Position : Agricultural Loan Officer

Location : East Syracuse, New York

Requisition ID: : 27445

Working under moderate guidance, evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications in compliance with DFA’s lending policies and procedures. Perform a variety of duties to meet the financing needs of our dairy farm members; achieve customer service goals as established in the annual review; comply with operating policies and procedures established for the lending services function in analyzing situations; solve problems in straightforward to moderately complex situations; analyze possible solutions using technical experience and judgment and precedents; communicate with appropriate personnel; maintain close interaction with credit administration with respect to all aspects of loan origination and ongoing servicing; respond to inquiries or requests for information; maintain appropriate records; and provide assigned reports.

Location : the preferred candidate will live in the Syracuse, NY area. Remote based candidates will also be considered, as long as the candidate lives within the Northeastern part of the US.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Perform a variety of duties to meet the agricultural financing needs of customers as follows:

• Solicit new business from present and prospective customers; maintain ongoing business relationships with present customers in order to take advantage of additional cross-selling opportunities

• Conduct customer interviews to determine financial needs

• Conduct customer site visits as needed to inspect business operations and collateral

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the features and benefits of all DFA Financing/Agri-Max products and services in order to identify customer needs and to sell in conjunction with those needs

• Provide direct service to customers of the department with respect to loan and other miscellaneous products and services

• Approve or reject loan applications within individual lending authority. Recommend to management and appropriate authority level those applications above the established limit of authority

• Obtain and analyze all necessary financial data, credit reports, etc., to conduct the credit analysis

• Proactively work with the Credit Manager resulting in complete and timely analysis of borrower accounts within his/her portfolio

• Assist customers in obtaining services from other departments as necessary; provide help to customers with specific inquiries or service problems

• Instruct document preparation personnel on loan closing documents

• Develop and maintain referral network for new business development

• Conduct business development calls to area businesses

• Conduct customer contact and collection activity on assigned past due loan accounts

• Maintain a working knowledge of organizational operating policies and procedures which impact lending services

• Prepare and maintain accurate records of all customer service calls made and meetings held with present and prospective customers

• Cooperate with, participate in, and adhere to all internal policies, standard operating procedures, and practices in support of risk management as well as the organization’s compliance with all regulatory requirements

• Monitor credit quality on an ongoing basis to assure timely and appropriate actions to protect the organization’s interest. Be proactive in recommending loan grade changes up or down on all credits so that an accurate picture of the loan portfolio risk can be obtained by management in order to control the level of criticized assets within own portfolio

• Respond to inquiries relating to own particular area, or to requests from other personnel, customers, etc., within given time frames and within established policy

• Maintain and enter all necessary information into the information systems relevant to running the business of DFA Financing (e.g., LA Pro, CQ, CRM, etc.)

• Attend workshops, seminars, or other developmental opportunities to improve individual and/or team performance

• Attend sales and trade meetings as a representative to develop new business and to gain information and leads on new business relationships

• Monitor individual job performance versus objectives on a regular basis; discuss performance with appropriate supervisor on a frequent basis; communicate with management and staff personnel in order to integrate goals and activities

• Jointly establish annual quantitative customer service and sales objectives with assigned supervisor; this activity to be integrated with the business unit’s annual operating plan

• Support and adhere to the Core Values of the organization

• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2 to 4 years of progressive loan/lending services experiences

• Specialized banking education and training and basic understanding of financial statements

• Financing needs of dairy farm operations preferred

• Certification and/or License – Valid Driver’s License; certain certifications may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills

• Proficient interpersonal relations, communicative, and sales skills

• Solid knowledge of the features and benefits of all bank agriculture and commercial products and services

• Working knowledge of bank operating policies and procedures that impact agriculture and commercial services

• Skill in analytical thinking and critical thinking

• Able to deal with customers in stressful times; able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism

• Able to consistently demonstrate discipline and focus

• Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)

• Able to maintain confidentiality of information

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English

Travel : 50% - 75% (up to 2 weeks per month)

An Equal Opportunity Employer