Chief Credit Officer – Commercial Lending

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

The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of credit expertise, commercial lending experience, leadership, and business-minded decision-making—someone who can protect asset quality while recognizing and structuring strong lending opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of the Bank’s credit administration 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 other commercial credits
• Partner with Commercial Lenders on loan structure, pricing, risk mitigation, and credit strategy
• Participate in significant client and prospect meetings when credit expertise is needed
• Serve as a senior resource to lenders on complex loan structures and credit decisions
• Monitor portfolio quality, concentrations, delinquencies, criticized/classified assets, exceptions, and emerging risks
• Oversee risk ratings, annual reviews, covenant compliance, loan documentation, and portfolio monitoring
• Lead, mentor, and develop Credit Analysts, Underwriters, Portfolio Managers, and credit personnel
• Lead or actively participate in the Bank’s Loan/Credit Committee
• Evaluate financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, collateral, guarantor strength, and repayment capacity
• Report portfolio trends, credit quality, concentrations, and risk exposure to Executive Management and the Board
• Coordinate with regulators, auditors, loan review, attorneys, and other third-party professionals
• Maintain current knowledge of FDIC, OCC, state banking regulations, and lending compliance
• Assist with strategic planning related to loan growth, market expansion, credit appetite, and portfolio diversification

Commercial Lending Focus

This is not strictly a credit administration position. The ideal candidate has hands-on commercial lending experience and understands the importance of balancing 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 that balance client needs, profitability, and credit risk
• Comfortable working with business owners, developers, investors, lenders, and key clients
• Ability to support lenders in winning and retaining quality relationships
• Strong understanding of both loan and deposit relationship growth

Ideal Candidate

• 10+ years of progressive commercial banking experience preferred
• Strong background in both commercial lending and credit administration
• Leadership experience as a Chief Credit Officer, Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, Senior Commercial Lender, or similar
• Experience with complex and high-dollar commercial credits
• Advanced knowledge of underwriting, financial analysis, global cash flow, loan structuring, risk ratings, and portfolio management
• Proven ability to manage risk while maintaining a business-minded lending approach
• 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—simply an opportunity to determine if this position aligns with your experience and future career goals.

Denise Fair
Search Consultant | gpac – Banking Division

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.