AJ Consultants has been retained by MVB Bank to find their next Chief Credit Officer. MVB is a multistate, multi-billion community bank, with national reach that sits on the cutting edge of bank technology, fintech and traditional bank offerings.

DESCRIPTION:

Under the administration direction of the President and the functional direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Credit Officer (CCO) is responsible for overseeing the bank’s credit strategy, policies, and operations to ensure sound credit practices and risk management.  The CCO develops and implements credit policies, ensures regulatory compliance, manages credit risk, and leads credit operations to support the bank’s lending goals.  Additionally, this role assures documentation is in compliance with loan committee approvals and state and federal regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement the bank’s credit strategy and risk management program in alignment with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Collaborate with the executive team to define lending goals and ensure alignment with market opportunities.
• Provide strategic direction for the bank’s credit portfolio, ensuring a balance between growth and risk management.
• Establish, monitor and enforce credit policies, underwriting standards and risk management procedures.

• Partner with the lending team to research, evaluate and develop policies and procedures for new lending lines of business in connection with the strategic plan.

• Maintain a comprehensive credit risk management policy and ensure appropriate communication of, and compliance with, the policies included within.
• Maintain a comprehensive and consistently applied Underwriting Program applicable to all company activities that generate credit exposure.
• Maintain a comprehensive and consistently applied loan risk grading system in compliance with regulatory guidance.
• Maintain a comprehensive Portfolio Management Program to ensure adequate and timely risk mitigation with respect to existing asset portfolios.
• Oversee the evaluation and management of credit risks across all lending products, ensuring the quality of the loan portfolio.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate emerging risks to protect the bank’s assets and reputation.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews to assess performance, identify trends, and recommend adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including state, federal, and industry specific lending requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies, auditors, and other external stakeholders regarding credit operations.
• Keep the Board of Directors, board committees and senior leadership informed of regulatory changes affecting credit practices.
• Oversee underwriting, loan approval, and credit monitoring process to maintain high standards of efficiency and accuracy.
• Develop and implement credit scoring models and other tools to improve decision-making.
• Collaborate with lending teams to structure deals that meet client needs while managing risk effectively.
• Lead and mentor the credit department, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellent performance.
• Develop and provide training and development opportunities and programs to enhance the skills and expertise of staff.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to align credit operations with broader business objectives.

• Ensure departmental functions are fully compliant and meet all regulatory requirements.
• Perform economic and industry research.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of credit-related experience, including leadership responsibilities within a financial institution.
• Proven track record in credit risk management, loan underwriting, and regulatory compliance.
• Deep understanding of lending practices, credit analysis, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of banking regulations, credit products, and industry trends.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in credit management software and other financial tools.
• Excellent technical report writing skills and knowledge.
• Working knowledge of all industries to which the Bank extends credit.