Business Relationship Specialist

Our Company

At FirstBank PR, we strive to be a trusted advisor to our clients and our employees are the ones that ensure we deliver on our promise of excellence in personalized customer service. Our more than 3,100 employees in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Florida share a passion for excellent customer service. We are proud of our team because they are continuously surpassing our client’s expectations.

Do you have a passion for helping customers, building relationships, and delivering extraordinary, personalized customer service? If your answer is yes, FirstBank is the number one place for you.

A Brief Overview

The Business Relationship Specialist (BRS) is responsible for effective handling and coordination of the bank unit's efforts in servicing customer needs and in the resolution of customer inquiries while assuring the compliance of operational controls, policies, and regulations applicable. This staff is instrumental in providing overall support to Team Leaders and Relationship Officers in the enrollment and closing of their sales and services functions as a secondary point of contact for customers. The BRS identifies clients’ needs, recognizes opportunities and the need of products and/or services to satisfy commercial clients’ needs.

What you’ll do

· Responsible to support the Relationship Officers in originating new loans by collecting the initial documentation required for Closing Department, as well as, following up client in obtaining additional documentation required throughout the process.

· Responsible for managing the new loan relationship, requiring the verification of new loan booked in the corresponding commercial loans system, versus the Loan Agreement. If there is any discrepancy, discusses it with the Commercial Closing Supervisor and requires Closing Unit staff to issue the corresponding corrections in the system, if applicable; before it impacts the client and/or the Bank either in monetary aspects, reporting, audits, etc.

· Responsible for working closely to the relationship officer in the origination of transactions such as opening and closing of deposit accounts, including but not limited to DDA’s, CD’s and Savings, commercial transaction banking products/services, maintenance of authorized signatures, closing and disbursement of loans, handling and processing of loan documents and collateral documents, and others assigned tasks. In the event of deposit accounts’ waterfalls, the BRS needs to refer to Loan Agreement to understand the funds flow for depository structure and implement said structure in the account opening and the features applicable. Must ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations applicable to products.

· Process loan advances, payments, adjustments and provide customers information regarding loan balances, payments, and due dates. Performs loan analysis related to principal and interest applied to individual cases as needed or required by Customer, Relationship Officer, top management, etc.

· Manages the loan servicing of participations in which the Bank is the Agent, assuming the responsibility of allocating loans on advances (if a line of credit), issues billing, clarifies billing differences with participant Banks, etc., based on their loan acquired percentage. In participations acquired from other Banks, the BRS has to perform the balancing of all funds based on their loan %.

· Prepares or process instructions (depending on service level agreement with supporting areas) to disburse loan proceeds according to pre-established agreements. It includes accounting entries, official checks, wires, etc. and next day verifications of data entry correctness/accuracy and coordinating any corrections as needed.

· All transactions, the maintenance, etc., require the next day verification of data correctness/accuracy and coordinating any corrections as needed.

· Monitors portfolio customer accounts for available funds and apply payments per credit policy and loan contract. Handles calls from branches referring these approval requests to the authorized officer for check encashment. In addition, handles the referral of electronic transactions such as ACH, wires, book transfers, etc. for exposure over the limit, or insufficient/unavailability of funds in depository accounts by evidencing in transit transactions (deposits, loan advances, etc) and seeks RO concurrence for eventual approval by Credit Staff.

· Provides support in the administration of the commercial credit portfolio by reviewing portfolio’s maturity schedules and documentation expiration dates, notifying customers of information and documentation needed to maintain loans in good status, following up on such requests, make available the documentation to RO and credit analysts for the corresponding analysis. In addition, provides support in maintaining credit files with updated documents and keeps the documentation tickler up to date.

· Receives and initiates customer calls, emails and or receives in-person visits to coordinate bank’s unit efforts in the resolution of investigations, requirements, and discrepancies in the customers DDA, loan accounts and any other product/service. Ensures follow up with processes to finally remit to customers the necessary information guaranteeing an effective and timely resolution.

· Must ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations applicable to products and services.

· Identifies sales opportunities and refers them to the Relationship Officers and other business areas for specific products and services.

· Provides support and/or prepares reports, statistics, graphics, tables and presentations as required by supervisor/management.

· Assists in the streamlining of processes by taking advantage of structure/system capabilities.

· Participate in staff meetings and individual coaching sessions, as needed.

· Control operational costs through proactive management of processes.

· Assist in the Department’s special projects as needed.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or associate degree with at least two (2) years of experience in commercial banking operations or customer service or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job is required. Microsoft Office proficient (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Write, speak, and understand English & Spanish. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Customer Service oriented. Available to work overtime, when required, available to visit customers and outside agencies when required. License to operate motor vehicle.

Competencies

· Thorough knowledge of all phases of the division’s banking services and products, commercial operating systems and familiar with documentation used and applicable rules, regulations and procedures.

· Knowledge of banking laws and regulations, including Know your customer, Bank Secrecy Act, US Patriot Act, CRA, Truth in Lending, Truth in Savings, among others. Knowledge and conduct all actions according to best practices and adhere to operational controls and internal policies/procedures.

· Sales and Customer service: Knowledge of sales and customer service processes. Able to manage demanding, difficult or emotional customer situations and respond promptly and assertively to customer needs.

· Good analytical, problem solving, mathematics and communication skills.

· Teamwork: Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Integration with peer departments, especially Closing, Credit and Loan Review

· Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

· Good planning and organization and follow policies and procedures and completes administrative tasks correctly and on a timely basis.

· Ethics: Treats people with respect and upholds organizational values maintaining composure, tact and courtesy that could be routinely high volume and demanding.

· Computer proficient (Word, Excel, and Power Point)

· Excellent verbal and written communication in both English and Spanish.

First Bank Puerto Rico is a proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and takes affirmative action to employ Women, Protected Veterans, People with Disabilities and Minorities regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, and any other legally protected status.