About the Role:

The Credit Analyst I spreads financial statements, analyzes loan requests, and prepares credit approval forms for the Bank’s commercial loan requests. Financial analysis includes ratio and trend analysis as well as the creation of projections and detailed analysis of cash flows.

This is an entry level commercial lending position for an individual with a college degree in business administration or economics, and/or prior banking experience. The position will include training in accounting, finance, and regulatory compliance, in addition to bank-specific products and policies. The Credit Analyst I is expected to progress to the Credit Analyst II position within 1-2 years. Typical career paths following Credit Analyst II would be to become a Senior Credit Analyst, Relationship Manager, or Credit Analytics Manager.

Who We Are & What We Do:

If you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity, you’re in the right place. West Coast Community Bank is a top-rated community bank with a focus on serving the banking needs of businesses and individuals along the Central Coast, in Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area. We engage in impactful volunteering and support the greater economic vitality within our four-county reach. Our success is due to our amazing team of exceptional, experienced, knowledgeable and success-oriented employees.

We’ve been recognized with numerous community leadership awards and our team gives 2000+ hours of volunteer service each year.

A few honors we’ve received locally include:

• Good Times Best of Santa Cruz – Best Bank, 12 consecutive years
• Santa Cruz Sentinel Readers’ Choice – #1 Best Bank, 9 years
• Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce – Business of the Year 2018 and 2021
• Press Banner’s Best of Scotts Valley – Best Bank
• Register Pajaronian’s Best of Pajaro Valley – Best Bank
• Second Harvest Food Bank – Big Step and Platinum Awards for Holiday Food and Fund Drive
• Farm Bureau of Santa Cruz County and Agri-Culture – Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award

Outline of Position & Duties:

• Duties of the position are performed in-person at our corporate offices in Santa Cruz and include:
• Spreading financial statements, performing cash flow analysis, reviewing collateral, and underwriting commercial loan requests.
• Preparing credit approval requests and submitting them for approval by executives and loan committees.
• Attending training courses and enhancing knowledge of credit and lending topics.
• Engaging in training on writing, presentation skills, treasury management and compliance.
• Working closely with commercial lenders to ensure accurate and up-to-date credit files.
• Discussing perceived credit weaknesses or potential credit problems with the Underwriting Manager or other lending managers.
• Reviewing credit requests for conformance to regulatory guidelines and Bank policies.
• Assessing collateral and other sources of repayment, as well as borrower credit history and management ability.
• Participating in loan committees on a rotational basis.
• Performing general clerical duties including filing, copying, data entry and scanning.

Education:

• BA Business Administration with a preferred concentration in Finance or Accounting

Prior Experience:

• Prior internship or some experience working in financial services preferred.

Requisite Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to enter information into financial software and bank systems with a very high level of accuracy.
• Basic understanding of accounting and finance topics and familiarity with financial statements and tax returns.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers and software programs, such as MS Excel, MS Word and Adobe Acrobat, as well as other programs specific to the banking industry.
• Ability to work effectively at a fast pace with competing interests and due dates, while maintaining timely turnaround time on credit requests.
• Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision; curiosity and drive to develop and advance.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Vacation, sick leave, paid Holidays
• Paid volunteer time
• Employer paid life insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Ongoing training, professional development and career advancement opportunities

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate typical office equipment such as a computer, telephone, mouse and keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting may be required.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; including the occasional evening and weekend work as business demands dictate.
• Travel between company locations as needed.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, moderate traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit or stand at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Our Recruiting Process: If your application is selected, we'll reach out to schedule a panel interview where you'll meet various members of our team; the hiring manager, HR manager, and a few other folks - we like to make sure this job will be a fit for everyone! Following the panel interview, if you are selected to continue in the process, we'll schedule an in-person interview in one of our branch locations. If you are offered and accept the job, we'll begin the background screening process and prepare for your starting day!