Job Title:           Assistant Chief Credit Officer                          Classification:    Exempt, Officer

Department:      Credit                                                               Status:              Full-time

Position Overview

Work to ensure safety and soundness of First Western Bank & Trust’s lending activities; responsible for identifying and understanding developing trends and analyzing performance in order to develop an assessment of credit risks.  

Essential Job Functions

• Assist in ensuring safe and sound lending practices through ongoing monitoring of the loan portfolio and observance of financial industry, economy, market conditions, rates, vendors and competition that may impact credit quality
• Work closely with senior management and lenders to identify and mitigate risks in loan portfolios
• Assist in structuring commercial and consumer loan transactions
• Review and analyze large and complex credits as required in the Bank’s loan policy
• Assist in evaluating and then approving or declining policy exceptions and modifications to existing loans
• Participate as a member of various credit risk oversight committees of the Bank
• Assist with updating credit policies and procedures
• Examine files periodically for assurance of credit and collateral documentation, regulatory compliance and loan policy conformance
• Assist in monitoring portfolio reports to ensure the correction of credit documentation deficiencies and adherence to sound documentation procedures, prompt identification and workout of problem loans, and the execution of corrective action to eliminate examination criticisms
• Assist in providing oversight of the Bank’s OREO properties
• Assign appropriate risk ratings, as needed, in conjunction with loan loss reserve analysis 
• Assist in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL)
• Supervise the Credit Analysts to include performance reviews and career coaching
• Provide guidance and management of credit training needs for the Bank
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in carrying out responsibilities
• Ensure compliance with banking and insurance laws, regulations and the Bank’s policies and procedures, including the Bank Secrecy Act
• Maintain continuing education related to regulatory standards

Other Duties

• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned with or without notice

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MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR

Position Overview  

Develop new mortgage loan business for First Western Bank & Trust by developing a community network, soliciting business, responding to customer inquiries, and contacting mortgage referrals; oversee the mortgage loan process from application to closing; and provide ongoing customer support with mortgage customers. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Oversee the mortgage loan process from application to closing
• Promptly respond to all inquiries and online applications
• Interview prospective borrower in order to analyze financial and credit data
• Determine customer’s financing objectives and advise customer of product/pricing and guidelines
• Take detailed loan applications, turn completed files to processing team and help resolve any problems
• Ensure all loans are in compliance with regulatory, legal and bank requirements; including timely and accurate delivery of required disclosures 

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CREDIT ANALYST

Position Overview  

Analyze financial statements and credit data to determine First Western Bank & Trust’s risk in extending credit or lending money; and prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Analyze financial statements and credit data to determine the risk involved in extending credit
• Verify and input financial data within appropriate banking software 
• Prepare financial spreads utilized in credit presentation
• Evaluate customer earnings, savings data, payment history, and purchase activity
• Generate debt to income ratios to assess customers' financial status 

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INSURANCE AGENT - PERSONAL LINES

Position Overview 

Responsible for sales and retention of profitable personal lines of insurance business for the agency.

Essential Job Functions

• Prospect for sales leads
• Obtain all information needed for rating and issuance of proposals
• Complete insurance applications utilizing the agency management system
• Provide risk management advice to clients
• Collect premiums

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INVESTMENT OFFICER

Position Overview 

Manage First Western Bank & Trust’s bank investment portfolio and coordinate the purchase of securities to meet the business needs of the bank; direct interest rate risk and fund management functions.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee the bank’s investment portfolio to maximize return and profitability of assets in order to ensure adequate liquidity is available to meet withdrawal demands and the growth of loans and investments
• Perform analysis of risk management by accurately modeling assets and liabilities
• Monitor funds in excess of liquidity and reserve requirements
• Research investment opportunities and compile trend data regarding risks, yield and stability to provide valuation information for decision making 
• Analyze new purchases to ensure they meet investment goals and regulatory requirements 

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Senior Universal Banker

Are you customer focused, disciplined, ethical, and action oriented? Do you encourage and inspire others to do their best and have a passion for serving others? If so, you would be an excellent fit at Starion Bank!

Starion Bank is seeking a Senior Universal Banker in Bismarck.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a retail team while ensuring quality customer service, encouraging employee growth and development and achieving assigned metrics and goals
• Manage and direct branch retail operations
• Develop long-term customer relationships with consumer and business clients while maintaining existing customer relationships
• Open personal and business deposit accounts
• Process loan requests
• Cross-sell bank products and services
• Process regular teller transactions in an efficient, friendly and accurate manner

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BUSINESS BANKING REPRESENTATIVE

Are you a disciplined leader driven to serve your customers and peers as a subject matter expert? Do your get-‘er-done attitude, high ethical standards, and community involvement inspire others? If so, you may be an excellent fit at Starion Bank!

We are seeking a Business Banking Representative in Fargo

In this role, you will:

• Provide support including recording and maintaining documents in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Process loan advances, payments, credit bureau reports
• Have regular customer contact via in person, phone, email
• Promote Starion Bank and all products and services

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COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Horizon Financial Bank is looking for a full time Compliance Officer.  This position is available at our Bismarck, Devils Lake, or Munich location.

Job Summary: 

The Compliance Officer functions as an independent and objective body and is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering all aspects of the bank’s compliance management program.   The Compliance Officer is responsible for developing and updating the bank’s compliance program to ensure the bank is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  The Compliance Officer is also responsible for the duties of the BSA Officer, CRA Officer, and Privacy Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement the Compliance Management System
• Administer and monitor a program that ensures the bank’s compliance with laws, regulations, and rules governing banking
• Acts as compliance resource for the bank
• Communicate compliance findings and remediations with management
• Coordinator for external compliance audits and federal/state exams. Responsible for implementing remediation action and compliance responses.
• Have and maintain a working knowledge of existing and emerging regulations to ensure the bank is and remains compliant with such rules and regulations
• Coordinate with Operations Manager on compliance education
• Coordinate and lead the monthly compliance committee meetings
• Perform an annual risk assessment in order to establish a risk-based review schedule
• Responsible for ensuring the complaint process is working properly
• Maintain the bank’s CRA file and performing the annual report
• Maintain the bank’s BSA program

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COMMERCIAL LOAN PROCESSOR

Are you customer focused, disciplined, ethical, and action oriented? Do you encourage and inspire others to do their best? If so, you may be an excellent fit at Starion Bank!

Starion Bank is seeking a Commercial Loan Processor in Bismarck or Fargo.

In this position, you would be responsible for:

• Loan support functions for the lending needs of our customers.
• Keeping up to date with compliance regulations and changes.
• Bank quality control/risk guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Processing loan information for closing documentation.
• Processing and reviewing documents for accuracy.

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VIRTUAL BANKING REPRESENTATIVE

Starion is seeking a Virtual Banking Representative in Mandan. Hours for this position could vary daily between 7 AM and 6 PM Monday – Friday and will be included in a Saturday rotation. Travel may be required for training and team building.

At Starion Bank, we’re looking for talented people who will put our customers at the center of everything we do. Join our diverse team where you’ll feel valued and inspired to contribute your unique skills and experience.

The Virtual Banking Representative will:

• Deliver advanced digital and online offerings
• Work with online deposit accounts and loans
• Enhance the customer experience while providing solutions to customers
• Serve consumers through digital (online, mobile and social) and call center (phone, email and chat)
• Provide customers with convenient ways to manage their accounts and provide solutions that meet their financial needs
• Serve all Starion Bank locations throughout North Dakota and Wisconsin

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CASH MANAGEMENT OFFICER - WEST FARGO

Reports to: Commercial Banking Manager

Position Overview

Responsible for sales and support of non-loan products such as cash management, online services and deposit development services; ensure internal staff can properly identify referral opportunities and partner with team members in support of First Western Bank & Trust’s sales and service objectives while adhering to the bank’s culture of excellence in customer service to its patrons.             

• Take a consultative approach with customers and match customers with non-loan products that best fit their needs to include, but are not limited to, online banking, bill pay, remote deposit capture, wire transfer, e-Statements, ACH origination, credit cards, and merchant solutions
• Demonstrate services and products to prospects through personal meetings
• Complete systematic cash management and deposit relationship reviews for existing customers
• Work closely with the lending team to cross-sell and migrate customers to the appropriate product set
• Open new accounts, assist customers with changes and updates to existing accounts
• Answer customer credit and debit card questions, resolve maintenance issues, and post payments 

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SENIOR CREDIT ANALYST OFFICER

Position Overview

Responsible for conducting credit investigations and analyzing credit information pertaining to loans in order to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or ending money. Prepare credit reports for presentation to credit committees.

Essential Job Functions

• Analyze financial data regarding loan requests for new, renewal and existing loans. Investigate and analyze all available sources of credit and financial information, including reporting services, credit bureaus, other companies, main office files, and bank files in order to ensure the assembly of all pertinent information and reports.
• Process credit applications, including credit analysis, cash flow analysis, rating sheets and any other requested forms of information needed to complete a proper assessment of the customer or applicant.
• Prepare summaries, spreadsheets, reports, and presents facts; offer opinion concerning credit worthiness.
• Perform in-depth analysis of large and complex customer accounts and present recommendations to loan officers and credit committees.
• Assist loan officers with underwriting, collection and preparation of necessary information to set up and maintain loan files. Review credit documentation for deficiencies in order to ensure sound documentation procedures are maintained and, if necessary, the execution of corrective action to eliminate examination criticisms.

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MORTGAGE LOAN PROCESSOR

Position Overview

Provide administrative support to mortgage loan officers servicing First Western Bank & Trust’s new and existing mortgage loan customers.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee the tracking, maintenance and updating of Real Estate tickler files
• Manage mortgage loan accounting, collection of fees and income calculations
• Process accounts payable for mortgage department including underwriting and title fees
• Process in-house real estate loan payables
• Balance Real Estate department checking account in order to appropriately manage mortgage activity finances
• Answer phones, greet customers and provide courteous customer service

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UNIVERSAL BANKER - RECEPTIONIST

Position Overview 

Lead in answering incoming telephone calls, direct and assist customers with bank products and process transactions in support of First Western Bank & Trust’s sales and service objectives while adhering to the bank’s culture of excellence in customer service to its patrons.  

Essential Job Functions

• Greet visitors and customers in a courteous manner and welcoming smile, inquire the nature of their business in order to provide direction
• Establish solid customer relationships through identifying needs, providing creative and best solutions for customers, and using cross-sell and referral opportunities
• Uphold confidentiality of customer and proprietary information
• Answer incoming phone calls and route appropriately
• Handle inquiries on Certificate of Deposit rates

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LOAN DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST

Position Overview

Position is responsible for the completion of loan documentation. Responsibilities include entering information used for preparing and reviewing loan documentation for consumer and commercial loans for multiple states and locations, and uploading to the host accounting system utilizing LaserPro loan documentation software. Must maintain thorough knowledge of compliance regulations in order to complete all loan documentation. Provides customer service by responding to inquiries from loan originators in a timely manner. Maintains and seeks knowledge of operations systems/procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates and prepares loan documents using LaserPro loan documentation software. Ensures timely, accurate information is available to allow for effective servicing of customer needs.
• Maintains knowledge of required compliance and regulations in order to properly document loans.
• Coordinates with necessary parties on issues concerning the timeline and progress of the loan file and discusses with them any problems or additional documentation needed
• Coordinates with team members and supervisor to ensure adequate backup coverage
• Maintains understanding of loan product attributes and knowledge of loan documentation processes

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PRIVATE BANKING OFFICER

Are you energized by connecting with others? Are you a disciplined leader driven to serve your customers and meet their needs? Do your get-‘er-done attitude, high ethical standards, and community involvement inspire others? If so, you may be an excellent fit at Starion Bank!

We are seeking a Private Banking Officer in Bismarck.

In this role, you will:

Start new banking relationships and grow existing ones through:

• Connecting Starion to new community members—both individuals and organizations
• Thoughtfully collaborating with retail and lending colleagues
• Providing service through frequent contact with existing customers

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Happy 2021 everyone! I know this is going to be a great year and I hope it’s starting off that way for you and yours. Things in life are often relative and compared to a baseline. If 2020 is our baseline for evaluating 2021, then hallelujah! I like our chances for improvement. Covid cases are down and we’re seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with respect to this dastardly pandemic. I also know that 2021 will have its challenges, I just hope they aren’t the same challenges that we’ve faced the past almost year now.

Having said that, 2020 was a showcase year for the value proposition community banks provide. You all were front and center helping your friends, neighbors and communities deal with uncertainty and fallout from the pandemic. We might have even thought the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was behind us. If so, we were wrong because round two is in full swing and I know that you all are stepping up and doing your part. Thank you for that and for letting me be a small part in assisting you. And we may not be done given the high dollar stimulus package being proposed by President Biden.

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Politics, elections and pandemics, oh my! That’s kind of my take on the past several months and a less than articulate comparative reference to Dorothy’s infamous “lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my” quote from the Wizard of Oz. But just as those beasts struck fear in the hearts of Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow as they skipped through the forest in that iconic 1939 film, today’s unknowns of a yet-to-be resolved pandemic, a new administration and an unknown US Senate makeup (the Georgia runoffs are at least one reminder that the election isn’t really over) have left us modern day citizens a bit skittish about what’s ahead of us.

While it might not be a great career move for someone whose job it is to advocate for a tremendous community banking organization, I promised myself I wasn’t going to drone on about politics, the recent election and certainly not the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in this message. We’ve all had enough. I know I’ve had enough. A wise friend of mine asked me a few days ago if I could recall having recent conversations that didn’t involve politics or the pandemic. I couldn’t except for Stacey telling me that the dogs were tangled around the tree again. But I don’t think those count as “conversations” so I excluded them for the purposes of the exercise at hand.

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As I write this, it occurred to me that today is the first day of fall. Other than the leaves changing color, one might think it’s just another beautiful summer day as the temperature approaches 90 degrees in Bismarck. While 2020 has kind of been the year to forget, our summer weather was really quite delightful for the most part.

While our weather was pleasant, I can’t say it’s been a pleasant summer of clarity and direction for our bank members relative to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness process. Community banks across the country including North Dakota stepped up to efficiently process PPP loans and distribute those much-needed funds to our business and ag customers. You accomplished what the federal government couldn’t. And now, in my opinion, you’ve sort of been left holding the bag. Even the General Accounting Office (GAO) recognized this in their report issued this week. As they reported, the complexity and lack of guidance surrounding PPP loan forgiveness could limit the effectiveness of future rounds of the program.

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Despite these very weird and unprecedented times, I hope you’ve had some time to safely enjoy some summertime activities. At least the weather has been pleasant! 

By the time you read this we will already be well into August. Normally, your ICBND staff would be in the home stretch of preparation for our annual convention. Sadly however, for the first time in 53 years, the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota will not be holding its annual convention this summer. As you know, your convention committee and board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel the convention in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. While the convention is off, we are moving forward to safely host a golf outing and social on Monday, August 17. I hope to see many of you later this month.

Politics, of course, are in the air again as well. Following the general election in November, the 67th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature will hold its organizational session in early December in preparation for the 2021 legislative session which will be called to order on January 5^th.

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