Letter of Credit & Specialty Coordinator

Job Summary

This individual will be responsible for supporting all functional activities of the Letter of Credit portfolios for Commercial and Small Business Lending across the Northwest Bank footprint. This role will prepare all associated applications, reimbursement agreements, guarantees, pledge and security agreements, etc. necessary to support the underwriting requirements defined in Credit memo. Issue, amend, renew, examine draws, and process maintenance activities for standby Letters of Credit and conduct international trade transactions for import and export Letters of Credit.

Individual will also assist the Specialty Loan Operations, which currently includes deals originated via Corporate Finance, Sponsor Finance, Sports Finance, Restaurant Franchise and Secondary Market lending areas. Such tasks may include administrative support transactions associated with participated, syndicated, and indirect commercial and/or Small Business loans.

This individual must be able to adhere to several different process flows and multifarious documentation and be responsible to mitigate operational risks. Must manage time constraints and meet both internal and external customer expectations while applying superior analytical skills and advanced Letter of Credit and loan documentation knowledge to each transaction.

Essential Functions

• Issue and amend all Letters of Credit in accordance with Northwest policies, procedures, and industry standards. Structure the terms and conditions of each Letter of Credit and amendment while preparing all required operations' checklists, system forms and instruction for proper compliance, legal, and core system risk mitigation. Coordinate and curative actions required by independent review
• Examine standby Letter of Credit documents presented for payment in accordance with global/standard banking rules of practice and law to determine payment or refusal. Complete all processing for honored payments across multiple systems and applications
• Prepare and review all Letter of Credit documentation from numerous origination sources, such as LaserPro, Global Trade, SyndTrak, LaswyerPro and other utilized sources. Interpreting complex credit agreements and related documents working with business partners in commercial lending, portfolio management and closing desk
• Review and understand thoroughly approved credit memos defining the terms and conditions for issuance and amending of Letters of Credit; coordinate and confirm due diligence activities
• Initiate auto extension notifications, requests for credit approvals for satisfaction of all SOX controls and processing of Letters of Credit with auto extension provisions adhering to all commercial credit policies
• Process all early cancellations, expirations and associated collateral release functions for Letter of Credit
• Perform activities related to Letter of Credit core system set-up, fee payment, calculation, reconcilement, etc. to ensure accurate reporting of data
• Act as point of contact between lender, underwriter, portfolio manager, client and closing desk to provide clear guidance and transparency for each Letter of Credit process. Conduct and participate in collaborative calls as an essential Northwest team member for the product
• Understand the application of International Chamber of Commerce publications ISP98, UCP600, URC522, ISBP to Letters of Credit and other trade service products
• Transact import and export Letter of Credit and documentary collection processing utilizing the banks correspondent partner Global Trade application system. Provide all necessary on-boarding data, forms, certifications necessary for new client compliance adherence
• Support requested loan advances received from lead banks under participation and syndicated loan facilities. Process maintenance transactions such as annual review date, maturity dates, etc. and other tasks as assigned
• Coordinate the post-closing review of all Letters of Credit meeting the banks policies and procedures. Coordinate any curative actions required by the independent review
• Read and interpret complex legal credit agreements and related documents, working with multiple attorneys for the bank and borrower
• Prepare all required documentation for the issuance and amending of Letters of Credit in accordance with Northwest and industry standards for the product
• Initiate renewal notifications, request for credit approvals for satisfaction of all controls and processing of Letters of Credit with automatic extension provisions
• Understand the structure of various deals between participations (both lead and bought), assignments, syndications, and other specialty funding requirements and apply the appropriate processes specific to the deal
• Understand the application of the ISP98, UCP600, URC522 to Letters of Credit and other trade service products
• Prepare and execute loan modifications and annual reviews as needed for the Specialty portfolio
• Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

Education and Experience preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Business Law, or Paralegal Program
• 3-5 years of Commercial real estate lending experience
• 3-5 years of loan closing and documentation function in law firm
• 3-5 years of experience in title company closing commercial loans

The pay range for this position is generally $22 - $30 per hour. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the successful candidate's experience, skills, and knowledge. Additional bonus earning opportunities and benefits are also available.