Relationship Manager, Middle Market Lending

Alma Bank, headquartered in Long Island City, New York and having 13 branches located throughout Queens, NYC, New Jersey, Brooklyn and the Bronx, brings personal service back to personal banking. We have genuine banking professionals ready to serve our customers, and offer a full range of products and services. Alma delivers a private banking style experience to our business banking customers. Come join our winning team!

Alma Bank is currently looking to hire an experienced Relationship Manager, Middle Market Lending

Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000

• Summary:

The role focuses on strategically establishing and sustaining a middle market lending presence within the NYC metropolitan area. Using a relationship management approach with strong credit expertise, the Group will deliver tailored financial solutions to middle market companies across various industries within Alma Bank's geographic footprint.

This role will excel in credit analysis and core banking activities, such as account openings and treasury management services, to position Alma Bank as a trusted advisor. The goal is to build long-term, sound credit relationships while maximizing the Bank's return.

Target Market

• Industries: Professional services, manufacturing, wholesaling, importing, and nonprofit social services.
• Revenue Range: $25MM–$200MM (exceptions based on operating margins and debt levels).
• Ideal Clients: Companies with working capital facilities over $2MM, owner-occupied mortgages or fixed asset financing, full operating deposits, and treasury management usage.

Performance Metrics

• Maintain a 25-40% deposit-to-loan ratio, with pricing aligned to credit risk, funding, and fee returns.

Marketing Approach

Leverage proven marketing strategies to position Alma Bank as a leader in middle market lending and enhance brand awareness.

Daily Responsibilities Include the Following:

• Frequent contact and networking with partners and directors of various mid-tier CPA firms headquartered out of New York Metro and Northern NJ. These firms are typically on the books of most of our existing middle market clients.
• Build upon past relationships with former clients at previous banking institutions. Focus will be on generating organic full relationships.
• Become a full relationship banking partner with each client we onboard, surrounding them with as many complimentary day to day banking products as needed, ensuring that the Bank is entrenched with each Company over the long term.
• Lending: Our primary focus will be on working capital financing, through the issuance of Lines of Credit, to support day to day financing needs. These lines will vary in size between $2MM and $20MM, and will vary in structure depending on the strength of each client, applying lending formulas, covenant structure and reporting requirements as needed. Commitment and usage fees will be assessed, where applicable.
• As a part of maintaining the overall banking relationship, we will also seek to provide fixed asset financing, for acquisitions of property and equipment, as well as refinancing and improvements of same. Loan sizes will vary, but will typically exist between $1MM and $20MM. If a borrower is qualified, we will also seek to acquire direct placement tax exempt bonds to avail the borrower of a lower rate, while also managing the Bank's tax position.
• Deposits: The Lender will focus on the Bank's existing product set, and will market it accordingly to its prospective clients. An emphasis will be placed on non-interest-bearing operating accounts over other interest-bearing deposit products.
• Treasury Mgmt.: The full use of Treasury Management products and services, as applicable, will be required for each client of the group.
• Ability to sell effectively to prospects and clients. Manage and retain existing clients. Work closely with internal contacts to service clients. Works under moderate supervision.
• Active, frequent calling on prospects and existing clients to understand how macro & microeconomic trends are impacting operations, and ensuring that the existing suite of products are adequately structured for each client's operations.
• Working actively with our credit partners to assess and underwrite each company's risk, as well as structure/modify existing financing to fit the Bank's desired risk profile.
• Frequent interaction/communication with the Bank's branch network and treasury management specialists, to ensure an in depth understanding of the Bank's product suite and day to day usage.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in finance, business, accounting, or economics.
• Industry Experience: 3-5 years of related experience in commercial and industrial lending, preferably within the middle market segment.
• Credit Knowledge: In-depth understanding of credit analysis, financial statement interpretation, and risk assessment.
• Regulatory Awareness: Familiarity with banking regulations, compliance standards, and loan documentation requirements.
• Market Expertise: Strong understanding of the local market, including economic drivers, industry trends, and competitive landscape.

Skills

• Analytical Skills: Ability to assess financial performance, identify credit risks, and structure loans accordingly.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication for clear presentation of credit memos, proposals, and client interactions.
• Relationship Management: Proven ability to develop and nurture client relationships to drive business growth.
• Sales and Networking: Adept at prospecting new business opportunities and leveraging existing networks to generate leads.
• Technical Proficiency: Comfortable with financial modeling software, CRM tools, and banking platforms.

Abilities

• Strategic Thinking: Capable of aligning client needs with tailored financial solutions to maximize bank returns.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizes client satisfaction while balancing the bank's credit risk and profitability goals.
• Problem Solving: Skilled at resolving complex client needs with innovative financial solutions.
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple clients and deals simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership Potential: Management experience preferred for future growth opportunities in leading a C&I lending team.

Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000