The Small Business Advisor is an advanced level position in the Business Banking team, and plays an integral role in the delivery of superior personalized advice based service to our internal staff and Small Business Member owners.

The position requires a mix of technical and knowledge based coaching skills related to Small Business Lending. The technical requirements include ability to quickly identify and grasp necessary supporting information, determine security values, and then demonstrate sound credit decision and security expertise. Goal is to ensure that loan requests are quickly dealt with, 1 day turnaround time. Credits are to be properly structured and secured/documented to minimize the risks of default and loan losses. The knowledge based coaching side requires the ability to relate to/mentor retail lending personnel generally in small commercial and agricultural underwriting opportunities, techniques and negotiations; then monitor portfolio performance/quality.

Working closely with Retail Branches and Business Banking, the successful individual will implement a proactive approach to sales and business development by cultivating a strong working relationship with existing and potential members, the retail branch network, local business owners, and members of the professional community.

This role plays a key role in the delivery of our full suite of financial services to our entire membership by being part of a team that encompasses our membership base. Fulfilling that role by uncovering the full financial needs of our members and referring those members to Retail Banking, Wealth Management, Business Solutions, or other partners within the fully integrated Servus network. SBAs actively participate in individual, branch, business banking and corporate campaigns.

This position supports our corporate brand by creating an environment in which our members feel at home, perceive our staff as knowledgeable, and view Servus Credit Union as a good corporate citizen. As an ambassador of our credit union they strive for excellence as a Small Business Advisor, and play a vital role in enhancing the financial well-being of our Members, and the growth and profitability of our credit union.

This role provides guidance through mentoring the professional development of others, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to delivery of services.

Sales, Marketing and Promotion

• Develop and maintain effective sales and marketing efforts to maximize Small Business loan growth, deposit growth and sales of peripheral products to help our members succeed in business.
• Achieve or exceed assigned sales.
• Participate in, and assist in the creation of Corporate and Branch campaigns, and marketing/business development plans.
• Be proactive in pursuing external/internal Business opportunities by: retention of existing member base and actively recommending new business opportunities, reviewing marketing data to determine new market potential, and leveraging opportunities with existing members through in branch/telephone communication.
• Communicate product and service information, utilize fact finding questions and professional responses to address objections; ask for the business.
• Foster business development through service excellence and product knowledge.
• Maintain a high profile and professional image in the community through COIs and community involvement.
• Take appropriate action as necessary to meet goals.

Member Experience (Adherence to our “Members First” Standards)

• Understand and be proficient in our current Business Banking and Retail Banking products and services, relevant policies, and legislation by regularly reviewing literature, attending meetings and training sessions.
• Conduct interviews with new and existing business banking members to identify their needs, goals and objectives.
• Meet the needs of members by offering sound advice that contemplates their total financial situation and their Small Business life cycle.
• Develop long term relationships based on trust that contribute to a positive member experience.
• Promote referrals to our Retail Banking, Business Banking, Business Solutions, Wealth Management and our 3rd party providers.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of the local market, competitive offers, and economic trends.

Business Banking Development

• Provide proactive advice to our internal staff and Small Business members by offering tailored solutions to meet their financial needs.
• Provide credit-based Business solutions within your Small Business lending limit and Retail solutions within your Retail lending limits.
• Differentiate between credit union and competitor products and services in terms of member needs.
• Develop and submit renewal applications, prepare consolidated information for reporting purposes to the Regional Manager, Business Banking and/or Team Lead as required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of credit union lending and deposit services and products and relevant policies and legislation by personal development, reviewing literature, working with an active coach/mentor and attending update meetings.
• Foster a positive/supportive Team Relationship with Retail Branches in the Region.
• Other duties as assigned.

Risk Management

• Assist in managing the companies lending and deposit activities including recommending rates within discretionary Retail and Business Banking limits, approving loans within prescribed lending authorities and preparing the submission of loan packages to Business Banking for loan requests above those limits.
• Evaluate requests under Small Business on the basis of policy, risk and profitability..
• Gather information necessary from the Retail Branches (where there is no Small Business Advisor coverage). Where it does not fit the RSB policy, look at risk to see if it can be approved under Small Business, complete the application and process the request for the Branch.
• Evaluate requests on the basis of policy; risk and profitability, ensuring reviews on commercial and agricultural credits are performed as required by established lending guidelines.
• Ensure security procedures are maintained.
• Spend time learning the process and detail of credit applications while helping to administer basic lending practices.

Organizational Development

• Support Retail Branches through meetings and/or conference calls on product knowledge for Small Business.
• Review and recommend changes to small commercial and agricultural lending policies to ensure lending practices remain prudent, competitive and support corporate objectives and strategies.
• Develop and distribute required information bulletins addressing emerging issues, changes to guidelines and other credit related issues.

Experience:

• Minimum five to seven years progressive experience in commercial, small business lending with basic agriculture understanding/exposure.
• Working knowledge of consumer and residential mortgage lending practices and products.
• Experience working and developing relationships with internal and external partners.

Education and Training:

As a Small Business Advisor III you are required to complete all of the courses of the Certificate in Small Business Banking Course (Moody’s Analytics) as noted below:

1. Small Business Lending (SBL)
2. Delivering Small Business Solutions (DSBS)
3. Building Relationships with Small Business Clients (BRSB)
4. Understanding Small Business Environment (USBE)

Why Servus Credit Union? We live our values in how we do business and how we treat our employees. Servus Credit Union is one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. Servus is committed to being socially responsible and living the co-operative values. Through our operations, we strive to make a positive impact on our economy, the environment and society. We know that our employees are our most valuable assets so we offer ongoing growth and career advancement and we reward employees for their hard work and achievements.