Title: Chief Credit Officer

Reports to: CEO

Job Summary:

The Chief Credit Officer is responsible for overseeing the overall credit risk strategy and management of the organization. This includes ensuring an appropriate balance between credit risk and business growth through sound credit practices and oversight. The CCO leads credit-related operations including underwriting, credit analysis, loan documentation, portfolio management, credit administration, and collections. The position also develops and implements credit policies and processes, oversees credit approvals, and ensures compliance with regulatory and audit requirements. The CCO works closely with the bank’s senior leadership to help set and implement short- and long-term strategies to assure the bank’s growth, soundness, and profitability.

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Credit Portfolio Management

• Oversee all aspects of credit underwriting, approval, documentation, and grading

• Monitor the bank’s loan portfolio to identify and manage credit risk within the bank’s stated risk tolerance

• Prepare and distribute credit information covering loan quality trends, growth trends, loan product concentrations; work closely with other credit managers in reviewing such topics as local real estate data and assessing the impact on the Bank’s loan portfolio.

• Supervise the Bank’s special assets area in curing weak credits, collection of such credits, or the movement of such undesirable credits; assists in the compilation of loan status reports and implementing respective loan action plans; prepare a report on the status of the Bank’s special assets to the Board of Directors for review

• Prepare and discuss loan and credit quality information for the Board of Directors for approval;

2. Strategic Credit Leadership

• Develop, implement, and oversee the bank’s credit risk strategy, in line with the bank’s Strategic Plan and overall bank objectives, including product development/review and risk tolerance

• Assist with updating all relevant portions on the bank’s Strategic Plan as it relates to credit risk

• Lead and mentor the credit team

• Foster strong relations with the loan production, loan servicing, operations, accounting, audit and compliance, and branch staff

• Assists with the bank’s CRA activities

3. Credit Approval and Underwriting

• Review and approve/decline large and complex loan; makes recommendations on loan structure, terms, and pricing

• Provide guidance and support to loan officers and lending staff

• Sits on Senior Lenders Committee and Loan Administration Committee

4. Credit Policy Development and Implementation

• Prepares, reviews, and modifies lending policies and procedures which support the bank’s business development activities but does not expose it to undue risk.

• Communicates policies and procedures and ensures adherence by lending staff

• Regularly review and update procedures to account for changes in market conditions, regulatory expectations, best practices, and changing risk tolerances.

5. Current Expected Credit Loss Model

• Prepares the quarterly CECL calculation and makes recommendations to executive management and the Board of Directors for the amount to be added/deducted to/from the Loan Loss Reserve; reserve maintenance includes analyzing local, regional, and national economic conditions; loan losses and trends; and loan product concentrations

6. Risk and Data Analysis

• Monitor, identify and report risks that could impede the reputation, safety, security, or financial success of the bank.

• Conduct credit risk assessments and analysis to improve loan decision and identify opportunities to mitigate risk

• Perform periodic stress tests utilizing credit models and analytical tools

• Monitor key credit risk performance metrics and regularly report trends or concerns to management and the Board

• Develops and maintains knowledge of financial industry, economy, market conditions, rates, vendors, and competition

7. Regulatory and Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, including but not limited to credit and loan-related regulations

• Serve as primary contact for regulators and internal and external auditors on all credit-related matters and respond to all related requests.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge and training in all lending activities and terminology.

• Strong knowledge of/experience with commercial, construction, real estate, and consumer loan processing

• Strong knowledge and training in financial statement and tax return analysis

• Strong knowledge of related state and federal lending and compliance regulations, and other Bank lending policies.

• Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple variables in unusual situations.

• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills

• Ability to work with minimal supervision while performing duties.

• Ability to represent the bank in various community, civic and community functions to further the Bank's market position.

• Ability to adhere to, and lead others in, the bank’s core values; Integrity, Enthusiasm, Accountability, Excellence, Customer First, Professionalism, and Respect

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to provide leadership, supervision, and training for designated employees using positive supervisory techniques to ensure maximum productivity; demonstrated ability in organization and delegation skills.

• Monitors staff in daily tasks, operations, and quality control; ensures the organization of assigned areas of the bank, coordinating available resources for maximum results.

• Supports team member performance by establishing annual goals, setting clear expectations, and providing continual coaching.

• Create a culture of accountability that celebrates progress as well as outcomes.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field; MBA or advance degree preferred

• At least 10 years related experience in credit risk management, lending, underwriting, financial analysis, or related financial services

• At least 5 years supervisory experience, preferably in a senior leadership role

• Formal credit training preferred; graduate of a formal banking school or willingness and ability to attend required.

Work Conditions:

• Full time position based in Ada, OK

• Officing in branch location may be considered with regular travel to Ada

• Occasional travel to branch locations as well as meetings, training, and conferences

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.