Chief Credit Officer – Commercial Lending

A growing Community Bank is seeking an experienced Chief Credit Officer (CCO) with a strong background in both credit leadership and commercial lending. This executive-level role will oversee credit administration, portfolio quality, and overall credit risk while partnering with the lending team to drive sound, profitable growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong credit expertise, lending experience, leadership, and business-minded decision-making—protecting asset quality while recognizing and structuring strong lending opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of the credit function and commercial loan portfolio
• Establish and maintain credit policies, underwriting standards, risk tolerances, and approval procedures
• Review and approve complex C&I, CRE, construction, and commercial credits
• Partner with Commercial Lenders on loan structure, pricing, risk mitigation, and credit strategy
• Serve as a senior resource on complex transactions and credit decisions
• Participate in key client/prospect meetings when credit expertise is needed
• Monitor portfolio quality, concentrations, delinquencies, criticized/classified assets, exceptions, and emerging risks
• Oversee risk ratings, annual reviews, covenant compliance, documentation, and portfolio monitoring
• Lead and develop Credit Analysts, Underwriters, Portfolio Managers, and credit personnel
• Lead or actively participate in the Loan/Credit Committee
• Evaluate financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, collateral, guarantor strength, and repayment capacity
• Report credit quality, portfolio trends, concentrations, and risk exposure to Executive Management and the Board
• Coordinate with regulators, auditors, loan review, attorneys, and third-party professionals
• Maintain knowledge of FDIC, OCC, state banking regulations, and lending compliance
• Assist with strategic initiatives involving loan growth, market expansion, credit appetite, and portfolio diversification

Commercial Lending Focus

This is not strictly a credit administration role. The ideal candidate brings hands-on commercial lending experience and understands how to balance strong credit standards with business development.

• Proven commercial lending and relationship management experience
• Strong knowledge of C&I, CRE, and construction lending
• Ability to structure deals balancing client needs, profitability, and credit risk
• Comfortable working with business owners, developers, investors, lenders, and key clients
• Ability to help lenders win and retain quality relationships
• Understanding of both loan and deposit relationship growth

Ideal Candidate

• 10+ years of progressive commercial banking experience preferred
• Strong background in commercial lending and credit administration
• Leadership experience as a CCO, Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, Senior Commercial Lender, or similar
• Experience with complex/high-dollar commercial credits
• Advanced knowledge of underwriting, financial analysis, global cash flow, loan structuring, risk ratings, and portfolio management
• Business-minded approach to credit and risk management
• Strong leadership, communication, judgment, and decision-making skills
• Experience working with Executive Management, Boards, regulators, lenders, and clients
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred

Interested in Learning More?

I’m Denise Fair, Search Consultant with gpac’s Banking Division, and I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your career goals and this Chief Credit Officer opportunity.

All conversations are FULLY CONFIDENTIAL and come with no obligation.

Denise FairSearch Consultant | gpac – Banking Divisiondenise.fair@gogpac.com

denise.fair@gogpac.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.