Commercial Portfolio Loan Administrator

About Bankwell:
Bankwell is a commercial bank with more than $3 billion in assets that serves the banking needs of businesses and individuals. At Bankwell, we pride ourselves on our unique ability to bring you high touch, high-quality banking with the expertise and dedication of our experienced team of professionals. When it comes to business, our deep industry knowledge, flexibility and innovative treasury and financing services enable us to find the right solutions for our business and commercial clients. We’re passionate about giving back and are actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that help shape and improve the lives of others. We’re dedicated to giving our time and talent to support the communities we serve. More about Bankwell can be found at www.mybankwell.com.

Summary of Position:
The Commercial Portfolio & Loan Administrator is a senior individual contributor who owns the full post-approval lifecycle of an assigned book of Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Commercial & Industrial (C&I), Construction and Small Business credits. The role combines two disciplines that have historically been separate at the Bank: active credit portfolio management (risk rating integrity, covenant monitoring, financial analysis, and early identification of deteriorating credits) and senior commercial loan administration (closing coordination, documentation review, construction draw administration, and servicing controls).
By pairing credit judgment with documentation and servicing expertise in a single seat, this position gives Relationship Managers one accountable partner from closing through maturity, shortens turnaround on modifications and advances, and strengthens the Bank’s first line of defense on credit and operational risk. The incumbent works closely with Relationship Management, Credit, Loan Servicing, Finance and outside counsel, and is expected to exercise independent judgment within Bank policy and delegated authority.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Portfolio Management, Credit Risk Monitoring, Renewals, Modifications & Credit Action

- Actively manage an assigned portfolio of commercial borrowing relationships from loan closing through maturity, renewal or payoff.

- Immediately escalate to management any event that may adversely affect a borrower, the loan’s risk rating, or the Bank’s overall commercial portfolio risk profile.

- Review loan files on an ongoing basis to confirm that risk ratings are appropriate; prepare written analysis and supporting documentation for recommended rating changes.

- Track and test financial and non-financial covenant compliance; document exceptions and recommend appropriate remedies or waivers.

- Obtain and spread monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, tax returns, rent rolls and leases from borrowers and guarantors; prepare annual reviews and rent roll analyses.

- Monitor, track and help manage non-performing, underperforming and delinquent loans; actively manage work-out or troubled credits as assigned by the Chief Credit Officer, Head of Lending and/or Director of Credit Risk Management.

- Conduct site inspections and document findings in the credit file.

- Prepare and complete the quarterly Watch/Adversely Rated (WAR) reports.

- Prepare and present requests for loan modifications, administrative and regular extensions, line renewals, and smaller incremental increases within delegated authority (e.g., the 10% rule).

- Assemble the information required by Credit Review for renewals and modifications, and resolve loan review exceptions and tickler items, exercising sound judgment on their disposition.

- In coordination with Group Directors, process earn-out advances, releases of escrow, and replenishment of interest reserves.

2. Loan Closing, Documentation, Construction Lending & Participation Administration

- Review loan closing documents for accuracy, completeness and conformity with the approved credit package.

- Prepare and verify the approved Loan Checklist and Loan Input Forms before delivering the closing package to Loan Servicing.

- Generate internal loan documentation for non-attorney closed loans; coordinate all commercial loan closings with Group Directors and outside counsel.

- Order and review appraisals, environmental reports, UCC searches, title searches and flood zone determinations.

- Record mortgages and UCC-1 financing statements for non-attorney closings; maintain and archive credit, financial and legal files in both paper and electronic form.

- Administer the commercial construction loan portfolio, if applicable, including preparation of draw requests, ordering of site inspections, review of borrower documentation and lien waivers, and advancing of funds.

- Coordinate with participating and lead banks on all aspects of advances, payments and reporting.

- Respond to client requests for advances, pay-downs, transfers and general servicing inquiries, weighing client service against the Bank’s exposure to loss or fraud
3. Compliance, Reporting & Controls

- Determine CRA and HMDA reportability for assigned loans and support accurate regulatory reporting.

- Track fees collected, including commitment fees and prepayment penalties; review, approve and submit invoices to Accounting in a timely manner.

- Assist in the preparation and review of monthly Board and management reports.

- Stay current on lending laws, regulations and Bank policies; maintain the strictest confidentiality of customer information.

- Identify and recommend process improvements that strengthen controls and efficiency across Portfolio Management and Loan Operations; participate in special projects as assigned.

- Support relationship growth by identifying opportunities to cross-sell additional Bank products and services, in coordination with Relationship Managers.

Requirements
Qualifications & Skills:

Education & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

- Minimum of 7 years of commercial banking experience, including direct experience in credit analysis or portfolio management and in commercial loan administration or documentation; 10+ years preferred.

- Demonstrated experience with CRE, C&I and construction loans, including construction draw administration and loan participations.

- Loan documentation preparation, review and interpretation experience required; SBA loan administration experience a plus.

- Formal credit training (e.g., RMA or bank-sponsored credit program) preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Strong understanding of commercial credit products, Bank policy and procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements (including CRA, HMDA and flood insurance rules).

- Strong analytical skills, including financial statement spreading, cash flow and covenant analysis, and evaluation of rent rolls and leases.

- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with emphasis on Excel, Word, PowerPoint and CoPilot; working knowledge of Fiserv, and SharePoint.

- Sound, independent judgment, including the ability to make timely decisions on client transactions while protecting the Bank from loss or fraud.

- Exceptional attention to detail, organization and follow-through; able to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the presence to work effectively with Relationship Managers, senior credit officers, clients and outside counsel.

- Collaborative, service-oriented and self-directed; contributes positively as part of a team and adheres to all applicable policies and procedures.
FLSA Status: Exempt

Competitive compensation and benefits, including:

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage

- Employer-paid life and disability insurance

- HSA option

- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

- Telehealth and wellness resources

- Supplemental insurance options

- Pet insurance and legal plan benefits
Benefits become effective on the first day of the month following date of hire

This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees are expected to perform tasks assigned by supervisory personnel, regardless of job titles or routine job duties.

Bankwell is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of Americans with Disabilities Act and certain other state or local laws. Please inform Bankwell’s Human Resources representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

All employees are responsible for complying with banking regulations that apply to Bankwell. This includes, but is not limited to, adhering to the BSA and various consumer protection regulations, and complying with OFAC sanctions. Employees are required to complete compliance training and follow policies and procedures for applicable regulations based on their role. An employee’s failure to comply with banking regulations will be individually reviewed and assessed. The result of non-compliance may impact job performance ratings and may be serious enough to require termination of employment.