analysis.


• Thorough knowledge of commercial account operating procedures and banking services.


• Sound understanding of commercial lending security documentation, including collection / work out techniques and remedies.


• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.


• Ability to develop and administer portfolio analysis techniques/ processes to ensure those guidelines are maintained and enhanced on an ongoing basis.


• Strong computer competency (Word/Excel/Outlook)


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  Comfort learning and adopting new digital tools, with an openness to using AI‑enabled technology to enhance productivity, accuracy, and the Member experience