Credit Specialist

Why FirstOntario?

• Competitive compensation packages
• Top-tier health and wellness benefits, including comprehensive benefits packages and health spending account
• Enhanced mental health benefits through SunLife and TELUS Health
• Exclusive banking benefits
• Up to $1000 per year towards professional development
• Pension Plan
• Company-wide Employee Volunteer program (Blue Wave Program)
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
  
  

Job Overview

The Credit Specialist supports FirstOntario's Retail Banking teams by developing, maintaining and delivering advanced credit competency programs in the areas of analysis, deal structuring, underwriting and approving. The role is accountable for increasing Retail's overall credit competency, improving Retail's lending efficiency and speed to approve and reducing error rates during the lending process.

• Drive the continued growth and development of Retail lenders and leaders in all areas of the credit process, strengthening their lending acumen and elevating the overall credit competency of the retail team
• Develop and maintain an advanced lending competency program designed to build the lending skills and overall acumen of the Retail Banking team
• Help lenders build the skills needed to work independently and make decisions quickly
• Provide direct support to Retail staff for complex deal structuring as necessary with alignment to FirstOntario's credit policies
• Keep up to date with current lending policies, guidelines and pricing both within FirstOntario and more generally within the broader industry
• Manage a Lending Limit program and hold lenders accountable to achieving key lending limit milestones within designated timelines
• Support and sustain a strong risk culture around credit risk awareness, ensuring teams remain proactive and informed of emerging and existing risks within the borrowing process
• Support building and strengthening core lending capabilities across the retail workforce by guiding the development of both new and existing employees as required
• Be a subject matter expert providing support for both the development of and participation in pre-approval programs including credit card, overdraft and various lending offers
• Advocate for process improvements and efficiencies within FirstOntario's Lending program while also serving as a subject matter expert on any credit-related projects as required
  
  

Requirements

• Hold a post-secondary degree or diploma in business, economics or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience
• Minimum of five (5) years' progressive lending experience in the financial services industry in roles related to underwriting, credit management, employee development and sales
• Exceptional knowledge of mortgages including conventional, high ratio insured and ALT-A mortgages as well as Home Equity Lines of Credit, personal loans and lines of credit
• Have maintained credit limits for no less than two (2) years
• Holds an in-depth knowledge and understanding of retail lending, services and underwriting practices
• Demonstrated proficiency in underwriting, credit analysis and complex deal structuring in all retail lending-related areas including construction mortgages, 2nd/3rd mortgages and multifaceted personal income and credit scenarios
• Skilled at analyzing financial statements, assessing risk and loan decision making
• Ability to think strategically and solve complex lending issues in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical skills to assess loan portfolios, identify training gaps and track the effectiveness of coaching efforts
• Ability to develop and maintain learning materials, resources and tools to support ongoing skill development
• Must be a capable coach and possess strong interpersonal skills, people-development skills and communication skills
• Proficient at both navigating and training to the sales process with a firm focus on providing meaningful and relevant solutions for members specifically tailored to their unique needs
• Passionate about the success of others while coaching to adherence of all related regulations, legislation, policies and procedures
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Proficient using MS Office Suite, working knowledge of banking systems (T24) is considered an asset
• Working knowledge of CRIterion, EMILI, Low Ratio EMILI considered an asset
• Must be willing to travel as required
  
  

This is a permanent hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be comfortable with travel across our locations. Will be discussed further in interview.

Interested in this role, but don't meet every requirement? We encourage you to apply! We know from experience that a candidate doesn't need 100% of the qualifications listed to bring incredible value to our team. We're actively seeking diverse backgrounds and perspectives to help make FirstOntario better. At FirstOntario, inclusion, diversity, and equity aren't just "nice to have" - they're essential to our success.

Our inclusive work environment welcomes diversity and supports accessibility. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.