Commercial Closing Officer I (Open to Hiring w/in the M&T Footprint)

Responsible for ensuring completion and delivery of the Bank’s commercial closing capabilities for all assigned loans.  Position serves as the first line of defense (1LoD), adhering to the necessary controls, to mitigate unnecessary exposure to risk. Works as part of the account relationship team/deal team with the specific responsibility to arrange for each loan to be documented and closed with the correct borrowing parties and per the agreed upon collateral and deal terms approved in an accurate and timely manner.

• Validates that Loan Closing Documentation and all pre-closing Due Diligence Requirements have been met for each loan and align with approved credit terms and regulatory requirements and are properly reflected in the commercial loan system.
• Reviews, interprets, and validates the loan documentation for each unique loan, assuring key provisions are documented as per M&T Legal guidance and as advised in the Outside Counsel Manual.
• Completes the Commercial Closing Checklist, ensuring all required documents are complete and necessary data to close, fund and book have been captured correctly within established deadlines. Submits competed Commercial Closing Checklist to Senior Closing Officer for review and to obtain ‘Clear to Close’.
• Follows up with approved Bank counsel (as appropriate), as well as other Bank partners, to finalize the documenting, funding, and booking of the loan in accordance with Bank policies and procedures.
• Partners with designated team and other internal and external stakeholders to address discrepancies/issues found during due diligence, loan documentation, loan closing and review processes. Escalates issues as appropriate. Coordinates with co-workers and Team Leader to troubleshoot and resolve escalated problem situations, exception requests, and deviations from day-to-day business processes. Communicates and partners effectively with co-workers, working as a team player, and helping to create a positive team environment.
• Obtains confirmation of loan closing, and of the satisfactory review of executed loan documents from Senior Closing Specialist and arranges and confirms loan funding and booking.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of processes, procedures and escalation guidance related to deliver accurate, timely and complete closing capabilities.
• Manages time to be able to meet deadlines while potentially working with multiple partners on multiple and/or concurrent closing requests, including being able to work with partners on ‘last minute’ modifications. Notifies Team Leader when support and escalation is needed.
• Assists and provides back up to other closing team members when necessary to fulfill incoming or in process requests.
• Attends regularly scheduled departmental training calls to maintain current knowledge of procedures, regulatory updates, and commercial products.
• Reports customer complaints to the Office of Customer Advocacy as appropriate.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Promotes an environment that supports a culture of belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Completes other related duties as assigned.

The Commercial Closing capabilities include the following five functions: 1) validation of pre-close due diligence items, 2) arranging for and reviewing commercial loan documentation, 3) confirming alignment of the credit approval, loan documents and the loan system, along with finalizing the settlement sheet, the loan closing, and review of executed documents, 4) arranging and confirming loan funding, and 5) completion and submission of required data for loan booking followed by conducting and documenting a post-closing review. 

Incumbent works as part of the account relationship team/deal team to build strong customer relationships while preserving the Bank’s strong credit culture, with the specific responsibility of this role being to close each loan to the correct borrowing parties and per the agreed upon collateral and  deal terms approved, in an accurate and timely manner, and while assuring and working with approved Bank counsel (as appropriate), and documenting the loan in accordance with Bank policies and procedures, enabling and confirming funding and booking as well as validating key information both pre and post-closing.

None

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two (2) years related commercial loan closing,

commercial loan documentation, commercial loan operations, or commercial loan administration

experience or in lieu of a degree, a combined six (6) years’ higher education and/or work

experience, with a minimum of two (2) years related commercial loan closing,

commercial loan documentation, commercial loan operations, or commercial loan administration

experience.

Knowledge of the commercial closing process and procedures, loan documentation, loan policy, applicable regulations, and affiliated technology.

Strong detail orientation for use examining information and identifying and resolving or escalating issues.

Strong interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization.

Ability to work individually as well as a member of a team.

Self-motivated, well-organized individual.

Ability to work under time constraints and handle multiple tasks in support of various assignments.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

Familiarity with Loan Approvals and Escalation/Exception Requirements, and potentially other approvals needed for closing.

Knowledge of unit/department policies and procedures.

Knowledge of applicable products, systems, and workflows.

Paralegal experience helpful as well as experience in lending operations, underwriting and customer service.