About the job Chief Credit Officer (CCO) – Commercial Lending
Position Summary
The Chief Credit Officer (CCO) – Commercial Lending is responsible for establishing and overseeing the credit risk management framework for the commercial lending portfolio. The CCO provides strategic leadership for credit underwriting, portfolio management, credit policy, risk governance, and loan administration while ensuring the organization maintains a balanced approach between growth, profitability, and risk management.
The role serves as the senior executive responsible for the quality, performance, and integrity of the commercial credit portfolio and plays a critical role in protecting the institution's asset quality and capital position.
Key Responsibilities
Credit Strategy & Governance
Develop and implement the organization's commercial credit strategy aligned with overall business objectives.
Establish and maintain credit risk appetite, lending standards, and credit governance frameworks.
Lead the development and periodic review of credit policies, procedures, and underwriting guidelines.
Ensure consistency in credit decision-making across all lending segments.
Provide independent credit oversight and challenge to business line decisions.
Commercial Credit Risk Management
Oversee credit risk across commercial lending portfolios, including:
Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Lending
Commercial Real Estate (CRE)
Corporate Banking
Middle Market Lending
Small Business Lending
Specialized Industry Lending
Syndicated and Structured Finance Transactions
Monitor portfolio quality, concentrations, and emerging credit risks.
Implement risk mitigation strategies and portfolio diversification initiatives.
Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis on lending portfolios.
Credit Underwriting & Approval
Oversee commercial underwriting standards and credit approval processes.
Chair or participate in senior credit committees.
Review and approve large, complex, or high-risk lending transactions.
Ensure robust financial analysis, risk assessment, and covenant structures.
Maintain disciplined credit approval and exception management practices.
Portfolio Management & Asset Quality
Monitor portfolio performance, delinquency trends, and credit quality indicators.
Oversee criticized and classified asset management programs.
Develop strategies to manage problem loans and workout situations.
Ensure timely identification and escalation of deteriorating credit exposures.
Monitor sector, geographic, and borrower concentration risks.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
Ensure compliance with banking regulations, lending laws, and regulatory guidance.
Coordinate credit examinations and regulatory reviews.
Maintain strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders.
Ensure appropriate documentation, controls, and governance standards.
Credit Analytics & Reporting
Develop portfolio reporting, risk dashboards, and management information systems.
Monitor key credit metrics and portfolio trends.
Present credit risk assessments and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
Support capital planning and allowance methodologies.
Oversee portfolio stress testing and risk modeling activities.
Special Assets & Remediation
Lead strategies for managing distressed assets and workout portfolios.
Oversee restructuring, recovery, and collection activities.
Coordinate with legal, restructuring, and external advisory teams.
Minimize losses and maximize recoveries on non-performing assets.
Leadership & Talent Development
Lead and develop commercial credit teams and senior credit professionals.
Promote a culture of sound credit judgment and risk discipline.
Mentor future credit leaders and support succession planning.
Foster collaboration between risk, lending, operations, legal, and compliance functions.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Banking, or a related discipline.
Master's degree (MBA, Finance, Economics, or Risk Management) preferred.
Professional Certifications
Preferred certifications include:
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
Credit Risk Certification (CRC)
Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)
Experience
15+ years of commercial banking and credit risk management experience.
Significant experience managing large commercial lending portfolios.
Proven track record in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and risk governance.
Experience chairing or serving on senior credit committees.
Strong understanding of regulatory expectations and commercial banking practices.
Experience managing complex credit structures and distressed assets.
Technical Competencies
Commercial Credit Risk Management
Credit Underwriting
Portfolio Risk Management
Commercial Real Estate Lending
Corporate Banking
Financial Statement Analysis
Cash Flow & Debt Service Analysis
Credit Structuring
Risk Rating Methodologies
Problem Loan Management
Loan Review & Quality Assurance
Credit Policy Development
Stress Testing & Scenario Analysis
Regulatory Compliance
Credit Risk Analytics
Leadership Competencies
Strategic Leadership
Risk-Based Decision Making
Executive Presence
Credit Judgment
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation & Influence
Problem Solving
Team Development
Governance & Oversight
Change Management
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Ratio
Net Charge-Off Ratio
Credit Loss Rate
Portfolio Risk Rating Distribution
Commercial Loan Growth
Portfolio Concentration Levels
Recovery Rates on Problem Assets
Regulatory Examination Results
Credit Approval Turnaround Time
Risk Appetite Compliance