EVP, Chief Lending Officer

Position Summary:

The Executive Vice President (EVP), Chief Lending Officer (CLO) is the senior executive responsible for establishing, leading, and executing the Bank’s enterprise lending strategy across commercial and residential lending. As a privately owned community bank with approximately $6 billion in assets and a $5 billion loan portfolio, the Bank relies on the CLO to drive sustainable loan growth, optimize portfolio performance, and align lending activities with its strategic objectives.

 

The EVP, Chief Lending Officer, owns the enterprise lending growth agenda and is accountable for credit production, portfolio growth, client relationship expansion, pricing discipline, risk-adjusted profitability, asset quality, regulatory compliance, and long-term portfolio performance. 

 

Reporting directly to the President, the CLO serves as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Directors, providing insight and recommendations on lending strategy, portfolio performance, market opportunities, and emerging credit risks. In partnership with the Chief Credit Officer, the CLO helps shape lending policy, approval authorities, risk appetite, and concentration limits while maintaining appropriate governance, credit independence, and segregation of duties.

Why Fremont Bank?:

Founded in 1964, Fremont Bank is one of the oldest independently owned banks in the Bay Area and has been consistently recognized as a Top Workplace for the past 15 consecutive years. Our foundation is built on relationships — with our clients, our associates, and our communities.

We offer:

• A people-first culture grounded in inclusion and excellence
• Deep community involvement and local reinvestment
• A mission-driven workplace where values and performance go hand in hand

The Fremont Bank Way:

• Full-Service Banking with comprehensive financial solutions, advanced technology, and exceptional service
• No-Compromise Approach — we help clients get to "yes"
• Core Values:
  • Go above and beyond for clients
  • Foster a supportive and empowering environment for associates
  • Deeply invest in the well-being of our local community

Key Responsibilities:

Board & Executive Governance

• Serve as the principal lending advisor to the President, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on lending strategy, portfolio performance, market opportunities, emerging credit risks, and long-term growth objectives.
• Present lending strategy, production performance, portfolio trends, market conditions, and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors and designated board committees.
• In partnership with the Chief Credit Officer, recommend enhancements to lending policies, credit approval authorities, risk appetite, concentration limits, pricing strategies, and growth initiatives.
• Ensure the Board receives timely, transparent, and forward-looking reporting on portfolio performance, asset quality, regulatory developments, market conditions, and material credit risks requiring oversight or action.
• Participate in enterprise strategic planning and capital allocation discussions, providing lending expertise to support growth, market expansion, product development, and long-term franchise value.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of enterprise lending strategies that drive sustainable growth, profitability, market share, client relationship expansion, and long-term franchise value in alignment with the Bank’s strategic plan.
• Establish clear business objectives, performance expectations, production targets, risk parameters, and accountability routines to ensure the lending organization delivers against Bank goals.
• Evaluate emerging market trends, client needs, competitive dynamics, and portfolio performance to recommend strategic actions, product direction, pricing strategy, market focus, and resource allocation.
• Drive cross-functional operating efficiencies, organizational design improvements, reporting discipline, analytics, and Board Committee materials that reduce duplication while preserving required specialization and control functions.
• Assess macroeconomic conditions, interest rate trends, CRE and residential market conditions, liquidity pressure, regulatory expectations, competitive pricing, and borrower behavior, and recommend adjustments to lending strategy, concentration levels, pricing, and risk appetite. 

Team Leadership and Development 

• Lead a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, client focus, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement through visible leadership, clear expectations, and strong organizational alignment.
• Build leadership capability and succession depth across the lending organization to support retention, career growth, business continuity, and future leadership readiness.
• Direct talent acquisition, leadership development, mentoring, performance management, workforce planning, and succession planning for a high-performing lending organization. 

P&L and Budget Ownership: 

• Direct the development of annual lending budgets, forecasts, production plans, and pipeline management routines to ensure results meet or exceed plan and remain aligned with prudent incentive compensation practices.
• Own key profitability drivers, including loan production, portfolio balances, spread, fee income, expense discipline, loan pricing, pipeline conversion, and risk-adjusted return metrics. Ensure incentive plans do not encourage excessive credit, compliance, or operational risk.
• Hold the lending leadership team accountable for forecast accuracy, pipeline quality, production mix, pricing discipline, portfolio performance, and incentive plan alignment.
• Establish and lead sales, marketing, referral, market expansion, and growth strategies necessary to achieve origination targets and deepen client relationships.
• Use key performance indicators, dashboards, and management routines to evaluate performance, identify gaps, recommend corrective actions, and hold leaders accountable for results. 

Business Development: 

• Lead business development strategy and execution while maintaining credit discipline and alignment with the Bank’s risk appetite and loan policy to expand the Bank’s loan portfolio, market share, and relationship profitability.
• Integrate commercial, residential, credit, operations, treasury, wealth, branch, marketing, and compliance partners to eliminate silos, remove barriers, and deliver consistent client service and high-quality lending outcomes.
• Represent the Bank externally by cultivating senior-level relationships with key clients, industry contacts, referral sources, centers of influence, and business partners to support business development, client engagement, market expansion, and cross-sell opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing department to drive marketing strategy, including advertising, events and public relations. 

Client Relationship Management: 

• Set standards for relationship management effectiveness and ensure Relationship Managers, product specialists, and business partners deliver strategic advice, value-added services, and comprehensive banking solutions.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with product specialists and subject matter experts to deliver customized banking solutions and value-added services to commercial and residential clients.
• Establish and oversee client review and needs assessment disciplines to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, deepen wallet share, and deliver customized solutions.
• Serve as a visible market leader and ambassador for the Bank by building senior-level relationships with business owners, community leaders, industry partners, and centers of influence.
• Broaden enterprise collaboration across commercial lending, residential lending, Treasury Management, Wealth, Compliance, Credit, Loan Operations, Marketing, Branch Banking, and other partners to drive integrated client outcomes. 

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field required; MBA, Graduate School of Banking, Pacific Coast Banking School, ABA Stonier, or equivalent executive banking development preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive banking leadership experience with significant responsibility for lending strategy, business development, loan production, portfolio management, credit discipline, and executive-level results.
• Experience presenting to and advising Boards of Directors, Board Committees, executive leadership, and regulators on lending strategy, portfolio performance, market conditions, and emerging credit risk.
• Advanced commercial credit training, formal credit certification, or equivalent demonstrated executive credit expertise preferred.
• Deep understanding of banking products, services, operations, and control expectations, including commercial and residential lending, deposit products, treasury management, loan operations, credit administration, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Executive presence with strong leadership, communication, influence, consultation, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to advise senior leadership, engage directors, inspire teams, and drive accountability through others.
• Experience leading lending at a community or regional bank of similar size and complexity, preferably with a multi-billion-dollar loan portfolio and direct Board or Board Committee exposure.
• Direct experience with commercial and residential loan origination best practices, lending operations, relationship management, loan pricing, concentration management, portfolio optimization, and portfolio management in a regulated environment.
• Experience managing through credit cycles, changing rate environments, liquidity pressure, regulatory examinations, market disruption, and evolving borrower behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to set clear and measurable objectives, delegate authority, differentiate performance, recognize outstanding performance, address performance gaps, and make organizational decisions that improve business outcomes.
• Sound judgment, objective decision-making, executive consultation, problem-solving, and ability to balance growth, profitability, client experience, regulatory expectations, and credit risk.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with the Board, executive leadership, regulators, internal partners, external stakeholders, business partners, and relationship clients.
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory requirements, fair lending, compliance standards, loan policy, credit administration, portfolio reporting, and governance expectations applicable across consumer and business banking and lending.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (e.g., sitting or standing).
• Frequent use of computers and other office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers.
• Occasionally move or lift items up to 10 pounds.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

What Makes Fremont Bank Associates Thrive?:

• Team Players who go above and beyond to support their colleagues
• Action-Oriented professionals who challenge the status quo and seek improvement
• Purpose-Driven individuals who understand and champion the bank’s community impact

Benefits Snapshot:

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, Dependent Care, Health Savings)

Financial & Retirement

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with employer match
• Performance-based bonuses or incentives

Work-Life & Perks

• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Free personal checking and savings accounts
• Home loan rate discounts
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development resources
• On-site gym and discounted health club memberships
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Fremont Bank is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Salary Range:

The hiring salary range is based on factors such as experience, skills, education, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made in consideration of these factors and in alignment with Fremont Bank’s compensation philosophy.

Salary Range: USD $335,000.00 - USD $450,000.00 /Yr. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP):

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a way for Fremont Bank to contribute to the financial well-being of associates by making a contribution to their retirement account. In addition, the ESOP provides associates an opportunity to share in the growth and prosperity of Fremont Bank.

Note to Search Firms::

Fremont Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies without a signed service agreement. Unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Fremont Bank, and no fees will be paid.