Job Description

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.

Requirements

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.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs