VP, Commercial Credit Risk

Who We Are

Cross River builds the infrastructure behind the world's most innovative financial products. Our technology and capital solutions power payments, cards, lending, and digital asset capabilities that move money safely, instantly, and inclusively - trusted by leading fintechs, enterprises, and disruptors across the globe.

Our mission is simple: to build the financial infrastructure that expands access and opportunity for all. Guided by a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and purpose, Cross River has been named one of American Banker's Best Places to Work in Fintech year after year. Whether you're designing code, solving regulatory puzzles, or developing strategy, you'll join a team where innovation and integrity drive everything we do - and where your work helps shape the future of finance.

What We're Looking For

The Vice President, Commercial Credit Risk serves as a critical second line of defense within the Credit Risk Management division of a FDIC-regulated community bank headquartered in New Jersey. This role provides independent credit risk oversight across the bank's commercial lending portfolios - including Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Construction, Lender Finance, Commercial & Industrial (C&I), SBA and Health Care - as well as credit exposures arising from the bank's Fintech partnership and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) activities. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who have experience in Healthcare related transactions involving skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

The VP is responsible for ensuring credit quality, sound underwriting standards, and regulatory compliance while supporting the bank's strategic growth in both traditional commercial lending and innovative fintech-enabled programs. This position reports directly to the Chief Credit Risk Officer (CCRO).

Responsibilities:

Second Line Review of Commercial Loan Originations

• Perform independent second line of defense review of all commercial credit originations
• Providing risk-based challenge to first-line underwriting assumptions
• Document independent risk opinions and escalate material credit concerns to the CCRO and/or Credit Committee
• Conduct financial and risk assessment reviews (payer mix, reimbursement rate sensitivity, regulatory/compliance risk)
• of Health Care providers (skilled nursing, assisted living, hospitals
• Review credit exposures associated with Fintech partnership lending programs, ensuring appropriate risk assessment of program-level and individual credit risk characteristics

Risk Rating Scorecard Enhancements

• Support the design, development, and ongoing enhancement of internal credit risk rating scorecards and methodologies
• Collaborate with credit risk analytics and data teams to validate scorecard performance, calibrate rating thresholds, and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations (FDIC guidance, Interagency Policy Statements)

Review of Annual Reviews, Rating Upgrades/Downgrades & Impairment Analysis

• Oversee and independently validate the annual review process for the commercial loan portfolio, ensuring timely completion, appropriate financial analysis, and accurate risk rating assignment
• Review and approve/challenge proposed rating upgrades and downgrades, ensuring consistency with the bank's rating philosophy and supportable by borrower financial performance and market conditions
• Conduct or validate impairment analyses (ASC 310/326) for credits exhibiting signs of deterioration

Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor portfolio-level credit quality indicators across all segments, including delinquency trends, watch list migration, concentration levels, and criticized/classified asset ratios
• Partner closely with the Allowance/CECL team to support specific reserve (individual assessment) analysis for impaired or deteriorating commercial credits

Policy & Governance

• Maintain, review and update the Commercial Lending Policy and Procedures

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree - in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (required)
• Master's degree (MBA) or professional certification (e.g., CFA, CRC, FRM, RMA-CCRM) (preferred)

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in commercial credit risk, underwriting, or credit portfolio management within a banking environment, preferably at a community or regional bank
• At least 5 years in a second line of defense, credit review, or senior credit risk management role
• Demonstrated experience with CRE, Construction, Lender Finance, C&I, SBA and/or Health Care lending portfolios
• Understanding of CMS/Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement dynamics and Health Care regulatory and licensure risk factors
• Experience with FDIC and/or OCC regulated institutions strongly preferred
• Prior involvement in regulatory examination preparation and response
• Experience with or exposure to Fintech/BaaS lending programs and third-party risk management is a significant plus

#LI-JJ1 #LI-Hybrid #LI-Onsite

Salary Range: $200,000.00 - $225,000.00

Cross River is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cross River does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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