Community Development Officer

BankNewport celebrates being a community bank since 1819. Offering new and exciting career opportunities, BankNewport is committed to providing our employees with the resources and guidance to develop careers that are challenging and rewarding.

So, if you’re looking for a great professional opportunity, know that BankNewport will empower and invest in you.

The Community Development (Lending) Officer is responsible for developing and fostering organizational and business relationships within the community that BankNewport serves. As the Community Development Officer, this role is responsible for working with various lending areas to increase community development lending while assisting in development and delivery of products and services in low- and moderate-income communities within Bank’s assessments areas. Establishes and maintains relationships with community-based charitable and non-profit organizations in collaboration with the Director of Community Relations.

The Community Development (Lending) Officer is responsible for performing the following functions within scope of authority and expertise, to provide the highest level of service and responsiveness to customers and the communities in which the Bank serves. 

• Act as the primary point of contact between our organization and various lending programs, such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, Small Business Administration, Rhode Island Housing, SBDC’s, other community organizations and other government and non-government agencies.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of community development needs, identifying areas where lending programs can have the most significant impact and assist in developing sound loan programs designed to meet those needs.
• Work closely with clients to gather financial, operational, and organizational materials in preparation of loan applications.
• Partnering with a Commercial Lender, conduct loan/project due diligence, creating a clear and compelling narrative of loan strengths, weaknesses, and mitigating factors employing a creative, solutions-oriented approach to deal structuring and loan analysis.
• Partner with Commercial Lenders to address any credit quality issues of existing loans in an expeditious and appropriate manner to mitigate potential loan losses.

• Work closely with the Director of Community Relations to support the Bank’s CRA qualified investments in the areas of sponsorships and grants including an awareness of the Board’s funding priorities.
• Engage with community members to understand their financial needs, challenges, and aspirations and connect them with appropriate lending programs and resources.
• Act as a key educational resource for all departments on affordable products, guidelines and outreach while offering to be a resource for their clients.
• Maintain a library of CRA resources. Collect and distribute information related to the CRA and other topics to appropriate staff.
• Build awareness and provide training to Commercial, Retail and Marketing to promote affordable products and marketing collateral.
• Provide informational assistance to loan officers, branch personnel, Management and the Board of Directors.
• Represent the Bank at community events and other appropriate forums to establish relationships for loan programs, community outreach and lending opportunities.
• Ensure that all lending activities adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS :

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related field.
• Five or more years of proven experience in lending, banking, or financial services with a strong understanding of loan products and credit requirements.
• Experience working in community development or similar roles preferred, including in-depth working knowledge of community reinvestment (CRA) type programs and demonstrated leadership skills in a financial services and community bank environment.
• Proficiency in multiple languages is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with business units, management, staff, regulators and external constituencies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state lending regulations.
• Effective decision-making skills with proven ability to analyze information. Develop strategies and deliver results.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Must be able to multitask, act independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant software. Knowledge of Bank systems a plus.

SUPERVISORY SCOPE:  N/A

INDEPENDENT ACTION:  Performs work independently within scope of established guidelines and practices.  Consults with manager where clarification or exception to Bank policy may be required.  Takes initiative and effectively manage projects and program elements.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Any physical demands or work conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BANKNEWPORT CORE VALUES:

• We celebrate individuality
• We empower employees to be creative problem solvers
• We invest and take the time to really get to know our customers
• We commit to serving the financial needs of Rhode Islanders

Any physical demands or work conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BankNewport is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, military service, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.