Lending & Credit Audit Specialist

Summary/Objectives

The Lending and Credit Audit Specialist is responsible for providing the Internal Audit Department (IAD) with subject matter expertise with respect to the audit activities focused on the Company's lending activities, underwriting, and credit administration. The position will provide support to the IAD in its planning and execution of lending and credit related audits on the annual audit plan. In addition, the Lending and Credit Audit Specialist will participate in continuous monitoring activities focused on the quality of committee reporting, evaluating credit policy changes, and monitoring trends in loan portfolio risk metrics.

The Lending and Credit Audit Specialist position requires significant prior experience in lending and/or credit leadership roles with midsize or large financial institutions. Candidates should possess strong business acumen and general management skills.

The Lending and Credit Audit Specialist reports directly to the Deputy Chief Audit Executive and will also work closely with the Director of Internal Audit. In this role, the candidate will work with the Audit Managers during the planning and execution of lending and credit related audits and help inform the scope and focus of audits based on their experience, as well as assistance in evaluating work and conclusions. These audits include but are not limited to the Commercial, Mortgage, and Consumer Loan Origination audits, as well as Credit Administration, Loan Review, Special Assets, and specialty lending areas.

Essential Functions

• Executes project work in accordance with applicable standards, identifies significant risk management and control issues, and provides quality recommendations to management.
• Manages multiple competing priorities while ensuring deadlines are met.
• Assists the Audit Director and Audit Managers in preparing an audit approach and scope for lending and credit-focused audits.
• Works with the audit management team to identify key areas of credit risk and appropriate coverage for individual audits and builds relationships with business line stakeholders.
• Reviews quarterly reporting to the Company's credit-focused management and board-level committees to stay abreast of changes in the loan portfolio's performance and risk metrics as part of continuous monitoring activities.
• Creates quality work products such as audit analysis, client correspondence, memorandums and other working papers that document the audit procedures performed, results of those procedures, and findings in higher risk audit areas.
• Provides periodic training on important lending and credit administration subjects to members of the IAD to aid in development of the team.
• Understands and applies appropriate audit methodologies, technology, and tools in accordance with the Department's Standard Operating Procedures.
• Works with Internal Audit team in the development of creative, practical, and cost-effective recommendations for improvement of the Company.
• Assists in preparation and presentation of findings within internal audit reports.
• Participates in lending and credit-focused meetings held with the Company's regulators.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

* Education:

• An undergraduate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related business discipline is required.

* Experience:

• Minimum 20 years of lending and/or credit administration experience in banking, including at least 5 years in a senior management or executive capacity.
• Proven experience managing teams.
• Excellent communication skills with proven experience building strong relationships with executive and senior management.
• Strong underwriting and credit administration background.
• Experience in middle market lending, equipment lending, public finance, SBA lending, and special assets/workouts is considered a plus.

* Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of products, risks, and the regulatory environment related to financial services.
• Strong knowledge of loan underwriting and portfolio management.
• Basic knowledge of the role applications and information technology play in loan origination, credit underwriting, and portfolio management activities.

Training Requirements/Classes

Required annual compliance and departmental training.

Recommended Additional Training

New Hire Employee Orientation

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Must be able to stand and/or sit for long periods of time. Must be able to effectively access and interpret information on computer screens, documents, and reports.

Travel

This position requires some limited, occasional travel.