Loan Officer- Agricultural Lending

The Fountain Trust Company is a community-focused bank with 20 branches proudly serving residents and businesses across Indiana and eastern Illinois. We are dedicated to building lasting financial partnerships that empower our communities to grow and thrive. We are currently seeking a motivated, results-driven, and customer-focused Loan Officer with agricultural lending experience or a strong farming background to join our team at our Gifford branch. This position is focused primarily on agricultural lending and serving the financial needs of farmers and agricultural businesses in the communities we serve. The ideal candidate will understand the agricultural industry, have a strong knowledge of farm operations and financial needs, and be comfortable developing long-term relationships with agricultural producers. This is an excellent opportunity for an agricultural lender, experienced banking professional, or individual with a strong farming background who is looking to build a career with a relationship-driven community bank. Key Responsibilities: Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with farmers, agricultural producers, agribusinesses, and other agricultural customers. Develop new agricultural lending relationships while expanding and servicing existing customer relationships. Understand customers' farming operations, including crop and livestock production, operating cycles, equipment needs, land purchases, and other agricultural financing requirements. Analyze agricultural financial information, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flows, production history, and other information necessary to evaluate creditworthiness. Underwrite and structure agricultural loans in accordance with bank policies, regulatory requirements, and sound lending practices. Recommend appropriate agricultural loan products and financing structures based on the customer's operation, financial position, and long-term goals. Manage and grow a high-quality agricultural loan portfolio while maintaining strong credit quality and minimizing risk. Conduct regular customer visits and remain knowledgeable about customers' operations and changing agricultural conditions. Identify opportunities to provide additional banking products and services that meet the needs of agricultural customers. Monitor loan performance, financial trends, collateral, and other factors affecting the credit relationship. Consistently meet or exceed individual and team production and relationship-growth goals. Provide regular updates, insights, and feedback to management regarding agricultural lending activity, pipeline, portfolio performance, and market conditions. Actively participate in community events, agricultural organizations, industry activities, team meetings, and professional development opportunities. Qualifications and Skills: Agricultural experience is required for this position. Candidates should have either: Demonstrated experience in agricultural lending, agricultural banking, or farm credit; or A strong farming or agricultural production background with the knowledge and experience necessary to understand farm operations and agricultural financial needs. Additional qualifications include: Knowledge of agricultural lending principles, farm financial analysis, and agricultural credit. Understanding of farm operations, agricultural markets, production cycles, and the financial challenges facing today's agricultural producers. Ability to analyze financial information and make sound agricultural lending decisions. Strong communication, negotiation, sales, and relationship-building skills. Customer-first mindset with a genuine commitment to serving agricultural customers and the local community. Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with farmers and agricultural business owners. Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with bank staff and management. Highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple customer relationships and lending responsibilities. Strong judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to sound credit quality. Education & Experience: Agricultural lending experience or a strong farming/agricultural background is required. Previous experience as an agricultural lender, farm credit officer, commercial lender serving agricultural customers, or similar role is highly preferred. Individuals with significant hands-on farming or agricultural production experience who possess strong financial, analytical, and relationship-building skills are encouraged to apply. Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business, finance, or a related field is preferred; equivalent agricultural, farming, banking, or lending experience will be considered. Compensation will be commensurate with education, experience, and performance. Opportunity to earn bonus on salary based on performance annually. Why Join Us? At The Fountain Trust Company, we value integrity, community involvement, and a customer-first approach. When you join our team, you become part of a trusted local institution with a long-standing reputation for excellence. As an agricultural lender with The Fountain Trust Company, you will have the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with farmers and agricultural businesses while playing an important role in the success of the communities we serve. We offer competitive compensation, ongoing professional development, opportunities for career advancement, and the ability to make a meaningful impact through relationship-based agricultural banking. Join Our Team If you have a passion for agriculture, understand the needs of farmers, and are looking for an opportunity to build lasting relationships through agricultural lending, we encourage you to apply.