OVERVIEW

The VP, Commercial Loan Closer / Account Executive, serves as the Bank's senior commercial loan closing subject matter expert and primary resource for complex commercial loan transactions. This position provides leadership and oversight for commercial loan closing activities, documentation strategy, collateral perfection, transaction execution, and closing process improvements. The role partners closely with executive leadership, Credit Administration, Relationship Managers, Legal Counsel, and Loan Operations to facilitate complex transactions while ensuring compliance with Bank policies, regulatory requirements, and approved credit structures.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Loan Closing & Documentation

• Manage the full closing lifecycle for high-net-worth lines of credit, C&I, CRE, and specialty commercial loans (rediscount lines of credit)
• Prepare, review, and finalize loan documents including:
• Notes, Loan Agreements, Mortgages/Deeds of Trust
• Security Agreements, UCC filings, Guarantees
• Construction riders, assignments, and ancillary documents
• Ensure loan documents strictly conform to credit approval memos, term sheets, loan policy, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate closing conditions, waivers, and post-closing deliverables
• Serves as a subject matter expert for commercial loan documentation and closing requirements.
• Reviews documentation exceptions and works with appropriate parties to resolve issues prior to funding. Serves as the primary escalation point for complex commercial loan closing and documentation matters.
• Reviews and approves complex documentation structures and closing requirements within delegated authority.
• Provides guidance regarding documentation exceptions, closing structures, and legal documentation concerns.
• Develops and maintains closing standards, documentation controls, and best practices.

Coordination & Execution

• Serve as the primary point of contact for:
• Relationship Managers
• Credit Administration
• Legal counsel (internal and external)
• Title companies, surveyors, appraisers, and borrowers
• Schedule and manage closings, fundings, and disbursements
• Review title commitments, surveys, insurance certificates, and closing statements
• Coordinates closing activities with Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, Legal Counsel, Loan Operations, and external parties to ensure timely and accurate execution. 
• Partners with executive leadership, Credit Administration, Legal Counsel, and Relationship Managers on complex commercial transactions.
• Oversees highly complex closings involving unique collateral structures, legal considerations, participations, or syndicated transactions.
• Provides recommendations regarding transaction structure, execution strategy, and closing requirements.

Collateral & Perfection

• Ensure proper collateral documentation and perfection, including:
• UCC-1 filings and continuations
• Real estate lien filings (mortgages, deed of trust, etc.)
• Assignment of leases and rents
• Confirm accuracy of lien positions, entity authority, and legal descriptions. 
• Serves as the senior resource for collateral perfection requirements and lien position matters.
• Reviews and resolves complex collateral-related issues and documentation exceptions.

Compliance & Quality Control

• Ensure adherence to:
• Bank loan policy and procedures
• OCC / FDIC regulatory expectations
• State and federal lending regulations
• Identify and resolve documentation discrepancies or structural issues prior to funding
• Maintain high standards for audit, examiner, and investor readiness
• Identifies and escalates operational, documentation, legal, and compliance concerns as appropriate.
•  Supports internal audits, external audits, and regulatory examinations related to commercial loan documentation and closing activities. Leads responses related to commercial loan documentation and closing matters during audits, examinations, and compliance reviews.
• Identifies transaction, documentation, collateral, and compliance risks and recommends mitigation strategies.
• Monitors legal and regulatory developments affecting commercial loan documentation and closing practices.

Post-Closing & Servicing Transition

• Ensure complete and accurate loan files
• Coordinate booking and boarding of loans into core and servicing systems (Fiserv)
• Track trailing documents and cure deficiencies timely
• Provides guidance and support regarding servicing transition requirements and documentation follow-up activities.
• Provides oversight of post-closing quality control and documentation follow-up processes.
• Ensures consistent servicing transition practices and documentation standards.

Process Improvement & Leadership

• Provides leadership and oversight regarding commercial loan closing procedures, workflows, and operational controls.
• Leads commercial closing process improvement initiatives and system enhancements.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to closing personnel and business partners.
• Represents Commercial Closing in cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and operational improvement efforts.
• Provides recommendations to executive leadership regarding staffing needs, workflow enhancements, operational risks, and process improvements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct managerial responsibilities but provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and subject matter expertise regarding commercial loan closing activities, documentation requirements, transaction execution, and collateral perfection. May serve as the senior closing resource for the Bank and provides guidance regarding closing standards, controls, compliance requirements, and process improvement initiatives.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Legal Studies, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant commercial lending, documentation, legal, or banking experience may be considered.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible commercial lending, commercial loan closing, documentation, or related banking experience.
• Advanced hands-on experience with LaserPro (Wolters Kluwer).
• Demonstrated experience closing commercial real estate (CRE) transactions.
• Demonstrated experience closing commercial and industrial (C&I) loans with complex collateral structures, including rediscount lines of credit and borrowing base facilities.
• Demonstrated experience closing unsecured loans for high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs.
• Strong knowledge of commercial loan documentation, UCC filings, collateral perfection, title requirements, survey requirements, and insurance requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple complex loan closings simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a community or regional banking environment preferred.
• Familiarity with OCC-regulated banking environments preferred.
• Experience supporting loan purchases, loan participations, or syndicated credit transactions preferred.
• Paralegal, legal, or commercial documentation background preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex commercial transactions, audits, examinations, and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting executive leadership, strategic initiatives, loan participations, syndicated transactions, or organizational change efforts preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial loan documentation, collateral perfection, and closing requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in LaserPro (Wolters Kluwer).
• Strong knowledge of commercial real estate, C&I, and specialty lending products.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial lending structures, transaction execution, and documentation risk management.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Advanced understanding of commercial lending regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong risk assessment and risk mitigation capabilities.
• Ability to lead complex transaction initiatives and process improvement efforts.
• Strong relationship-management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, Legal Counsel, Credit Administration, Relationship Managers, and external stakeholders.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Clear and effective communicator.
• Collaborative team player.
• Detail-driven with a high level of accuracy.
• Commitment to accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive customer and Bank information.
• Ability to effectively prioritize competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and service standards.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with Credit Administration, Lending, Legal Counsel, Loan Operations, and external business partners.
• Ability to independently manage complex commercial loan transactions from approval through closing and funding.
• Ability to resolve documentation, collateral, and closing-related issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to manage sensitive client interactions.
• Ability to provide strategic guidance regarding transaction structures, documentation requirements, and closing risk management.
• Ability to assess transaction-related risks and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, Legal Counsel, auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to support organizational initiatives, process improvements, and long-term operational objectives.
• Ability to influence decision-making and drive effective outcomes across multiple business units.
• Ability to provide leadership, coaching, and subject matter expertise to team members and business partners.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

Travel: Minimal to no travel required. Occasional travel may be required for training, meetings, closings, or other business-related purposes.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based in either Stamford, CT or Southern California. Patriot Bank values an in-person work environment that supports collaboration, learning, mentorship, and operational effectiveness.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Patriot Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required.