Chief Lending Officer (CLO)

The Company is seeking a Chief Lending Officer to spearhead its lending strategy and drive growth across various lending sectors, including commercial, real estate, agricultural, mortgage, and consumer lending. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a lending strategy that is in line with the company's strategic plan and community banking mission. This role requires a focus on profitable loan growth, the identification of new lending opportunities within the company's risk appetite, and the maintenance of a disciplined approach to credit quality and risk management. The Chief Lending Officer will also oversee loan origination, structuring, pricing, and relationship management, and ensure that lending practices adhere to Board-approved policies and credit standards. Applicants for the Chief Lending Officer position at the company should have a Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, with an MBA preferred. A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive lending experience within a community or regional bank is required, with a strong background in commercial and real estate lending, particularly within Michigan markets. The role demands proven leadership, relationship management, and a strong understanding of bank credit practices, FDIC regulations, and safety-and-soundness standards. The ideal candidate will have the ability to balance lending growth with disciplined credit risk management and possess strong collaboration skills with credit, compliance, operations, and executive leadership.