The Commercial Relationship Specialist will be responsible for the origination, maintenance, and retention of a commercial client portfolio within approved geographic lending areas. The Commercial Relationship Specialist will also be responsible for developing these client relationships to meet ongoing established portfolio growth goals. The Specialist should have functional knowledge general credit skills, commercial real estate and business lending as well as the potential to achieve a high level and detailed understanding of Fremont Bank credit, deposit and treasury products.
The Commercial Relationship Specialist will have the communication skills to clearly discuss and explain bank credit, deposit and treasury management products to current and prospective clients. The Specialist will work closely with the Credit Administration Department to provide timely closing of loans to meet established service levels in order to provide outstanding customer service to the bank's clients.
The position also requires communications (both written and verbal) with the sales group, brokers, clients and/or third parties regarding status and requirements necessary to originate and close loan transactions.
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Successful completion of training programs
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Attaining personal annual commercial lending thresholds
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Supports unit's growth and profitability through calling on existing and potential clients
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Identifies business needs and corresponding sales opportunities bank wide
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Works closely with Wealth Management, Treasury, Cash Management and other major areas of the bank to promote sales and implementation of complete suite of financial products and services
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Provides assistance to clients with transactions by contacting appropriate department
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Acts as a liaison between clients and other departments
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Maintains thresholds around retention and growth of portfolio
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Facilitates approval decisions on loans and terms within lending limits
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Makes recommendations to appropriate lending authority
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Negotiates terms and conditions of loans with clients
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Attends commercial lending department sales meetings as required
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Responsible for collection of past due loans in their portfolio
Executive Summary
The Commercial Relationship Specialist (CRS) Development Plan is an 18–24‑month structured program designed to build a sustainable, high‑quality talent pipeline within Commercial Lending. The program equips new CRSs with the technical knowledge, sales capabilities, and relationship‑management skills required to successfully transition into a Commercial Relationship Manager (CRM) role. Through a combination of formal training, hands‑on portfolio exposure, and ongoing mentorship, participants develop a comprehensive understanding of Fremont Bank’s credit philosophies, lending products, sales processes, and client‑experience expectations.
The program focuses on developing core competencies in financial analysis, commercial real estate and business lending, loan origination, portfolio management, cross‑functional collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to cross-sell by confidently speaking to products and services across the bank. CRSs will gain the ability to analyze borrower financials, structure and recommend credit solutions, present lending requests to credit committees, and articulate Fremont Bank’s credit, deposit, and treasury management offerings to clients and prospects. Participants engage closely with Senior CRMs, Credit Administration, and key operational teams to ensure they learn how to efficiently navigate the bank’s credit and sales workflows while delivering a high‑quality client experience.
At its core, the CRS Development Plan serves as a strategic workforce‑planning initiative. By identifying and developing high‑potential talent, the program strengthens the organization’s bench for client‑facing commercial roles, reduces ramp‑up time for future CRMs, and ensures consistency in credit quality, portfolio growth, and relationship management. Upon program completion, CRSs are expected to demonstrate the skills, judgment, and professionalism required for promotion into the CRM role and to contribute meaningfully to Fremont Bank’s long‑term commercial lending growth and client‑service excellence.
Program Description
1. Summary of Responsibilities:
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Refer to the Roles and Responsibilities section for core responsibilities. In addition to those duties, the CRS will support client relationship development, assist in loan origination and portfolio management, strengthen foundational credit skills, and learn to navigate Fremont Bank’s sales and credit processes.
2. Product Knowledge:
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Develop a working understanding of all Fremont Bank products and services.
3. Sales and Credit Process Navigation:
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Learn to efficiently navigate Fremont Bank’s credit and sales processes to support timely and accurate deal execution.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
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Work closely with CRM’s, credit analysts, loan operations and treasury management to ensure exceptional client experience and deal execution
5. Client Relationship Development:
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Support CRMs in developing, managing, and expanding client relationships by identifying client needs, recommending appropriate structures, and referring opportunities to the appropriate business partners.
6. Loan Origination and Portfolio Management:
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Assist in originating new commercial loans through prospecting activities such as cold calling. Partner with senior CRMs to help manage portfolios, participate in sales calls, review incoming loan requests, and form preliminary recommendations.
7. Credit Analysis and Presentation:
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Build foundational credit skills in both real estate and C&I lending by reviewing and creating spreads of financial statements, assessing creditworthiness, and preparing credit presentations for respective committees.
8. Key Duties:
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Attend and contribute to client meetings, perform financial spreads, assist in preparing and presenting credit memorandums, track documentation and closing milestones, support monitoring activities, participate in sales origination efforts (cold calls, emails, door‑to‑door outreach), attend credit workshops and ABA,RMA and CBA training, shadow senior CRMs, and review both funded and new loan requests to form recommendations.
9. Expected Outcomes:
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By the end of the 18-24 month development program, the CRS is expected to:
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Demonstrate readiness for promotion to Commercial Relationship Manager
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Originate and support real estate and C&I transactions
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Build a strong internal network
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Manage a portfolio
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Confidently present credit memorandums to respective committees
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Structure and recommend loan requests using financial analysis
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Master bank systems and processes
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Receive positive feedback and performance evaluations
1. Education:
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Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
2. Experience:
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1–3 years of banking experience, or prior internship/rotational experience within a financial institution.
3. Technical Skills:
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Basic understanding of financial statements, credit risk principles, and loan structuring. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
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Ability to interact professionally with clients and internal partners.
5. Analytical & Organizational Abilities:
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High attention to detail, sound judgment, and effective problem‑solving and time‑management skills.
6. Professionalism:
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Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a professional demeanor while upholding Fremont Bank’s values and ethical standards.
7. Preferred Experience:
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Experience supporting commercial lending teams
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Exposure to commercial credit underwriting
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Hands‑on experience reviewing or preparing credit memos
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Familiarity with bank products and services
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Prior client‑facing experience
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Completion of formal credit training
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Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements
8. Skills & Competencies:
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Credit and financial statement analysis
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Relationship management support
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Business acumen
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Communication and client‑service orientation
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Teamwork and collaboration
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Time management and adaptability
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Systems and technology proficiency
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Professional representation internally and externally
9. Certifications:
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No specific certifications required
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Formal credit training is preferred
Completion of this program does not guarantee promotion, selection for the CRM role, or advancement to any other position within the Company. All hiring and promotion decisions will continue to be made in accordance with Company policies, applicable laws, and organizational needs. Participation in this program does not alter the at‑will employment relationship or create any contractual rights, expressed or implied.
