Description
The Anderson Search Group has been engaged by a community bank just under $1bn in assets to identify its first Chief Lending Officer.
This is a newly created executive leadership position resulting from the bank's growth and expansion into additional markets, including Chicago. The Chief Lending Officer will be based in Detroit and assume responsibility for leading the bank's commercial lending organization across Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago, with the potential to support additional markets as the bank continues to expand.
This is not a purely administrative CLO position. Our client is looking for a working lending executive who can lead from the front, develop business, coach lenders, establish accountability and help build the commercial bank for its next stage of growth.
The Opportunity
The Chief Lending Officer will lead approximately eight Commercial Lenders across the bank's current footprint and will be responsible for establishing and driving team production expectations.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Lead, coach and develop Commercial Lenders across Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago
- Establish individual and team production goals
- Hold bankers accountable for loan, deposit, fee-income and credit-quality performance
- Recruit and develop commercial banking talent as the organization grows
- Maintain an active presence with clients, prospects and COIs
- Carry personal production/business-development responsibility
- Help bankers structure and develop commercial relationships
- Partner closely with Credit Administration and executive leadership
- Establish consistency and accountability across three distinct markets
- Travel regularly between Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago
- Help shape the commercial banking strategy as First Independence enters additional markets
The bank specifically wants someone willing to roll up their sleeves, make decisions and hold the team accountable, rather than an executive who simply manages from above.
Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate could be an existing Chief Lending Officer, but prior CLO title is not required.
Our client is very interested in accomplished Senior Commercial Lenders, SVP-level lenders and Commercial Lending Team Leaders who have demonstrated leadership capability and are ready to take the next step into an enterprise-level role.
Strong candidates should bring:
- Significant commercial banking and lending experience
- Strong credit foundation and demonstrated credit judgment
- Proven commercial production
- Experience leading, coaching and holding lenders accountable
- Ability to establish and manage team production goals
- Experience across C&I and commercial real estate
- Ability to develop loans, deposits and broader commercial relationships
- Strong executive presence and ability to work with senior leadership and the Board
- Experience operating across multiple markets preferred
- Willingness to travel regularly throughout the bank's footprint
- Entrepreneurial mindset suited to a growing community bank
Why This Opportunity Is Different
This is the first Chief Lending Officer in the bank's history. The position was created because our client has grown and expanded its geographic footprint, most recently into Chicago.
The person hired will have an opportunity to put their fingerprints on the lending organization rather than simply inherit a mature structure.
There is also meaningful longer-term career potential. The bank expects continued organizational growth and anticipates adding additional executive leadership as it expands. The client specifically indicated that the CLO could potentially develop into broader COO or President-level responsibility over time, although that advancement is not guaranteed.
Compensation
Base salary: Low-to-mid $200Ks, depending upon experience.
The bank is finalizing the incentive structure for this position. It is expected to include performance-based incentive compensation, with final details to be confirmed.
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Travel: Regular travel to Minneapolis and Chicago, with additional travel as the bank expands.
