NEW OPPORTUNITY!
Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender at First Independence Bank
First Independence Bank’s mission is to be a beacon for capital accumulation for individuals and business entities by delivering financial services with an affinity for under-served and minority communities. First Independence Bank has an asset size of approximately $950 million. This figure includes the assets acquired from the bank's February 2026 purchase of the failed Chicago-based Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, which expanded the Detroit-headquartered, Black-owned commercial bank into the Illinois market.
ROLE SUMMARY:
The Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender
Company Description: First Independence Bank’s mission is to be a beacon for capital accumulation for individuals and business entities by delivering financial services with an affinity for under-served and minority communities. First Independence Bank has an asset size of approximately $950 million. This figure includes the assets acquired from the bank's February 2026 purchase of the failed Chicago-based Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, which expanded the Detroit-headquartered, Black-owned commercial bank into the Illinois market.
ROLE SUMMARY:
The Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender is a senior banking executive responsible for driving profitable commercial loan growth while providing strategic and operational leadership across commercial lending, credit administration, loan operations, and mortgage operations. This role ensures disciplined credit risk management, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a consistent client experience across a multistate banking footprint. The EVP serves as a key member of executive management and a steward of enterprise credit and operational governance.
Direct Reports: Regional Commercial Lenders; Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Mortgage Operations
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Commercial Lending & Relationship Management
Originate, structure, approve, and close complex commercial credit facilities, including
large relationships, specialized lending, and syndicated transactions.
Maintain and expand relationships with the bank’s commercial clients and prospects.
Serve as senior relationship executive and trusted advisor to top tier commercial
customers.
Drive new business development while maintaining strong pricing discipline and risk
adjusted returns.
Credit Administration Oversight
Provide executive oversight of Credit Administration functions across multiple states,
including underwriting, credit analysis, approval processes, portfolio
management, and credit policy.
Ensure consistent credit standards, risk ratings, concentration management, and
documentation practices throughout the bank.
Chair or actively participate in senior credit committees and governance forums.
Oversee asset management strategies in partnership with Special Assets functions, as
applicable.
Loan Operations & Mortgage Operations Leadership
Lead and oversee Loan Operations and Mortgage Operations departments ensuring
efficiency, accuracy, and strong internal controls.
Establish standardized operational processes and service levels across the multistate
footprint.
Ensure timely and accurate loan booking, servicing, documentation, collateral control,
and servicing activities.
Provide executive oversight of mortgage origination, processing, underwriting support,
closing, and servicing operations consistent with bank strategy.
Enterprise Risk, Compliance & Regulatory Management
Ensure compliance with all federal and state banking regulations, including safety and
soundness standards.
Partner with Risk Management, Compliance, Legal, and Audit to remediate regulatory
findings.
Support regulatory examinations and maintain constructive relationships with regulatory
agencies.
Financial Performance & Strategy
Accountable for commercial loan growth, asset quality, operational performance, and
profitability metrics.
Contribute to enterprise budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
Drive operational scalability and continuous improvement initiatives.
Leadership, Talent & Culture
Lead, coach, and develop commercial lenders and operations leaders.
Set performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, risk
discipline, and collaboration.
Support succession planning and leadership development across lending and operations
teams.
Collaboration & Enterprise Leadership
Partner with Treasury Management, Capital Markets, Retail Banking, Private Banking, and
other businesses to deliver integrated client solutions.
Represent the bank in executive forums, industry organizations, and community
engagements.
All other relevant assigned duties as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field required; MBA or
equivalent preferred.
15+ years of progressive banking experience with deep expertise in commercial
lending and credit risk management.
Demonstrated experience overseeing credit administration and lending operations.
Experience leading teams across multiple states strongly preferred.
Ability to drive end to end reporting of the existing commercial loan portfolio by the
teams, within the enterprise platform covering existing and prospective
customers, delinquencies, and overall portfolio management.
Knowledge & Skills
Expert knowledge of commercial credit, underwriting, portfolio management, and loan
operations.
Strong understanding of banking regulations and supervisory expectations.
Proven executive leadership, decision making, and change management abilities.
Exceptional communication skills with executive, board, and regulatory stakeholders.
Core Competencies
Strategic leadership and execution
Credit risk governance
Operational excellence
Regulatory and compliance leadership
Relationship management and influence
Working Conditions
Frequent multistate travel required.
Evening and community engagement activities may be necessary.
For More Information or to receive confidential consideration,
Contact AngelStewart@MccainStewart.com
