Commercial Real Estate Officer

This position reports to:
John Berghorst, Chief Lending Officer, Commercial Real Estate

Originate and manage client relationships, underwrite loans and complete financial analysis, prepare loan proposals and commercial loan applications for self and senior relationship managers of the Commercial Real Estate Lending department.

• Originate and manage client relationships
• Develop new prospects, manage and grow a portfolio of existing real estate relationships
• Identify and execute on a variety of real estate transactions including multifamily, industrial, office and commercial construction loans
• Maintain and manage a portfolio, with ability to build relationships with existing and prospective clients focusing on revenue growth, fee income, deposits and cross‑selling services
• Respond to client inquiries
• Request and gather updated financial and operating information, perform financial analysis and confirm loan grades or recommend changes based on the analysis
• Update paper and/or electronic client loan files
• Work with Loan Operations, Deposit Operations and business bankers to meet clients’ banking needs
• Monitor and address past‑due loans and overdrawn deposit accounts
• Review information on market trends in commercial real estate
• Underwrite and close commercial real estate loans
• With senior relationship managers, interview clients and prospects regarding credit and service needs
• Perform site inspections, prepare corresponding site inspection memos and enter the memos into the CRE site inspection tracking file
• Review appraisals and other third‑party reports including credit inquiries
• Evaluate financial and operating information including property‑level cash flows and guarantor financial information
• Prepare loan proposal letters and commercial loan applications for self and senior relationship managers
• Work with Loan Operations and/or attorneys to generate and review loan documents and coordinate loan closings, tracking progress against the checklists and gathering requisite documents to share with the Loan Closer
• Attend Management Loan Committee and Director’s Loan Committee meetings as needed
• Attend Officers’ meetings
• Maintain familiarity with underwriting and Loan Policy guidelines
• Attend training as required
• Participate in CRA activities which require a minimum of 12 hours of volunteering annually

• Other duties as assigned

• Organized, detail oriented
• Ability to create monitoring and tracking systems
• Skilled in financial analysis, deal structuring and loan underwriting
• Understanding of real estate lending, CRE loan policy and regulatory requirements
• Ability to multi‑task while meeting deadlines
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Tact and diplomacy in dealing with team members, bank employees and clients
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Knowledge of FISERV

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics or equivalent related experience
• 2 – 3 years of financial analysis experience
• Minimum of two years’ work experience in a commercial real estate lending environment

• Expected Salary Range: $95,000 – $115,000 annually
• Salary will be negotiated based on relevant skills and experience as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

First Bank Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision/life insurance; 401(k); paid time off (PTO); and eligibility for an annual bonus. For a complete listing of benefits, please visit our website:

First Bank Chicago is an Equal Opportunity

Employer:

disability/veteran

Crain’s Chicago Best Places to Work 2018 I 2019 I 2020 I 2021 I 2022 I 2023 I 2024 I 2025

Salary Minimum: 95000 Salary Maximum: 115000