Chief Lending Officer
Pathway Bank is a $350 million and growing community bank where decisions are made locally and relationships drive results. We’re seeking a Chief Lending Officer (CLO) to lead all areas of lending — agricultural, commercial, consumer, and mortgage — while ensuring sound credit practices and long-term growth.
As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CLO will help shape the Bank’s lending strategy, develop high-performing teams, and strengthen portfolio quality across our markets.
This role offers loan incentives, semi-annual bonus potential, and the opportunity to earn a company vehicle.
The position may be based at any of our branch locations: Grand Island, Cairo, Ord, Burwell, or Lexington.
Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute long-term lending strategies that support the Bank’s goals for growth, profitability, and credit quality.
• Portfolio Management: Oversee the performance and risk profile of the loan portfolio; monitor asset quality, identify emerging risks, and ensure effective mitigation strategies.
• Credit Policy and Governance: Establish, maintain, and continuously improve prudent lending standards, underwriting guidelines, and risk-rating systems. Regularly review and update loan policies and procedures to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, internal controls, and industry best practices.
• Profitability and Growth: Analyze market trends, develop loan products and promotions, and implement initiatives to expand market share and lending volume.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Stay abreast of regulatory changes, economic trends, and industry developments; ensure adherence to all laws, regulations, and internal controls.
• Reporting: Prepare comprehensive reports for Senior Management and the Board of Directors, including portfolio performance, problem loan analysis, and risk assessments.
• Executive Collaboration: Partner with the executive leadership team on strategic planning, budgeting, and process improvement initiatives to advance organizational objectives.
Supervisor Duties:
• Lead, manage, and supervise the Lending Department, including direct supervisor of approximately 10 full-time loan officers.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture focused on customer service, compliance, and results.
• Recruit, train, and develop lending personnel to support succession planning and professional growth.
• Promote open communication, teamwork, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure operational efficiency and exceptional customer experience.
Education and Experience Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Agri-Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Preferred 10+ years of progressive experience leading lending operations, including credit policy, underwriting, and portfolio management with significant experience in agricultural, agribusiness and commercial lending required.
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred, demonstrating proven ability to lead teams, coach staff, and achieve strategic lending goals.
• Advanced banking education through ABA, NBA, or Graduate Schools of Banking preferred.
Required Skills and Abilities:
• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Deep knowledge of agricultural, commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending.
• Highly skilled in financial statement analysis, cash flow evaluation, and credit underwriting.
• Experience with loan pricing, profitability analysis, and portfolio risk management.
• Working knowledge of lending software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent analytical, strategic, and communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers, regulators, community partners and internal teams.
